Public Housing Myths
*adapted from the Baytown Housing Authority
Public housing is one of American society's greatest success stories.
It works as an instrument to build stronger communities and everyone
benefits, from affluent to destitute. Those who would argue otherwise
just don't know the facts! As with most public programs, a rare or
occasional failure makes the media headlines while the overall program
is quietly making a huge and successful difference in the lives of
individuals or the economic and social welfare of communities throughout
the country. By helping our citizens become self-sufficient, they
become able to contribute to the community rather than depend on
it. Public housing authorities are also actively involved in purchasing
and redeveloping housing units to increase the availability of affordable,
attractive housing to low and middle income families. In doing so,
considerable community revitalization occurs. Housing quality and
standards inspections of privately owned apartment units housing
rental assisted residents raises the overall standard of living for
all residents in that particular community. Public housing authorities
are not "slumlords;" they are community builders!
The Housing Authority of the City of Austin is one of 424 public housing authorities
in Texas and over 3,200 nationwide that contain over 14,000 public housing developments,
consisting of over 35,000 buildings, helping 1.4 million families and providing
safe and healthy housing for over 5 million Americans who would prefer and are
working to become self-sufficient. PHAs can vary in size from 20 units to over
10,000 and serve communities of a few as 500 to 10 million residents. The need
is determined by individual and contingent circumstances (e.g. local economics),
regardless of location or community size.
Yet the need far surpasses the supply of affordable housing. The Austin Housing
Authority has a multiyear waiting list for public housing assistance, with priority
given to elderly and disabled, which is typical of most PHAs, regardless of size
and location. The need to work in close harmony with the community's businesses,
individuals and government / nonprofit agencies cannot be over-emphasized. Governmental
assistance relieves the effects from, but cannot eliminate the causes of, problems
that place people in economic and social crisis. These include uncontrollable
economic events, unexpected family tragedies, generational poverty cycles, etc.
Innovative collaborations with private entities are needed to identify and implement
new ways to provide affordable housing, either rental or home ownership opportunities
to those seeking the American dream of a stable home for their families.
Resident satisfaction surveys tallied by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban
Development showed that an average satisfaction rate with public housing authorities
and programs nationally is 75 percent. This exceeded customer satisfaction rates
for major U.S. corporations (such as McDonalds, Mariott and CitiBank, which are
among the highest ranked in independent surveys), so public housing as an enterprise
must be doing something right! Yet, the biggest concern is to address the 25
percent area where improvements are needed. HUD's Public Housing Assessment System
intends to open the doors of visibility to public housing's success as an American
institution by presenting the facts about public housing's success and impact
on communities and American life in general. Every public housing authority participates
and receives comprehensive ratings on all aspects of housing management, resident
satisfaction and success toward self-sufficiency and quality of physical facilities.
We need to let this secret out of the bag -- public housing works and is "a
part of," not "apart from," our local community both socially
and economically. The Austin Housing Authority is a team player and integral
part of the Austin community in this regard.
A lack of affordable housing negatively affects employers, seniors, poor people,
immigrants, entry-level and service sector workers and public sector professionals
such as teachers, firefighters and police officers. It also impinges on broader
quality of life issues such as the economic development of the region, traffic
congestion, commute times and air quality. In short, it affects us all. Effectively
addressing the affordable housing crisis does mean addressing the needs of the
poor. However, it also means addressing the needs of the business community,
working and middle-class families and the broader population.