Monday, July 9, 2007

Sign on to the Housing America 2007 Petition!

More than 70 years ago, this nation committed itself to providing a decent home and suitable living environment for all Americans. To date, this promise has not been fully realized. With renewed public support and enlightened leadership, we are committed to reestablishing this objective as a national priority.

We believe this is a critical national objective that can only be met through an unwavering federal commitment; an ongoing ability on the part of state and local government to fill in the gaps created by the limits of federal assistance; a dedicated, mission-driven not-for-profit community, and a forward-thinking private sector.

Today, 15.6 million households pay more than half of their income for housing; homeless estimates are nearly 750,000. America is the best housed nation on earth, yet for a growing and more economically-diverse number of families, children, seniors and persons with disabilities, affordable housing in quality communities is illusionary. As individuals, organizations, and a nation, we must do more and do better to help those least able to help themselves.

Safe, decent and affordable housing is pivotal in our society—beyond providing basic shelter, it positively impacts the economy and improves the quality of our environment.

Over the years, the public and private sectors have learned much about the cost-effective provision of affordable housing. Together we know what works, what does not work, and why, yet unmet housing needs in our communities persist. Each in our own way, using the resources available to us, we recommit ourselves today to a national goal of meeting the housing needs of all Americans.

To sign on to the petition, please click on "Comments" below and leave a comment with your name, zip code, address and, if you wish, organization. The signers will eventually be compiled into hard copy format and delivered to members of Congress. If you have any questions, please contact Mary Barron at mbarron -at- nahro.org.

Sunday, July 8, 2007

Americans Consider Affordable Housing a Top Issue

A Zogby International poll commissioned by the Housing America 2007 partners found that nine out of ten Americans cite affordable housing as a high priority, and more than half believe housing policy with respect to the provision of affordable housing is on the wrong track.

The poll results underscore America's affordable housing crisis. One-third of respondents cited having a decent, affordable place to live as their number one priority. The poll also shows that affordable housing will affect the way Americans vote. Seventy-five percent said that presidential candidates' ideas for providing more affordable housing were important in determining for whom they would vote. Nearly seven in ten said they would be more likely to vote for a candidate who had articulated a detailed plan for providing affordable housing.

In short, affordable housing matters. See the full poll results below for more details.