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{"id":288,"date":"2021-11-21T06:58:00","date_gmt":"2021-11-21T06:58:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/theannexgrp.rentcafewebsite.com\/blog\/2021\/11\/21\/how-communities-benefit-from-affordable-housing\/"},"modified":"2023-09-07T12:24:07","modified_gmt":"2023-09-07T12:24:07","slug":"how-communities-benefit-from-affordable-housing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.theannexgrp.com\/blog\/2021\/11\/21\/how-communities-benefit-from-affordable-housing\/","title":{"rendered":"HOW COMMUNITIES BENEFIT FROM AFFORDABLE HOUSING"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

\"\"
\nAs many sectors of the economy have seen significant improvements within the past decade,
\naffordable housing remains a significant concern to our communities. According to the National<\/a>
\nLow Income Housing Coalition, 10.8 million renter households with extremely low incomes
\naccount for 25% of all renter households and 9% of all U.S. households. Of the 10.4 million
\nseverely housing cost-burdened renter households, 7.6 million are extremely low income, 2.1
\nmillion are very low-income, 656,000 are low-income, and 132,000 are middle or higher
\nincome.<\/p>\n

This is worrying data, given that cities are the drivers for economic growth and development,
\nand there is a strong connection between housing security and economic growth. While
\neconomic benefits are one compelling reason to address the affordable housing crisis, there are
\nother benefits, as well.<\/p>\n

This article will examine five important benefits of affordable housing and why our communities
\nneed it now more than ever.<\/p>\n

Affordable housing:<\/p>\n

1. Is a Catalyst for Economic Gain<\/h2>\n

Low-income families around the United States are considered housing cost-burdened when they
\nspend more than 30% of their incomes on rent and utilities. They are considered severely
\ncost-burdened when they spend more than half of their incomes on housing. Currently in the
\nU.S., we have millions of people facing a tremendous financial strain providing their housing
\nalone – let alone the other costs of living.<\/p>\n

Low income renters have little income remaining for other necessities after paying their rent.
\nReducing the percentage of this expenditure saves more money for basic needs and overall
\neconomic empowerment. Affordable housing reduces the high expenses of typical rent. More
\nmoney in pockets means an increased purchasing power, which boosts local businesses. As a
\nresult, there’s a more steady income flow for individual businesses in the community and more.<\/p>\n

2. Creates More Job Opportunities<\/h2>\n

Affordable housing also comes with the prospects of increased job opportunities. It is also
\nimportant to note that the location of many affordable housing communities allows the working
\npopulation to live closer to jobs within the area rather than having to commute long distances
\nfrom where they work and live.<\/p>\n

The increase of job opportunities can be seen as soon as the initial construction phases and
\neventually brings lasting societal growth. Building, preserving and sustaining affordable housing
\nrequires a variety of construction tradespeople, property managers, leasing agents, security
\nstaff and others —
161 local jobs on average<\/a> in the first year alone.<\/p>\n

With the federal government now issuing low-income house tax credits (LIHTC) to private
\ndevelopers via state agencies, there are more significant opportunities for job creation.
\nPrivate developers receiving LIHTC will need to hire construction companies to renovate or build
\naffordable houses. Housing centers, which will need enough staff to take care of maintenance
\nand other essential operations, will also need consideration. The people filling these positions
\nwill most likely be drawn from the local community. And not only will they have affordable
\nhousing in the end, but also an earned income in their bank accounts.<\/p>\n

3. Allows Communities to Access Better Overall Health<\/h2>\n

Households are often forced to cut corners in other areas whenever burdened with a high cost
\nof living. People who don’t have access to affordable housing often make the difficult decision
\nto cut corners in areas that are detrimental to their health. However, those living in affordable
\nhousing are able to spend
substantially more<\/a> money on food, education, childcare and
\nhealthcare.<\/p>\n

Affordable housing is an important tool in reducing the pressure necessitated by an excess of
\nfinancial strain. One of the significant impacts it brings is good health among members of the
\ncommunities. This begins with increased disposable income, due to paying less rent. Similarly,
\nreduced financial stress improves different aspects like cohesion within the family, which is good
\nfor both physical health and overall wellbeing.<\/p>\n

Research statistics also show that those who move into affordable housing enjoy an improved<\/a>
\nlife, better health outcomes and are less worried about general stressors in comparison to
\nbefore moving into affordable housing.<\/p>\n

4. Brings More Diversity to Communities<\/h2>\n

More affordable housing communities often enable communities to take the powerful step of
\nbecoming more diverse. Often, these communities provide a place to call home for people from
\ndifferent cultural, socio-economic, and educational backgrounds.
\nDiversity within communities can create a mutual understanding between different groups,
\nwhere both fairness and cultural sensitivity are realized. In the end, a diverse community offers
\nthe opportunity for its residents and neighbors to learn and grow from one another and
\ncelebrate their differences.<\/p>\n

5. Brings Stability to Families<\/h2>\n

Stability is an essential aspect of family life and childhood development. Recent studies on
\naffordable housing have linked the positive behavior of children to stability in housing. A major
\ntakeaway from these reports is the knowledge of how much poor quality housing can cause a
\nstrain on children’s emotional and behavioral patterns.<\/p>\n

There have also been multiple reports<\/a> linking residential instability as an indicator of behavioral
\nproblems among low-income children. These and many other statistics indicate what affordable housing can do to the lives of many families. The building of more affordable housing is among
\nthe most cost-effective ways of lifting families and communities out of poverty.<\/p>\n

A stable place to call home, with caretakers who know they can afford next month’s rent, will
\ngrant children adequate stability to grow and learn. As a result, we can create families that are
\nhappier and healthier, with more time to spend together thanks to time saved from previously
\noverly-long commutes, or time saved by only having to work one job rather than cobble
\ntogether the income from several in order to pay rent on non-affordable housing.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Getting Started in the Affordable Housing Development Process<\/h2>\n

Affordable housing matters because having a place to call home can improve the quality of life for any person—whether they are renting, utilizing affordable housing, or owning a home. Everyone deserves to have comfortable housing they can afford available to them.<\/p>\n

To learn more about The Annex Group, affordable housing development<\/a>, or our affordable housing<\/a>
\nportfolio,
contact us<\/a> today to get started.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

As many sectors of the economy have seen significant improvements within the past decade, affordable housing remains a significant concern to our communities. According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, 10.8 million renter households with extremely low incomes account for 25% of all renter households and 9% of all U.S. households. Of the 10.4… <\/p>\n

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