Introduction
Housing is a central component of most
people’s lives. It is one of the largest
expenses for most families, contributing
to—or detracting from—one’s financial
health, and in some cases, mental health.
Over time, housing can serve as a vehicle
for building wealth; however, if not
properly planned and budgeted, it can
create challenges and diminish future
opportunities for wealth-building.
When housing for families is stable, it can
promote positive educational outcomes
among youth; when a family experiences
serial moves, especially those that stem
from foreclosure or other distresses, it can
negatively impact educational outcomes
among youth.
Homes that contain lead paint may have
that paint contained and pose no issue to
the inhabitants; however, if left
uncontained or disturbed, it can have a
debilitating effect on inhabitants of the
home, especially youth. In short, housing
is more than just a place where we sleep or
the primary land use of our neighborhood;
it is a foundation around which we build
our lives.
Numerous studies discuss housing and how
positive or negative living situations can
impact social, economic, academic, and
health-related outcomes. 3 These studies
informed national policies that have led to
requirements stating that housing be safe,
decent, and affordable. This is the standard
set within programs administered by the
US Department of Housing and Urban
Development (HUD), and it is the standard
3
that many affordable housing developers
and advocates promote as the threshold for
their efforts.
When placed alongside safety and decency,
affordability generally does not attract a
great deal of attention. However, removed
from that context, affordable housing often
assumes connotations far beyond that
limited definition, conjuring images of
large-scale public housing projects such as
Pruitt-Igoe in St. Louis, Cabrini Green and
Robert Taylor homes in Chicago, or even
smaller projects like the Phoenix
Apartments in Indianapolis.
Part of this reaction is the blurring of
definitions between affordable housing
and subsidized housing. Beyond that,
negative responses may further be
based on an outmoded perception of
subsidized housing.
In this report, we will define both terms
and explore the drivers and
interrelatedness of each. We also will look
at general policy challenges in creating
adequate affordable housing and the
reason why it is a relevant policy goal,
especially for low-income families.
In addition, we will provide a brief
examination of policy options for local
governments and civic leaders who have an
interest in local and regional housing policy.
All of this discussion will be placed
See bibliography in http://www.indyhabitat.org/images/uploads/Impact_Study_Final.pdf
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