9 thoughts on “Policy Options Brief: Affordable Housing”
I learned a lot reading this brief. It was incredibly clear how serious the problem was and I think you outlined that very well. I especially like your graph usage. The first option, regarding section 8 vouchers, was more compelling. I do think you have a good argument with the second policy option though. Did you look into the acquisition fund provided by HPD? It’s a loan fund for developers who are building affordable housing. I work on a loan fund for emerging, minority, and women developers and am working with HPD to provide loans to developers building housing.
The affordable housing crisis in New York and other cities have ramifications that extend far beyond insufficient availability. The memo mentions wage increases in rent and I believe there are other factors to be taken into consideration. One criteria that can be eliminated to stop bias and allow more access to housing for tenant’s is the credit rating criteria. It’s not only people with good credit ratings that need housing. Legislation should be explored to introduce to the City Council, a bill to delete credit ratings for tenant consideration.
What has accounted for the increased interest in metropolitan areas that has increased the population and contributed to a high population for housing? Has there been a population migration, possibly “white flight”, from other parts of the country or natural disasters relocating citizens from places like Louisiana who fled because of Hurricane Katrina? In addition are populations leaving suburban life and causing gentrification in urban areas?
Another option is NYC Housing Connect which is a website created under Mayor DiBlasio’s administration that manages the housing lotteries for the city with Mitchell Lama and Housing Preservation Development, which have their own housing programs . Most of the programs such as Section 8, Vouchers or the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) are geared for low income residents. Can some suggestions be made for middle income residents? It is true as wages increase inflation has already absorbed the additional increase in pay. What is the rate of inflation in comparison to housing and wages?
I have always felt a man should not spend majority of their earnings on rent. The housing market has escalated out of control to the point where even native New Yorkers cannot enjoy the richness of the city. Many residents have look to cheaper states to live. Affordable housing is a crucial aspect of family life in New York City and cities across the nation. It help shape the very lives we live today. One option that comes to mind involves placing a cap on how much landlords can raise rent their rent. The goal would be to have a rent stabilized apartments to retain residents and provide affordability to new ones. Even though I would have liked to have read more information on Option 2 (impact fees policy) it is still my choice. The incentive in Option 2 is based on the number of units an apartment has. A portion of these units are reserved for the affordable housing which allows for diversity and a closer level of resident balance. The policy is not complete but it alleviates pressure form the housing market.
I like the fact that there were some statistics in your policy brief but I believe reading about a families that lost their home due to gentrification would make the problem stronger. Yes I agree gentrification is taking over reducing affordable homes for lower income families making it impossible for them to rent let alone own a home. I have recently watched a documentary on Netflix called America Divided where I see tenants were forced out of their home or forced to live in condition not good for their health due to gentrification. Some of these stories will make policy makers see the seriousness of your problem and will be willing to take steps that will prevent landlords from forcing people out of their homes, homes that they have been living in all their lives. Other wise from that you made some good points and the chart was a great idea.
Gentrification is an extremely polarizing topic in many cities around America. I believe that this brief did a good job of making this clear. Perhaps the seriousness could have been more jarring to the reader if gentrification stats related to a specific borough would have been sited.
Another option that I would be interested in learning more about is the conversion of unused pre-existing structures for housing purposes. In Harlem, developers are now looking toward seldom or sparsely used religious structures for new housing options. I wonder if the Mayors office could work more closely with or even offer incentives to the religious organizations and developers willing to undertake this conversion in the name of affordable housing.
Based on the information given in the brief, I am made aware of the problem and the danger in terms of displacement, but I do not have enough information to side with either of the options. I think I would need more to understand why developers don’t see the current incentives as advantageous or why the city cannot offer anything better.
Overall, I think the brief is a nice introduction to the topic and one that may spur me to look deeper into the matter as a reader.
The provision of housing is a basic human right and guarantees the dignity of a human being. When you loose your right to housing you end up on the streets. Nonetheless, the problem is highlighted as serious and in dire need of fix. The section 8 housing program has been of tremendous help to poor people especially women who suffer from abused both physical and mental. I think the first option of the state or city providing a grant in the form of impact fees that gives private developers the incentives to build so that a portion of the units they build can be allocated to the poor at below market rent. The other option which has not been touched on is the issue of the middle income earners who do not receive any form of support yet all the support goes to low income earners.
Thank you everyone for the helpful feedback. Housing Connect, Mitchell Lama Connect, and rent stabilization are definitely on our radar. We plan to look deeper into the issues and solutions on our presentation and Policy Memorandum.
Affordable housing is an important issue in New York and I feel you’ve delivered on stressing the urgency behind the growing problem. The most compelling option are the Section 8 vouchers, however I’m interested in how New York could implement an expansion of the program under the current Federal Government. Are there ways for the City to provide funding for the program itself? You also presented issues with the City’s program, like how developers receive the subsidy as opposed to the landlord. Could there be a possible policy option for reforming the City’s housing programs to resemble that of HUD’s Section 8 program, while still being funded at a more local level?
