Workforce Housing STL » What is Your Workforce Housing IQ?

What is Your Workforce Housing IQ?

1.“Affordable housing” or “Workforce Housing” is just another way of saying Section 8 and Public Housing.

True

False

2.Affordable housing will reduce my property value.

True

False

3.Affordable housing in my neighborhood will increase crime.

True

False

4.Wages are not keeping pace with housing prices.

True

False

5.Which of these homes is affordable to working families:

6.What is the average income for a family in the St. Louis region?

7.On average, which of the following workers makes more than that average income?

a.Auto Mechanic

b.Civil Engineer

c.Child Care Worker

d.Bank Teller

e.Elementary School Teacher

f.Paralegal

g.Fire Fighter

h.Computer Programmer
i.Janitor

8.How much is a median priced home in the region?

9.Of Missouri’s 30 most prevalent occupations, how many can afford to buy the median priced home in the St. Louis region?

a.4

b.8

c.17

d.25

10.Of those seeking beds in St. Louis City’s and County’s homeless shelters, how many have jobs?

a.8%

b.24%

c.47%

d.63%

11.What’s the limit you should spend on housing, to live “affordably” by federal standards?

a.10% of your gross income

b.20%

c.30%

d.40%

Ready for the Answers?

False

Public housing and Section 8 subsidized rentals are just a small part of the picture. Many working families are not receiving any subsidy and cannot afford the fair market rent or afford to buy even a “starter home” in the region. Development of attractive, affordable housing by nonprofit and for-profit developers is an essential piece of the affordable housing picture.

False

It is a common belief that affordable housing, including residential care facilities and supportive housing, will lower neighboring property values. However, numerous studies conducted over a period of many years and in various locations find that this widely held preconception is incorrect. Why? Because property values are primarily determined by the condition of the particular property for sale and other broader, more complex forces such as overall area development and prosperity. For more information see this California Department of Housing and Community Development Report.

False

There is no evidence that affordable housing increases a neighborhood’s crime rate. In fact, as a tool of economic development, it can often reduce crime. Why? The National Crime Prevention Council says that “neighborhood cohesion and economic stability are enhanced in areas where the continuing supply of dispersed, affordable housing is assured.”

True.

Wages increased 1.6 % while the price of a house went up 9.3% in the same time period in 2004.

All of the above

Still think all affordable housing is ugly?

$65,900

is the area median income for a family of four according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

None of the above

$140,000

4

(http://www.missourieconomy.org/occupations/profiles/top30employing.stm)

10.

47%

11.

30%

See more housing myths and what you can say when you hear one