[Vision2020] Affordable Housing Crisis Bearing Fruit

[mark seman]

Donovan,
Now that's what I need - an honest perspective of current problems and
suggested alternatives.  I, along with Bev, too think yours' was a
very insightful response.

I understand there is not a one-fits-all solution and I appreciate
your catagorization of the (5) groups - this really helps define the
people beyond an single & ambiguous economically-disadvantaged group.
I can visualize and I know people within most of those descriptions.
I was there myself as a young adult, and to provide assistance for
those in need has both personal & professional meaning to me.

I also understand your concern for social engineering.  That is not my
intent, although it could also be construed as such.  My intent is to
plan - that is: to identify needs, analyze them, and then propose
viable solutions.  I can derive a solution on my own and implement it,
but my intent is not to do this on my own, since I believe a community
is best served by its members' participation.  We need to understand
the problem(s) first, discuss their reason(s) and then develop
positive alternatives.  Dialogue is one of my main concerns at this
stage.

I have limited resources like most others, but I also have certain
resources available to apply.  If they are not used in Moscow, ID, I
will try in Prescott, AZ or Wenatchee, WA, or Portland, OR, or
somewhere else.  I'm wanting to try and develop a process that can be
used elsewhere, as you're aware, this is not an isolated problem.
Name any city or town, and I wager they are struggling with many of
the very same things -  as each will also be unique.  And it is a
struggle for communities to find solutions, since there always seem to
be other pressing issues to deal with - but it is a problem that won't
go away, except maybe if it is thoughtfully addressed.

So to delve into this further - if government regulation or
participation was not part of the picture for a new solution, what
could be an alternative process for identifiying those in need and
providing help?  [could local government be a steward?]  Also what
could be used to prioritize who gets assistance earlier than someone
else?  What other insights do you have to share?

Thanks for your input.
Mark


mark.r.seman.architect
   9 2 8 . 9 2 5 , 7 6 1 7
  -----Original Message-----
  From: Donovan Arnold [mailto:donovanjarnold2005 at yahoo.com]
  Sent: Thursday, December 04, 2008 6:18 PM
  To: mark seman
  Cc: vision2020 at moscow.com
  Subject: RE: [Vision2020] Affordable Housing Crisis Bearing Fruit


        Mark,

        Thanks for the insightful response. My perspective is a little
bit different then the current structuring of low income housing. I
think the government and financial powers that be are more about
trying to get what they want rather than focusing on the actual needs
of the people they are supposedly trying to help.

        I do believe, in all honesty, the biggest problem with low
income housing is the policies that they use for qualifications. They
are simply unrealistic, unfair, and discriminatory. Most of the people
I talked to in low income housing would be kicked out if they answered
every question 100% honestly, and the building would be mostly empty.

        But to more directly address your questions, Mark, the problem
with most low income is that it fails to realize that there are
different types of poor people. Obviously stereotyping and pigeon
holing but, here are the basic 5 groups in representing Moscow's low
income.

        1) Single men and woman that do not make that much money.
Usually, the working poor, many college students, and some former
students that are just working a local job. Their stay is usually for
a short period of time.

        2) The elderly. Mostly older woman, over 65 living on social
security and in poor health. Their stay is usually for a long period
of time, or until death.

        3) Single parents. These are mostly woman living with one of
two children trying to make ends meet and low cost housing is one of
those cost cutting areas. Their stay is for a moderate about of time.

        4) Persons with a disability. These are usually people that
have a hard time holding full time employment and usually get some
type of government assisted housing. Their stay is usually for a
longer period of time.

        5) Young families. These are usually a family that is just
starting out, have some young children, not much money yet. Their stay
is usually for a limited time until both parents can work or one gets
a better paying job.

        Each of these groups has different needs and wants from their
housing situation. Many times their needs and wants contradict or
conflict with each other. So trying to devise a plan that will work
equally and fairly for everybody in one complex is bound to failure
and the socially engineer is ignoring that people are different.

        Second, you will find that most individuals do not want to pay
more in rent for services they cannot use, especially when it prevents
them from getting what they need, such as safer sidewalks for their
wheelchair over that of a new playground for the children. Or new
carpets versus carports.

        Trying to be all things to all people, or fairly distributing
very limited funds for each groups needs is a monstrous task which
usually results in nobody being happy.

        As to the physically properties themselves, I would suggest
each place have the following things. Phone, Refrigerator, a very
large freezer, storage, microwave, oven, stove, bathtub and shower,
laundry, garbage disposal and dishwasher, large open kitchen and
dining room, two medium equally sized bedrooms with walk in closets.
They should have at least 600 sq. ft. of space. Some units should have
a garage, others carports, and others no parking. It should mostly be
built on one level, and the units should be noise resistant. They
should have access to the Internet and basic television. There should
be units that mostly carpeted and some units that are mostly not
carpeted. There should be some units with a yard, and some with just a
small outdoor patio. The units should also be near a bus route.  The
units should have one side for pets, one side without; one half of
each side should be for quiet of noisier tenants. Utilities, cable,
Internet, water, garbage and rent should just be one bill.

        Police should patrol the area frequently, know most of the
residents, and offer assistance when needed.
        Sex offenders and convicted criminals, especially those that
committed moral crimes against persons, should be in separate
complexes from other tenants.

        Finally, I would reiterate that the laws governing what people
can make to afford an apartment and who can qualify for an apartment
is the biggest problem. I think focusing on the government trying to
socially engineer the complexes and meet everyone's needs is the WRONG
approach and will not work.

        Best Regards,

        Donovan

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