Wednesday, August 8, 2018

Solution to lack of affordable housing; non-profit housing communities

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/america-housing-crisis-living-in-vehicles_us_5b680be3e4b0fd5c73db49bf

The absence of federal support has largely left state and local governments to play catch-up, particularly in areas on the West Coast where the housing markets show few signs of cooling. Californians will vote on two bond measures in November totaling $6 billion for housing relief, along with a proposal that would give local governments more power to expand rent controls. In Berkeley specifically, voters are set to consider the city’s $135 million affordable housing bond, paid for by new taxes on property owners.
But none of these proposals offer any immediate relief for people like Whitson and Prado. “You’re really looking at 15 to 20 years for increasing that housing supply,” said Sara Kershnar, chief of staff for Berkeley Vice Mayor Charyl Davila. “In the meantime, we have to do whatever we can to not take away – and certainly not criminalize – the shelter people make for themselves.”

https://www.mercyhousing.org/facts

"We are one of the nation’s largest nonprofit affordable housing organizations with regional offices across the nation. Each region is responsible for the organization’s local real estate development, Resident Services and fundraising activities. Each office is directed by a regional board and a regional president.
Mercy Housing provides loans to community developers through Mercy Loan Fund, which has loaned $311 million that has been leveraged into $2.3 billion of affordable housing financing and 24,300 homes for 62,000 people."


I believe that non-profit communities for low-income people is a perfect solution. It reduces cost, creates a community that can cater to the renters' needs, and offers help to move up.