Category: Editorial
-
Rental Assistance Demonstration Program Helps Improve Public Housing
Much of the nation’s public housing stock is aging. Stagnant funding for operations and capital repairs have meant many public housing properties suffer from deferred maintenance. They need new roofs and boilers, kitchens and bathrooms, and upgrades to improve energy efficiency and access for persons with disabilities. Amid controversy over conditions of its Public Housing…
-
Housing Stability Loans Can Keep Renters in Their Homes
America is in the midst of a rental housing crisis that is hitting low-income renters the hardest. To help low-income renters find new homes and stay in them, affordable housing advocates have come up with some creative solutions. For many years, rents have risen dramatically while incomes remain stagnant. 80% of renters earning less than…
-
Carson’s Rent Increases Will Devastate Millions of Low-Income Renters
Under new a Trump Administration proposal, HUD tenants would have work requirements and rent increases, including tripled rent for households that need assistance the most. As the latest insult to decency from the Trump Administration, millions of low-income families will be at greater risk of homelessness. On Wednesday, HUD Secretary Ben Carson released the Trump…
-
Proposed Tax Reform Not Good for Low-Income Renters
12/19/17 Update: Today, the House passed its tax bill by a 227-203 vote. The Senate is expected to vote tonight. Editor’s Note: This article reflects Affordable Housing Online’s analysis of the two tax reform bills passed by the Senate and House of Representatives, and how it would affect participants of low-income housing programs. The Republican…
-
Housing Authority Strategies Help Prevent Crime in Public Housing
For a long time, Public Housing was seen as a center for violent crime, with images of brick high-rise complexes in dangerous neighborhoods dominating the media. But violent crime has been on the decline in the United States since 1995. And as violent crime has diminished nationwide, so too has it decreased on Public Housing…
-
Section 8 Small Area Fair Market Rents Give Renters Opportunity
As a former Housing Choice Voucher caseworker, I’ve seen instances where families were awarded Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8), but could not use them to rent in middle-class neighborhoods where schools are better, grocery stores are closer and the streets are safer for their children. Only on a few occasions do I recall seeing families…
-
Another Reason Voucher Holders Are Having a Hard Time Finding Landlords Willing to Accept Their Section 8 Voucher
San Jose, California-based startup, Mashvisor, says their focus “is delivering informative real estate analytics so that investors can make informed decisions in their investment.” Yet, Mashvisor just published a blog post entitled Why You Shouldn’t Go For Section 8 Real Estate Investments, that advises their real estate investor clients to steer clear of Section 8 Housing…
-
A Follow Up To Our Endorsement of Hillary Clinton
Post-Election Update: As Dave gathers his thoughts for his next article about how the Trump presidency will affect the needs of low-income renters, you can apply to more than 500 open Section 8 waiting lists nationwide, and search our website for your area of interest to find affordable housing options near you. I founded Affordable…
-
OPINION: Trump Will Try to Eliminate Section 8 and Other Housing Assistance Programs
Donald Trump believes that Section 8 and other housing assistance programs are unnecessary and that the free market can and should be used to provide housing.
-
Housing Authority Web Review: King County Housing Authority
Numerous housing authorities maintain websites to provide information for low-income renters at all times of the day. Affordable Housing Online highlights offices that have published a wealth of meaningful content online. We have reviewed the website for the King County Housing Authority (KCHA), which provides affordable housing assistance in King County, Washington, with the exception of…