Re: Affordable Housing vs Low Income Households | <– Date –> <– Thread –> |
From: Kathryn McCamant (kmccamantcohousing-solutions.com) | |
Date: Mon, 30 Dec 2019 12:04:43 -0800 (PST) |
Very very few existing cohousing communities have gotten any government subsidies. Government subsidies tend to come with a lot of restrictions, and we currently have very few subsidies for affordable housing in the US. Canada may be better. IMHO opinion, the easiest way to incorporate rentals into communities is to have some of your members and supporters with resources purchase several homes as long term rentals, with full community support. That said, it is important to understand that even that option will likely bring in a lower return as an investment than just buying an existing home down the road as a rental (no HOA dues, and no one to bother you about what you should or should not be doing as a landlord). Thus, for this to happen, the community really needs to support the investors willing to do it for the good of diversifying the economics of your community. If you are seeking government subsidies, I would recommend that you find a local affordable housing developer that understands current programs and where the money might be found. Then design your project around the requirements for those sources of funds. Trying to find your way thru the government subsidy maze the first time would defeat most people. Katie -- Kathryn McCamant, President CoHousing Solutions 241B Commercial Street Nevada City, CA 95959 T.530.478.1970 C.916.798.4755 www.cohousing-solutions.com On 12/30/19, 11:24 AM, "Cohousing-L on behalf of Lynne MARKELL" <cohousing-l-bounces+kmccamant=cohousing-solutions.com [at] cohousing.org on behalf of lmarkell [at] rogers.com> wrote: Kathryn, good to get your take on this. Do you have any suggestions for how to make cohousing more affordable or how to offer some more affordable options such as rentals? It seems that some projects are able to have get some government subsidies for a few units. I would recommend that these geographically specific programs be better documented so they can be shared with other jurisdictions. If I had more details I could advocate for similar programs in Canada. Having worked in government relations, I found that bureaucrats and politicians were more willing to consider new programs if they had been successful elsewhere. Then the bureaucrats can question the people who admistered the specific programs. The more specific the "ask", the better chance of success. I think the affordability conference should include a session on government subsidy programmes Lynne Lynne Markell, Lmarkell [at] rogers.com (613) 842-5222 On Dec 30, 2019, at 1:25 PM, Kathryn McCamant <kmccamant [at] cohousing-solutions.com> wrote: >> On Dec 30, 2019, at 11:58 AM, R Philip Dowds alt addr via Cohousing-L <cohousing-l [at] cohousing.org> wrote: > >> I will say again: We do NOT have an “affordable housing” problem. What we have is a serious income inequality problem. Trying to create affordable housing by cheapening the product — and cheapening it within the paradigm of the stand-alone single family dwelling — simply leads us further into the dead ends of the unsatisfactory (“mobile” homes) and the absurd (tiny houses). If we combined more multi-family zoning with the progressive tax structure that served America so well in the ’50’s and ’60’s, the affordable housing problem would pretty much solve itself." > > I tend to agree with the above statement. As one who has done more cohousing development budgets than just about anyone, it drives me crazy what it cost for new construction today. And yet, on these cohousing projects no one is making big profits and most of the professionals could easily make more money doing other kinds of projects. Yes, people can adjust their expectations for how much space they need, but there is a limit on how much people will be willing to do that. > > Katie > -- > Kathryn McCamant, President > CoHousing Solutions > > 241B Commercial Street > > Nevada City, CA 95959 > > T.530.478.1970 C.916.798.4755 > > www.cohousing-solutions.com > > > > > > On 12/30/19, 9:26 AM, "Cohousing-L on behalf of Sharon Villines via Cohousing-L" <cohousing-l-bounces+kmccamant=cohousing-solutions.com [at] cohousing.org on behalf of cohousing-l [at] cohousing.org> wrote: > >>> On Dec 30, 2019, at 11:58 AM, R Philip Dowds alt addr via Cohousing-L <cohousing-l [at] cohousing.org> wrote: >> >> I will say again: We do NOT have an “affordable housing” problem. What we have is a serious income inequality problem. Trying to create affordable housing by cheapening the product — and cheapening it within the paradigm of the stand-alone single family dwelling — simply leads us further into the dead ends of the unsatisfactory (“mobile” homes) and the absurd (tiny houses). If we combined more multi-family zoning with the progressive tax structure that served America so well in the ’50’s and ’60’s, the affordable housing problem would pretty much solve itself. > > Very good point, Philip. And nicely said. > > How would those who are trying to develop or find a place in cohousing use this understanding? For the cohousing movement, for the Association, it’s a good long term focus. Maybe even a good argument to be used on zoning boards? But what to do about the meeting with the bank next month? > > Sharon > ---- > Sharon Villines > Takoma Village Cohousing, Washington DC > http://www.takomavillage.org > > > > > _________________________________________________________________ > Cohousing-L mailing list -- Unsubscribe, archives and other info at: > http://L.cohousing.org/info > > > > > > _________________________________________________________________ > Cohousing-L mailing list -- Unsubscribe, archives and other info at: > http://L.cohousing.org/info > > > _________________________________________________________________ Cohousing-L mailing list -- Unsubscribe, archives and other info at: http://L.cohousing.org/info
- Re: Affordable Housing vs Low Income Households, (continued)
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Re: Affordable Housing vs Low Income Households rphilipdowds, December 30 2019
- Re: Affordable Housing vs Low Income Households Sharon Villines, December 30 2019
- Re: Affordable Housing vs Low Income Households Kathryn McCamant, December 30 2019
- Re: Affordable Housing vs Low Income Households Lynne MARKELL, December 30 2019
- Re: Affordable Housing vs Low Income Households Kathryn McCamant, December 30 2019
- Re: Affordable Housing vs Low Income Households Sharon Villines, December 30 2019
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Re: Affordable Housing vs Low Income Households rphilipdowds, December 30 2019
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