From the book that Kelsey and I are presenting on, I have thought about a few problems that might arise when we make affordable housing more available.  This is not to say that we should axe affordable housing all together, rather, we should just keep some things in mind.  First, if we have an open application process for affordable housing, i.e. anyone can apply, and most likely get it, wouldn’t that possibly create a dangerous community among those who live in low income ousting areas?  I remember reading Sidewalk and hearing stories about how people would make a choice to either stay on the street or purchase a spot in a shelter for the night.  The cost wasn’t an issue for them, rather it was safety.  The shelters themselves were dangerous.  How would we provide a safe environment among low income housing communities?

Another issue that the book looks at is the increasing standards of living among the middle and upper middle class.  Real estate agents and city councils want to attract high income individuals to their areas, so housing construction includes putting in more amenities, more bedrooms, bathrooms, better technology, ect.  And not surprisingly, this is raising housing costs.  How to House the Homeless suggests that we bring the standards of housing down, with fewer regulations as to what amenities must be included in any kind of housing.  So, a lower standard of living would be present among these communities.  With hardly any regulations, these low income housing areas could have the potential to appear  somewhat like a prison complex.  How do turn the “projects” into real communities?