Finding & Keeping Affordable Homes

categories: Cities, Gulf Coast, Housing, Immigration, States, The Economy

Published July 15, 2009 @ 11:00AM PT

Two articles caught my eye this week on interesting efforts in the NY region to provide decent, affordable housing for distressed residents - including their own homes.

First, Connecticut, unlike most states, is proactively working to prevent foreclosures through its Foreclosure Mediation Program, which "encourage[s] borrowers to challenge foreclosures...requires lenders to meet with borrowers and court-appointed mediators" and in sum keeps about 60% of homeowners in their homes by "[compelling] both parties to negotiate in the presence of someone well-versed in the various programs available to help borrowers." When it can't keep people from losing their homes, it offers many of them a "dignified exit," meaning they can at least wait to move until they've found another place to live. CT is one of the most economically unequal states in the nation, with some of our poorest cities nestled among some of our wealthiest suburbs. It is also one of the states working without a budget right now, under an emergency extension from the Governor. Here's hoping no cuts are made to this model program.

Nearby, on Long Island, Islip Town councilman Christopher Bodkin is trying to bring Katrina Cottages to the area to provide desperately needed affordable housing. Long Island has a shameful history of segregation, discrimination and NIMBY-ism; Bodkin is proposing his Levittown-inspired affordable housing solution as he comes up for re-election. Not only would this be a cost-effective and attractive means of relieving overcrowding and substandard living for low-income local residents, it would also put to good use the cottages that have been woefully ignored on the Gulf Coast. Who knows, perhaps they could enjoy a deserved, renewed life as Islip cottages if GC officials refuse to make good on providing housing for post-Katrina survivors.

Happy Hump Day.

(Pic to come after my 2pm mtg!)

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Author

Leigh is a PhD candidate in urban planning at MIT, and a consultant on U.S. Gulf Coast recovery. She sits on the Board of the Allston-Brighton Community Development Corporation in Boston, and has worked with non-profits, foundations and local governments on policies and programs aimed at reducing urban poverty and inequality.