the cost

  I had made a posting about affordable housing which sparked some discussion and some push back. As usual I believe that was because I didn't write an entire article explaining my thoughts. I do forget that my remarks often do not contain any context or visual clues. You know those things that you pick up on when having a discussion with someone face to face. You can't hear anything but what is written. I had posted this: why do we build affordable housing? Well, we wouldn't want those people living next door would we. And that statement went misunderstood, and assumptions were made. It was assumed I was against affordable housing. That is most certainly not the case. I believe that everyone should have the opportunity and the ability to purchase housing anywhere they want. That isn't the case with what we call affordable housing. With that option you do not have a choice, this is where it is! 

 The concept really took off after the civil war. We called it share cropping then. A "home" was provided in exchange for a degree of work. That happened when Johnson rescinded the granting of forty acres to freed black families. They needed a place to live. An affordable alternative was provided. Then many of those freed blacks moved north to escape Jim Crow and reconstruction. They could work in the factories in the north. They needed housing and the "projects" were born. Immigrants from Europe were flooding the country as well, landing in the big cities needing housing. That continues to this day only they are simply crossing the border illegally and being given that housing at taxpayers expense. But the "projects turned into the slums and ghettos. A place for those people you didn't want next door to you! But as time moved on those places became desirable locations for the more affluent citizens, a process called gentrification took place. The affordable housing projects were relocated! 

 The thing to remember and realize is that affordable housing, in that context, is never for the benefit of those needing that housing. No, it is simply a way to house the workforce required for the affluent to increase their business. You have to have workers, as unpleasant and expensive as that may be. And for those seeking that affordable housing there is very little choice. They are over the proverbial barrel. What used to be the working poor has now become the working middle class. They are forced to take whatever they can get! Sure, you will hear a different story about that from those doing the building. They are choosing desirable locations; a portion will be kept aside solely for parks or other recreational activities. Shopping will close at hand, public transportation and even medical care readily available. It'll be a regular paradise. Well, until it isn't anymore. And those projects always decline, they never prosper. How many slums have you heard about that became desirable places for people to move to? None is the answer. If that place became desirable the projects were torn down, those folks relocated, and housing built far more suitable. What we call gentrification. 

 These housing projects are really nothing more than socialism. You are given housing, at an affordable rate, but you are also subject to the control of the landlord. Doesn't make any difference if it is an individual or the government. And the government is the worse of those choices if you have to live in affordable housing. Think rules and regulations. Is there any feeling of "ownership?" No, there is not and only the morality of the tenant controls how much care is taken. Rules and regulations exist but what is the penalty for infractions? Not much, and there is usually resentment and anger from those living in those conditions. It's a socialist dream! You are under control! You have no other choice.

  I have no solution to this problem. I certainly wish I did. When I left my hometown and joined the Navy that was happening on a small scale there. The rents were rising, fueled by the wealthy folks that wanted to live in the Hamptons. Farmland was sold to build upon. It wasn't the local people building, no sir, those folks the working class of the town couldn't afford any of that. It became quickly obvious to me. If you couldn't get a home or property through your family in some fashion, you most likely weren't getting any. It was "affordable" housing for you. That housing wasn't in the village, it wasn't in town, it was down hook and beyond. Today that land and property sells in the millions, and the locals, those working people need affordable housing. After all, someone has to do the work! And yes, the "migrants" have migrated there as well. But don't worry, the government will take care of you! We are offering affordable housing to help you out. Don't concern yourself with the real cost, it's affordable.