The Question of Moral
Last month, I heard on NPR that nearly 30 people died in Phoenix, AR for the rising heat while living on the street. There were no war around and there was no crime involved. There was only heat and there was no place for them to go.
In 2000, an estimated 25,000 people in Greater Cincinnati at one time or another had no home. Many are "doubling up" with family and friends or living in shelters.
Sixty four percent of the men who are homeless have a high school diploma and almost 60% of them work, their wages are not adequate to cover the cost of housing. The total number of people experiencing homelessness in a 12-month period from March 2000, to March 2001, was estimated to be 25,308 This represents a 5,000 person increase from the 1993 study, which itself was double the 1986 study estimate. (Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless).
According to HUD, affordable housing consumers no more than 30 percents of income. Housing expenses include rent and mortgage payments, property taxes, and utilities. HUD defined low-income as a ration of household income to area median family income of 80% or less. In 2002, the Cincinnati area family median income was $64,200. For a four-person household, low-income is having an annual income of $51,440 or less.It is natural to cringe at the complexity of these definitions. But they have value, including comparability over time. It must be emphasized that the term low-income encompasses many American households, including not just people who live in poverty, but many, many working adults and retired citizens.
Yesterday, I just talked with my neighbor who has been living in a Mercy Housing apartment for nine years. She said she was just moved to another apartment across the street, while Mercy Housing sold the apartment out to build 100 affordable apartments on Main Street. Where did the people go? I said. She mentioned that they were "relocated." I just hope none of them end up joining the numbers of those living on the street.
It shouldn't happened in the wealthiest country in the world, but it did.
In 2000, an estimated 25,000 people in Greater Cincinnati at one time or another had no home. Many are "doubling up" with family and friends or living in shelters.
Sixty four percent of the men who are homeless have a high school diploma and almost 60% of them work, their wages are not adequate to cover the cost of housing. The total number of people experiencing homelessness in a 12-month period from March 2000, to March 2001, was estimated to be 25,308 This represents a 5,000 person increase from the 1993 study, which itself was double the 1986 study estimate. (Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless).
According to HUD, affordable housing consumers no more than 30 percents of income. Housing expenses include rent and mortgage payments, property taxes, and utilities. HUD defined low-income as a ration of household income to area median family income of 80% or less. In 2002, the Cincinnati area family median income was $64,200. For a four-person household, low-income is having an annual income of $51,440 or less.It is natural to cringe at the complexity of these definitions. But they have value, including comparability over time. It must be emphasized that the term low-income encompasses many American households, including not just people who live in poverty, but many, many working adults and retired citizens.
Yesterday, I just talked with my neighbor who has been living in a Mercy Housing apartment for nine years. She said she was just moved to another apartment across the street, while Mercy Housing sold the apartment out to build 100 affordable apartments on Main Street. Where did the people go? I said. She mentioned that they were "relocated." I just hope none of them end up joining the numbers of those living on the street.
It shouldn't happened in the wealthiest country in the world, but it did.
posted by dyah kartikawening at
3:10 AM
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