Our nation’s economy continues to flounder, forcing more and more Americans to abandon, or at least to postpone, their dreams of home ownership. But as the number of renters rises, so do rental costs. The National Housing Conference states that a person should spend no more that 30% of his or her gross income on … Continue reading »
Guest Post: The Population Is Aging – Now Where Will They Live?
Guest Post by Maya Brennan, Center for Housing Policy Surveys consistently have found that more than 90 percent of older adults want to stay in their own home as they age. Now think about where you live. Is it set up to meet the needs of a 65-year-old? What about an 85-year-old? As the population … Continue reading »
Joplin seniors return home
Bonnie Betz has spent her entire life in Tornado Alley; the infamous stretch in the southern plains of the central U.S. where violent tornados are all too common. Her numerous stories about the close encounters she has had with these powerful storms over the years have earned Bonnie the nickname “Tornado Lady” amongst her friends … Continue reading »
Positive Plans for Sunnydale
Mercy Housing California is working hard to improve life in Sunnydale – a low income housing project that the San Francisco Chronicle described in 2008 as “…quite possibly the most dangerous, depressed and decrepit area of the city.” A Nov. 5 Chronicle article adds details about the suffering in the neighborhood: “Sunnydale residents share stories … Continue reading »
Mercy Housing recognizes National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week
Each November the National Coalition for the Homeless and the National Student Campaign Against Hunger and Homelessness co-sponsor National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week. The good news is that during this week – Nov. 12-18 in 2011 – groups across the country organize events to improve what has become a major crisis in our country. … Continue reading »
Action alert – help preserve HOME
Don’t believe the folks who tell you that Congress doesn’t get anything done. Just a few days after the Senate’s first housing appropriations budget for 2012 was released, we’re hearing from staffers that both sides are ready to consign housing programs for the lowest income people to another year of historic cuts and budget gaps. … Continue reading »
Creating the kind of housing America needs
A note from Mercy Housing’s Washington DC Policy Associate – Eva Wingren Imagine, for a moment, a world without the Low Income Housing Tax Credit. 9/10ths of the affordable housing industry’s current production capacity either sacrificed on the altar of deficit reduction, or converted to a clumsy federal program run by folks who don’t understand … Continue reading »