Affordable Housing and its Impact on Communities and Families (original) (raw)
Related papers
Housing in the broader context in the United States
Housing Policy Debate, 1995
Housing is central to participation in the economic mainstream, yet housing policy has been fragmented by competing, if not contradictory, goals. This article proposes an expanded policy that incorporates a stronger link between housing and economic inequality. Through examples, it argues that housing policy should be a tool for economic development, strengthening families, and building community.
Making the case for affordable housing: Connecting housing with health and education outcomes
Journal of Planning Literature, 2007
As advocates push for inclusion of affordable housing beyond the central city, siting battles have become increasingly common. Opponents often claim that affordable housing brings no net benefits to the community, and that it threatens neighborhood property values. This review considers existing evidence regarding the relationship between provision of quality affordable housing and benefits to the larger community. Evidence is considered in the areas of health and education. Given the high level of public concern with these two issues, evidence of benefits could be especially potent in public discussions of affordable housing. Future research is proposed in each area.
Housing and Social Issues: A Cross Disciplinary Review of the Existing Literature
Journal of Real Estate Literature
Research conducted in North America over the last three decades is summarized in this article to explore the multidimensional nature of housing affordability and the negative social consequences that can result from failing to ensure appropriate housing options are available for low and moderate income families. Social implications of neighborhood quality, homeownership, public housing, housing quality, and homelessness are all considered within the context of public education, community health, and criminal activity. The literature review is not only intended to inform policymakers involved in affordable housing programs, but also to encourage real estate developers to consider innovative ways to increase the supply of affordable rental and owner-occupied housing in ways that are both profitable and socially responsible. Acknowledgments: The authors would like to thank the Charlotte Housing Authority (CHA) for the generous financial support it provided for this project, as well as ...
Purpose: The purpose of this research was threefold. First, scholarly literature was examined to identify three major goals of affordable housing. Second, polices and policy tools used to address affordable housing were identified from the literature. Finally, policy advocates and developers in Austin, Texas, were sent a questionnaire designed to assess their attitudes and opinions regarding policy and policy tools regarding the first two goals. Methodology: This study was descriptive in nature, as the literature failed to provide a comprehensive set of policies and policy tools best suited for accomplishing the goal of affordable housing. Eighty Housing advocates and developers were surveyed to assess their attitudes and opinions in light of the three goals developed from the research to meet the goals of affordable housing. As such, this research fills the gap by connecting the major goals of affordable housing with commonly used policies and policy tools. In addition to making this connection, this research also offers a guide for increasing and preserving affordable housing units. Results: The responses for survey questions indicate that commonly used policies and policy tools aid in providing access to affordable housing for all income groups, the preservation of existing affordable housing stock and improving access to affordable housing for disadvantaged communities. However, some policy and policy tools, were identified to be more successful or favored than others for meeting particular goals
2006
Households with “worst case needs” for housing assistance are defined as unassisted renters with very low incomes (below 50 percent of area median income—AMI) who pay more than half of their income for housing or live in severely substandard housing. In 2003, 5.18 million verylowincome households in the United States had worst case needs. The proportion of American families that had worst case needs was 4.89 percent. In Federal law, “extremely low income” households have incomes below 30 percent of AMI. 77 percent of families with worst case needs have extremely low incomes; conversely, nearly twothirds of extremely lowincome renter households have worst case needs. 36 percent of households with worst case needs have children; 22 percent are elderly; 10 percent have nonelderly members with disabilities. Over half of households with worst case needs are nonHispanic white. The number of Hispanic households with worst case needs rose from 2001 to 2003 by about 250,000 households;...