20 Jan Factoids On Affordable and Public Housing

– In 1934 The U.S. Federal Housing Administration was created following widespread homelessness and economic hardships following the Great Depression. Construction of subdivisions for white families is subsidized but African-American neighborhoods are intentionally excluded thus the beginning of the practice is known as “redlining”. 

-In 1937 U.S. Housing Act creates federal low-income housing, which leads to far better living conditions at affordable rates.

-Since the Section 8 programs in the early 1970s, no new major federal housing program has targeted the meet the needs of the poorest segment of America

-Nationwide, there are only 30 units of housing affordable and available for every 100 extremely low-income Americans.

-The US loses two affordable apartments each year for every one created.

-In the 1970s, Section 8 housing was introduced.

-During the 1980s administration of Ronald Reagan the federal government relinquishes much of their responsibility regarding affordable housing, leaving local governments to prioritize the issue however they see fit. DC housing programs attempted to fill the federal void.

-Seniors and residents with disabilities represent 55 percent of all heads of households in DC’s public housing, a total of 4,000 households.

-One third of households in DC’s public housing are headed by an elderly person, half of whom also have a disability. Another fifth of households are headed by a nonelderly person with a disability.

-Fourteen of DC’s 40 public housing properties – which include about one-fourth of all public housing units – are dedicated for seniors and people with disabilities. These properties provide accessible units, often with supportive services onsite or close by. 

-There are approximately 1.2 million households living in public housing units, managed by some 3,300 HAs.

– Public Housing is government owned and managed properties where very low-income families, seniors, and persons with disabilities pay 30 percent of their income as rent.

– In the United States, the 2020 two-bedroom Housing Wage is $32.02. This national average is multiple times the federal minimum wage. In no state can a full-time minimum wage worker afford a one-bedroom or a two-bedroom rental unit at Fair Market Rent.