So, how’s the housing market if you’re poor?

Last updated on: May 9, 2013 at 6:23 am by Faithful Democrats

So, how’s the housing market if you’re poor? 2013-05-09T06:23:05-06:00 Faithful Democrats

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Julia Easley, of Children's Medical Center here in Dallas and editor of the bi-annual Beyond ABC report on the state of our community's health, especially as it relates to children and families, shared with us last week the following preliminary finding on one "indicator" of community health. It was good to have her mention our affordable housing efforts in this part of her very useful report.

_________________________________

Indicator: Number of affordable housing units changed to market rent.

Data Source: Texas Tenant’s Union, Section 8 Opt Outs and Terminations in Dallas County, 2004.

Across the nation, the stock of affordable housing is decreasing as a result of changes in federal policy.

Property owners are paying off low-interest HUD loans and opting out of government-subsidized housing programs. While many tenants receive vouchers when the property converts to market-rate housing, many others face increases in their monthly rent of 50 percent or greater and we are losing an important supply of decent low-cost housing.

More than 9,937 affordable apartment units in Dallas County have been lost since 1996 as their owners dropped out of their Section 8 contracts and/or prepaid their HUD-insured loans.

The number of new affordable housing units being created has not replaced the number of units lost in the past eight years. The trend of opting out has slowed as the majority of older properties dropped out of Section 8 contracts when the option was first available.

The 2006 Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University estimates that between 1993 and 2003, approximately 1.2 million affordable housing units were lost nationally.

The report further indicates that the number of Americans paying more than 50% of their income for housing increased 1.9 million between 2001 and 2004. Housing advocates support federal proposals to establish an Affordable Housing Trust Fund for construction of new housing and to help families with low incomes purchase homes.

The fair market value (FMV) for a two-bedroom apartment in Dallas County was $868 for 2005 according to the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Out of Reach 2005, an annual study conducted by the National Low Income Housing Coalition, concluded that a full-time worker must earn $14.94 an hour, 290 percent of the minimum wage, in order to afford Dallas County’s fair market rent for a two-bedroom apartment.

Forty-two percent of the renters in Dallas County are unable to afford that fair market rent.

In 2002, Central Dallas Ministries created the Central Dallas Community Development Corporation which seeks to provide affordable housing to create an economically diverse neighborhood.

Currently operating over 40 units of affordable housing, the CDCDC will break ground on a 237-unit apartment community in late 2006. Also in the plans is renovating the 511 N. Akard building in downtown Dallas, creating 200 affordable housing units.

Reader Blogs

Previous Post

October 13, 2006

Foley: the catalyst, not the cause

Next Post

October 14, 2006 The Mystical Power of Science

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category About Us About Us Action Center Advertise Ask a Theologian Ask a Theologian Blogs Books Campaign Blog Candidate Spotlights Commentary Donate Facebook Featured Writers Fellows Fellows From the Pulpit General Information Hillary Clinton Interfaith Blog Latest Media Center Media Center Media Center MyBlog MyBlog News Newsflash Newsflashes Our Team Reader Blogs RSS Sermon of the Week Shop Social Networking Static Items Support Talking Points Test blogs The Basics Theology Uncategorized YouTube

Select a Month November 2020 October 2020 February 2020 August 2019 July 2018 July 2017 March 2017 February 2017 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 June 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 August 2008 July 2008 June 2008 May 2008 April 2008 March 2008 February 2008 January 2008 December 2007 November 2007 October 2007 September 2007 August 2007 July 2007 June 2007 May 2007 April 2007 March 2007 February 2007 January 2007 December 2006 November 2006 October 2006 September 2006 August 2006 July 2006 January 2006 August 2004

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Three of the four beasts from Daniel's vision are: a bear with three ribs in its mouth, a leopard with four wings and four heads, and a terrifying beast with iron teeth and ten horns. Which beast is missing?

Select your answer to see how you score.

A bull breathing fire A lion with eagle's wings A dragon with seven heads A ram with two sets of gilded horns