Rental housing assistance is seen as a primary measure to reduce residential mobility of poor families. Rental housing assistance bridges the gap between the cost of housing and what the family can afford. On an average the length of tenancy for households receiving rental housing assistance is six years according to HUD. However in New York City the median length is 16 years for young tenants and 23 years for middle aged tenants.
The issue lies in the fact that fewer than 13 million lowest income households who are eligible for rental housing assistance actually receive it due to insufficient funds. Also new investment in rental housing has been sparse. Changes in Federal policy too have reduced the potential for rental housing assistance.
Friday, August 20, 2010
#17
Section 502 rural homeownership program represents the largest homeownership program oriented to construction for low-income houses. In addition the HOME program may provide greater support for construction of units for first time, low-income home buyers. The HOME program was created in 1990 and all funds in this program targeted for rental assistance are aimed at households with incomes under 60 percent of the median income.
HUD also has incorporated various urban homestead programs under which properties which have defaulted on their HUD insurance were recycled to low-income families. One of many such programs is HOPE 3 (Home Ownership for People Everywhere). This program requires that recycled properties be made available to families with incomes no more than 80 percent of the median income.
HUD also has incorporated various urban homestead programs under which properties which have defaulted on their HUD insurance were recycled to low-income families. One of many such programs is HOPE 3 (Home Ownership for People Everywhere). This program requires that recycled properties be made available to families with incomes no more than 80 percent of the median income.
#16
In National Survey of Americas families on welfare recipients show that:
Families who abandon welfare tend to retain housing assistance benefits, while current and former recipients with housing assistance tend to be more disadvantaged. Families with housing assistance have less immediate family support and more impediments to work. While housing assistance reduced housing costs and crowding, families still report a high level of hardship.
Housing assistance can make a positive difference in moving families from welfare to work. However housing assistance does not make a difference in families’ perspectives about their economic wellbeing.
Families who abandon welfare tend to retain housing assistance benefits, while current and former recipients with housing assistance tend to be more disadvantaged. Families with housing assistance have less immediate family support and more impediments to work. While housing assistance reduced housing costs and crowding, families still report a high level of hardship.
Housing assistance can make a positive difference in moving families from welfare to work. However housing assistance does not make a difference in families’ perspectives about their economic wellbeing.
#15
There is sufficient evidence that lack of affordable housing has direct impacts on health of individuals and adds to healthcare costs. More than half of the homeless people suffer from psychiatric or substance abuse disorders. There is a high level of services use amongst this group. They might also use additional and more costly services like emergency rooms compared to those who have stable residences.
Instances where veterans have not only suffered physically but also mentally due to chronic homelessness have shown to increase costs of health services. In a study conducted by the Veteran Affairs (VA), 9,108 veterans were identified as being acutely psychiatric and had a history of substance abuse. Out of this 34.9% were identified as homeless, and 50.9 % had lived in a rental apartment or a room. The rest were either living in an institution or had unknown residence. Most of them suffered from schizophrenia and post traumatic stress disorder. The healthcare cost for homeless veterans was also significantly greater than veterans who had a permanent address, in some cases as much as 42% higher.
Economic factor such as lack of affordable housing is one of the primary reasons for homelessness. Due to urban renewal efforts there has been a decline in affordable housing. Most homeless individuals suffer from alcohol and drug abuse, they tend to be transient and clearly have no way to afford insurance.
Instances where veterans have not only suffered physically but also mentally due to chronic homelessness have shown to increase costs of health services. In a study conducted by the Veteran Affairs (VA), 9,108 veterans were identified as being acutely psychiatric and had a history of substance abuse. Out of this 34.9% were identified as homeless, and 50.9 % had lived in a rental apartment or a room. The rest were either living in an institution or had unknown residence. Most of them suffered from schizophrenia and post traumatic stress disorder. The healthcare cost for homeless veterans was also significantly greater than veterans who had a permanent address, in some cases as much as 42% higher.
Economic factor such as lack of affordable housing is one of the primary reasons for homelessness. Due to urban renewal efforts there has been a decline in affordable housing. Most homeless individuals suffer from alcohol and drug abuse, they tend to be transient and clearly have no way to afford insurance.
#14
According to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) affordable housing is defined as housing where costs do not exceed 30% of the gross monthly income of a low income household. Green housing refers to resource conservation during design and construction and operation and protection of occupants’ health and productivity. Commercial and rental buildings are massive consumers of energy. According to the U.S. Green building council, buildings account for 70 percent of electricity, 39 percent of energy usage, 12 percent of water consumption etc. Residential buildings accounted for 22 percent of total energy consumption and 18 percent of all carbon emissions.
In a study by Enterprise Community Partners, increasing energy efficiency in a multifamily building would cost approximately $2,500 per unit and would increase efficiency by 25 to 40 percent. The costs would be slightly higher for single family homes at $3,000 but the costs would be justified since they would be recovered within 5-10 years. Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design study notes that 80 percent of the HUD housing is 15-30 years old and over 65 percent of the public housing available was build before 1970. Applying green technologies to this infrastructure would reduce emissions significantly.
In a study by Enterprise Community Partners, increasing energy efficiency in a multifamily building would cost approximately $2,500 per unit and would increase efficiency by 25 to 40 percent. The costs would be slightly higher for single family homes at $3,000 but the costs would be justified since they would be recovered within 5-10 years. Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design study notes that 80 percent of the HUD housing is 15-30 years old and over 65 percent of the public housing available was build before 1970. Applying green technologies to this infrastructure would reduce emissions significantly.
#13
Residential mobility has repercussions for a student’s academic standing. Housing instability can result in frequent moves for families which can impact education. Children moving from one address to another might also move from one school to another. Low income families are the one that seem most affected by this issue since they have higher rates of mobility than middle or upper income families. Housing that is overcrowded, needs repairs or presents hazards puts the residents in danger and makes lives stressful.
Mobility in terms of better housing, neighborhood, and schooling district can provide a boost to the family and community life. However frequent moves that are not resulting in improvements can prove detrimental to children.
Frequent moves have adverse results on academic standing of children. Controlling for other factors and events, children with lower residential mobility perform better than those with higher mobility. Schools in lower income zones see mobility rates amongst their students as high as 70 percent per year. These children are also likely to receive poor assessments and are likely to have incomplete records. They are also more likely to repeat grades, and less likely to do well on standardized test jeopardizing their chances for future education.
Mobility in terms of better housing, neighborhood, and schooling district can provide a boost to the family and community life. However frequent moves that are not resulting in improvements can prove detrimental to children.
Frequent moves have adverse results on academic standing of children. Controlling for other factors and events, children with lower residential mobility perform better than those with higher mobility. Schools in lower income zones see mobility rates amongst their students as high as 70 percent per year. These children are also likely to receive poor assessments and are likely to have incomplete records. They are also more likely to repeat grades, and less likely to do well on standardized test jeopardizing their chances for future education.
#12
Foreclosures impact neighborhoods and communities in other ways such as crime. Vacant and abandoned buildings are signs of negligence and decay. Abandoned houses and buildings reduce house values of the neighborhood. They also pose threat in terms of decay by sewage and stray animals and are a haven for criminals and drug peddlers. They are a public safety hazard as they could become a target of theft and increase vandalism within the community. There is a strong correlation between high levels of foreclosures and violent crime, such that every 2.8 foreclosures out of a hundred increase violent crime by 6.7 percent.
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