Affordable housing have been an issue dating back to the early 1900. Today there have been some improvements but there is still hurdles being faced. Before this brief I was unaware of so much problems existing with the section 8 program and the extent the individual must go through in order to obtain these services
I learned a lot reading this brief. It was incredibly clear how serious the problem was and I think you outlined that very well. I especially like your graph usage. The first option, regarding section 8 vouchers, was more compelling. I do think you have a good argument with the second policy option though. Did you look into the acquisition fund provided by HPD? It’s a loan fund for developers who are building affordable housing. I work on a loan fund for emerging, minority, and women developers and am working with HPD to provide loans to developers building housing.
The affordable housing crisis in New York and other cities have ramifications that extend far beyond insufficient availability. The memo mentions wage increases in rent and I believe there are other factors to be taken into consideration. One criteria that can be eliminated to stop bias and allow more access to housing for tenant’s is the credit rating criteria. It’s not only people with good credit ratings that need housing. Legislation should be explored to introduce to the City Council, a bill to delete credit ratings for tenant consideration.
What has accounted for the increased interest in metropolitan areas that has increased the population and contributed to a high population for housing? Has there been a population migration, possibly “white flight”, from other parts of the country or natural disasters relocating citizens from places like Louisiana who fled because of Hurricane Katrina? In addition are populations leaving suburban life and causing gentrification in urban areas?
Another option is NYC Housing Connect which is a website created under Mayor DiBlasio’s administration that manages the housing lotteries for the city with Mitchell Lama and Housing Preservation Development, which have their own housing programs . Most of the programs such as Section 8, Vouchers or the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) are geared for low income residents. Can some suggestions be made for middle income residents? It is true as wages increase inflation has already absorbed the additional increase in pay. What is the rate of inflation in comparison to housing and wages?
I have always felt a man should not spend majority of their earnings on rent. The housing market has escalated out of control to the point where even native New Yorkers cannot enjoy the richness of the city. Many residents have look to cheaper states to live. Affordable housing is a crucial aspect of family life in New York City and cities across the nation. It help shape the very lives we live today. One option that comes to mind involves placing a cap on how much landlords can raise rent their rent. The goal would be to have a rent stabilized apartments to retain residents and provide affordability to new ones. Even though I would have liked to have read more information on Option 2 (impact fees policy) it is still my choice. The incentive in Option 2 is based on the number of units an apartment has. A portion of these units are reserved for the affordable housing which allows for diversity and a closer level of resident balance. The policy is not complete but it alleviates pressure form the housing market.
I like the fact that there were some statistics in your policy brief but I believe reading about a families that lost their home due to gentrification would make the problem stronger. Yes I agree gentrification is taking over reducing affordable homes for lower income families making it impossible for them to rent let alone own a home. I have recently watched a documentary on Netflix called America Divided where I see tenants were forced out of their home or forced to live in condition not good for their health due to gentrification. Some of these stories will make policy makers see the seriousness of your problem and will be willing to take steps that will prevent landlords from forcing people out of their homes, homes that they have been living in all their lives. Other wise from that you made some good points and the chart was a great idea.
Gentrification is an extremely polarizing topic in many cities around America. I believe that this brief did a good job of making this clear. Perhaps the seriousness could have been more jarring to the reader if gentrification stats related to a specific borough would have been sited.
Another option that I would be interested in learning more about is the conversion of unused pre-existing structures for housing purposes. In Harlem, developers are now looking toward seldom or sparsely used religious structures for new housing options. I wonder if the Mayors office could work more closely with or even offer incentives to the religious organizations and developers willing to undertake this conversion in the name of affordable housing.
Based on the information given in the brief, I am made aware of the problem and the danger in terms of displacement, but I do not have enough information to side with either of the options. I think I would need more to understand why developers don’t see the current incentives as advantageous or why the city cannot offer anything better.
Overall, I think the brief is a nice introduction to the topic and one that may spur me to look deeper into the matter as a reader.
The provision of housing is a basic human right and guarantees the dignity of a human being. When you loose your right to housing you end up on the streets. Nonetheless, the problem is highlighted as serious and in dire need of fix. The section 8 housing program has been of tremendous help to poor people especially women who suffer from abused both physical and mental. I think the first option of the state or city providing a grant in the form of impact fees that gives private developers the incentives to build so that a portion of the units they build can be allocated to the poor at below market rent. The other option which has not been touched on is the issue of the middle income earners who do not receive any form of support yet all the support goes to low income earners.
Thank you everyone for the helpful feedback. Housing Connect, Mitchell Lama Connect, and rent stabilization are definitely on our radar. We plan to look deeper into the issues and solutions on our presentation and Policy Memorandum.
Affordable housing is an important issue in New York and I feel you’ve delivered on stressing the urgency behind the growing problem. The most compelling option are the Section 8 vouchers, however I’m interested in how New York could implement an expansion of the program under the current Federal Government. Are there ways for the City to provide funding for the program itself? You also presented issues with the City’s program, like how developers receive the subsidy as opposed to the landlord. Could there be a possible policy option for reforming the City’s housing programs to resemble that of HUD’s Section 8 program, while still being funded at a more local level?
Affordable housing have been an issue dating back to the early 1900. Today there have been some improvements but there is still hurdles being faced. Before this brief I was unaware of so much problems existing with the section 8 program and the extent the individual must go through in order to obtain these services