Affordable Housing Is A Problem For The Working Poor

There are approximately a half million homeless people in the United States, and that number not only includes individuals but families and children. These numbers are quite astounding to me, because we live in a nation full of opportunities for anyone seeking to have a better life for their family. However, not enough affordable housing is one the main reasons for homelessness. From the late 1980, affordable housing became a problem for the working poor. ‘Despite improvements in employment, the number of people in poverty (4.8 million) and the poverty rate (15.8 percent) remained relatively steady. 26 states saw an increase in the number of people in poverty; 25 saw a decrease.’ (National Alliance to end Homelessness) The average working person living below the poverty line was unable to affordable a decent place to live and if they had a family it was even harder. Having to pay rent and mouths to feed and children in school, and making minimum wage, that paycheck will not even cover the rent, then having to work a second or 3rd job, is impossible for one person. If they fall short one month, that can lead to total disaster for that family. Then the family is faced with eviction and nowhere to go, but can sometimes do what’s called doubling up with friends or family, but that is only a temporary solution. So now that we know that homelessness can be cause by †¢ Lack of affordable housing †¢ Eviction †¢ Low wages/unemployment †¢ Mental illness †¢ Poverty â€Å"TheShow MoreRelatedThe Affordability Problem Of Washington State1709 Words   |  7 Pages The affordability problem is across all states and largely affects the working wage earners and below.(Housing Needs Assessment, 2015 booklet page 297) This is because throughout the nation there is a large differences between minimum wage, housing wage, and the affordable units available. As noted earlier in the essay, King County is experiencing a huge affordable housing Crisis. The 2015 Housing Needs Assessment indicated that there are only 28 affordable units for every 100 extremely cost burdenRead MoreHomelessness : A Serious Social Problem1464 Words   |  6 PagesHomelessness is a serious social problem in most American cities. Homeless people are those who sleep in the open air or in provisional accommodation such as shelters or hotels, have no settlement after expulsion or release from jail or hospital, or dwell provisionally with relatives or friends on account of shortage o f housing (Crane et al. 154-155). American economy has developed very fast since 1980s, but homeless population has been increasing. They seem to be seen here and there in public placeRead MoreHomelessness : The United States1214 Words   |  5 Pageslive in their previous homes. Homelessness occurs when people or households cannot afford housing. 3.5 million people yearly experience homelessness in the United States, and it is time to take action to end the suffering of homeless people. The U.S. government should execute plans to make housing low-cost and more jobs that are high-paying to reduce homelessness in the U.S. Homelessness has always been a problem in the United States but just not as widespread as it is now. â€Å"The number of people experiencingRead MoreThe United Nations Conference, Habitat II847 Words   |  4 PagesContext: Metropolis magazine explains that â€Å"†¦though billions of dollars are spent each year on housing and development programs worldwide, At least 1 billion people lack adequate housing; some 100 million have none at all. In an attempt to correct this worldwide dilemma, a United Nations conference, Habitat II, was held in Istanbul, Turkey in June of 1996. This conference was open not only to government leaders, but also to community organizers, non-governmental organizations, architects and plannersRead MoreNew York s Housing Problems1629 Words   |  7 Pages New York’s housing problems in the 19th century was the result of a mix of factors such as increased immigration, rising rents and shortage of affordable housing supply. The sudden influx in the city’s population led to emergence of tenements in the 1840s and 50s, built specifically to accommodate large numbers of low-income people. Tenements soon became the dominant form of working class housing. Recognized for its profitability, tenements began to emerge in increasing numbers. This can be explainedRead MoreEffects Of Welfare On The American City By Matthew Desmond1009 Words   |  5 Pagesabout the crisis that low-income families face in finding and maintaining affordable housing. Desmond explains the situation like rising housing cost, a shortfall of federal housing assistance, and falling incomes among the poor. Mostly, African-American poor single parent with children face a high risk of eviction. The poor living is something that no one will like to leave, but the conditions of your environment make it so. Poor living leads you into places you would not like to go and keep you inRead MoreWhy I Was A Kid1386 Words   |  6 PagesAtlanta Still Affordable† made me remember those conversations that my mother use to have with her girlfriends, â€Å"they† were moving â€Å"us† out to cater to new group of people. Gentrification is a hot topic in Atlanta currently, as blighted neighborhoods are being gutted and bulldozed in exchange for half million dollar homes, high rise condos and trendy coffee shops. With the differences in the areas, I can come to realize that gentrification doesn’t only affect the severely poor, or projects andRead MoreThe Issue Of Affordable Housing1256 Words   |  6 PagesOn the 9th of December of 2014, I attended a San Jose City Council meeting in the council chambers in the San Jose City Hall. The topic of discussion was the issue of affordable housing in San Jose. There are nearly 5,000 homeless people in San Jose. There are thousands more on waiting lists for affordable housing, some using more than 50 percent of their daily income for rent, or in danger of losing their homes. Homelessness impacts our community, our environment, and our homeless neighbors. AddressingRead MoreLiving Without A Housing Infrastructure981 Words   |  4 Pagessucceed. Many citizens live without a housing infrastructure to provide them with protection and security; both of which are crucial for an individual to be successful in modern society. Throughout the course we looked at multiple organizations and programs that were created to directly benefit those struggling to afford housing. One of these organizations is Bridges out of poverty, which was put in place to give back to the community by building individuals working skills and by moving the homelessRead More Homes for the Homeless1436 Words   |  6 Pagesa plan of action for the community to see the â€Å"bigger picture† and address this issue utilizing a critical social approach. Homelessness The term homelessness can be used to recognize individuals and families living outdoors, in need of â€Å"core housing,† in emergency hostels, in shelters, and who are precariously being housed (Crowe, 2008). Stats Canada’s 2006 census found that 19,630 people in Canada are being housed in a shelter at any given time (as cited in Stuart et al., 2008). The most