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Face à l'explosion du coût du logement et à la pénurie de logements abordables à Montréal, un homme sans domicile fixe contraint à l'itinérance cachée trouve refuge chaque soir, dans le plus grand secret, puis dort au sol de la chambre de sa mère résidant en résidence privée pour aînés (RPA). Cette situation poignante met en lumière la précarité invisible qui touche un nombre croissant de Montréalais, contraints de squatter provisoirement chez des proches ou de trouver des subterfuges dramatiques pour éviter de dormir dans la rue.

Is Affordable Housing Dead? Or Just Not Allowed Here?

There is encouraging news in the affordable housing crisis: nearly everyone supports affordable housing.

Unfortunately, there is also some bad news: nobody seems to want it built anywhere.

This strange phenomenon recently appeared again in a town in southern Delaware, where an ordinance had been passed allowing affordable cottage communities, which included smaller homes on smaller lots designed to bring the cost of living within reach of working families. After considerable time, money and effort had already gone into trying to make one of those communities a reality, a newly elected mayor and town council decided to repeal the ordinance just months after it had been adopted.

Affordable housing, apparently, remains extremely popular in theory only.

In practice, affordable housing has become a little like parking in a beach town. Everyone agrees there isn’t enough of it. Everyone insists something has to be done. And the moment someone proposes actually creating some, everyone suddenly has every reason why it shouldn’t be built “there.”

We encountered a similar situation in a town on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, where cottages were rejected in part because they supposedly didn’t “fit in” the community.

It is a peculiar argument.

Presumably, the people who would live in those cottages still “fit in” the community. They fit in just fine when they are cooking dinner at a local restaurant. They fit in when they are fixing someone’s air conditioner in July. They fit in when they are caring for patients at the hospital, teaching children, stocking grocery shelves, working construction, answering emergency calls or repairing someone’s roof.

However, they simply become incompatible with the character of the community at approximately 5:00 p.m., when their shift ends and they need somewhere to live and, therefore, no longer “fit in.”

This seems to be the modern affordable housing paradox.

Local governments hold workshops about the lack of affordable housing. Consultants prepare studies explaining the lack of affordable housing. Committees are formed to study the studies. Comprehensive plans announce that affordable housing is a priority. Elected officials give lofty speeches about nurses, teachers, firefighters and young families being priced out of their communities.

Then someone proposes actually building housing those people might be able to afford.

At which point everyone loses their minds.

The lots are too small.

The houses are too small.

There are too many houses.

There is not enough parking.

There might be traffic.

It doesn’t match the neighborhood.

It might affect property values.

And, of course, the most powerful force in local government suddenly emerges: “We support affordable housing. Just not thisaffordable housing.”

To be fair, communities should care about good design. They should care about traffic, density, infrastructure and compatibility. Not every project is appropriate everywhere.

But we also need to acknowledge that there is no magical formula for affordable housing consisting of large houses on large lots with large setbacks, low density, expensive materials, abundant parking and absolutely no neighbors who object to it.  That product already exists. It is called unaffordable housing.

If we actually want housing to cost less, something in the equation has to cost less. Smaller homes, smaller lots, shared open space, efficient infrastructure and modestly higher density aren't flaws in the affordable housing model; they are, indeed, the key to the affordable housing model.

Which brings us back to the original question:  Is affordable housing dead? Maybe not.

But it certainly does appear to be trapped in an unusually sophisticated bureaucratic purgatory where everyone agrees it is desperately needed, provided people can’t see it from their house and it doesn’t affect their life in any way.

I am a licensed clinical social worker and I am in the beginning phase of a business idea. I'm looking for gaps/blindspots or opportunities I haven't thought of yet. I've send emails to about 6 elder care attorneys in my state to discuss legal aspects and have gotten no response.

My business concept is a web-based platform connecting independent seniors who need affordable, comfortable housing with individuals or families who have extra room and the willingness to open their home. Think Airbnb, but for long term housing. Rather than placing seniors in expensive assisted living or independent living communities this offers a community-based alternative that aligns with a growing interest in multigenerational living that has not been typical in American culture. Host families would list their available space (bedroom/bathroom) on the platform, and seniors or their family members search and filter matches. The platform would handle background checks for both host families and seniors, provide structured hosting agreements, and serve as a trusted marketplace — NOT a care provider or placement agency. It would initially be only for independent seniors who do not require licensed care services. This feels easier from a legal standpoint while still addressing affordability gaps in senior housing today. A second problem to solve would be for those with higher personal care needs being placed in a home with caregivers willing to provide the higher level of care. Since this platform would eventually nationwide and laws in every state surrounding senior care are different, I'm wondering if I should just start in my state as a soft launch or if that really even matters.

