What IS Affordable Housing
"Affordable housing" has come to mean a very particular type of housing. Specifically, it is thought of as housing to be provided to those in need on a rental basis with government assistance to provide lower than market rate rental prices. While this is welcome and provides housing to many who would not otherwise be able to afford it, it is not sustainable. Rental prices are increasing more than inflation and don't supply the most significant means of providing intergenerational wealth - home ownership.
Therefore, when we discuss "affordable housing", we are not meaning the following:
Rather, we are meaning the following:
"Affordable housing" has come to mean a very particular type of housing. Specifically, it is thought of as housing to be provided to those in need on a rental basis with government assistance to provide lower than market rate rental prices. While this is welcome and provides housing to many who would not otherwise be able to afford it, it is not sustainable. Rental prices are increasing more than inflation and don't supply the most significant means of providing intergenerational wealth - home ownership.
Therefore, when we discuss "affordable housing", we are not meaning the following:
- Section 8 or "lottery" based housing
- Necessarily dependent on outside funding (typically government funding)
- Temporary housing
Rather, we are meaning the following:
- A more permanent housing solution
- A housing-to-income ratio of 30% or less
- Housing located in a place that provides:
- A safe environment that is healthy, non-violent, and structurally sound
- A good education or good educational support
- Access to affordable health care
- Access to healthy food (and provides foods that are familiar to displaced peoples)
- Recreational opportunities
- It helps displaced persons to overcome their other needs so they can develop and thrive.