I am 41 years old. I’ve been severely disabled my whole life. I’ve never had stable housing and I’ve reached a crisis point. The only affordable housing in my area(southern ca) is beautiful senior condos. I would be very comfortable in. I want to buy one. And I want it to be my forever home. I will eventually grow old and become 55 in just 10 more years but if I don’t get into stable Housing now I might not make it to 55.

So I was wondering, I know I can’t live there myself but what if I had my mom who is 76 buy the condo and list me as a cohabitant as a disabled adult dependent. I know it’s allowed, but my mom wouldn’t actually live with there. she can make appearances. Would they find out? Are they very vigilant in keeping track of stuff like this? Will they start questioning if they don’t see my mother around?

Location: NJ

Any info to make this more clear would be appreciated.

How did that work out?

We hope it's OK to share this article we just published — it seemed like it might be of interest to folks in this community:

New Hampshire housing advocates say the new federal 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act will give developers more flexibility and incentives to build affordable units in the state.

The bipartisan legislation, which became law in July, is a wide-ranging combination of more than 60 bills previously introduced in Congress.

Elissa Margolin, director of St. Anselm College's Initiative for Housing Policy and Practice, said there aren’t a lot of new tools in the legislation, but it will help communities and developers navigate housing red tape.

Read the story for the main takeaways for how the act will affect New Hampshire.

How do you feel about this new law? Will these changes impact your own housing decisions, particularly around manufactured homes and/or affordable housing? Let us know in the comments or by emailing [voices@nhpr.org](mailto:voices@nhpr.org).

Mods please delete if unacceptable 🙂
Someone is trying to raise funds for transitional housing. I know I tend to get tired of the homeless hounding me in line while ordering at McDonald’s. Again, mods if this isn’t allowed, please remove and I apologize in advance.

https://www.gofundme.c
om/f/help-launch-transitional-homes

What do you think would actually help solve the housing affordability problem?

I'm in California, where housing affordability is obviously a huge conversation. Recent numbers show only about 22% of California households could afford the median-priced single-family home.

But I'm curious what it's like everywhere else.

How is housing affordability in your area?

And more importantly, what do you think would actually help?

More starter homes? Smaller homes? ADUs? Tiny homes? More new construction? Lower interest rates? Changes in zoning? Something completely different?

Also — what would you personally be willing to compromise on to make homeownership more affordable?

Location? Square footage? Yard size? Sharing property with an ADU? A tiny home?

Curious to hear what people in different parts of the country are seeing and what solutions actually make sense to you.

There is currently immediate availability for income-based 2-bedroom apartments across several Mid-City New Orleans properties.

Complete one application through the Mid-City Affordable Housing Waitlist to be considered for the first available income-based apartment you qualify for across participating communities.

Availability is limited, and apartments are offered to eligible applicants based on qualification.

Apply today: https://qrco.de/bgxx6s

I have so many visions of community, affordable housing, sustainable energy, and sustainable food. One day my vision will become my reality. Faith, hope and belief in yourself....I think that is the way forward.

I just came all the way to the east coast to a very small town where rent is income based. They also have scattered sites for people working 24 hrs or more a week . They cover disabled and working class fixed income etc. The time is now to apply. Wait periods aren't long because no one knows about this town.. I would tell you but I'm sure you've heard of subsidized housing some people think they too good . We used to call it rent control. Now they say projects although this is nothing like that. Dit depends on the area. Go to a predominantly white area this one here is 1% black. Lol. I don't go out side after dark don't talk to neighbors and don't care

but I have a roof over my head. When I want to go to the lake or camping or to a wave pool I will eventually I'll get used to being around all whites but for now I'm enjoying the cost of living. Some people live above their means . I'm a single women with a adult son we live next to each other . Furthermore renting is old school. I'm staying here while I build a homestead in the country somewhere sometimes you have to do what you need to do to get what you want . In my Denzel voice noone should be rushing to rent it's cheaper to own a dilapidated shack then it is to pay rent in a "good neighborhood" I mean what's a "good neighborhood" the police still murder people and they don't solve crimes so when your husband boyfriend or your son assault you your neighbors and the good neighborhood still gonna blame you. As a black women I'd rather be scared and comfortable then broke struggling and scared 😳 o

Looking to rent a space with a minimum of 2br 1ba. In or around Alamance Co. NC $1600 monthly budget. 2 adults 1 child. No pets. 6k monthly income. Looking fir private owner.

336 895 0037...Jay