We can't end homelessness by ending homelessness
How can the FSP focus on the broader policy changes needed to prevent all types of homelessness (not just chronic)? While housing subsidies are present in the plan, can the revised FSP include support for significantly raising the minimum wage (beyond $10.10) and creating economic opportunities and career ladders that pay a housing/living wage? How can we increase the supply of unsubsidized affordable housing? Can the National Housing Trust Fund and other housing/tax/finance reform be present in revised strategies? Data measures could include tracking the number/percent of American households paying more than 30% of its income on housing.
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Rick commented
Paying 30% of income is meaningless unless it is compared with the level of income and the local cost of living. For example, if someone pays $300/month rent and has $1000/month income, that is a severe rent burden. But if someone pays $3000/month for rent and has $10000/month income, they can still live comfortably almost anywhere in the US. Local COLA data is available already since federal per diem and salary decisions are based on it.
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N J Sherman commented
Raising wages without simultaneously lowering or limiting rent costs is like pouring more water into a pail with a hole in it. One without the other doesn't guarantee a net gain for those in need.
We need a way to create or incentivize affordable housing which has its rent tied to the incomes of people who are living at 50% of Area Median Income or less. And we need a way to match the DEMAND (total number of people at that level) with the SUPPLY (total number of units affordable to those people).
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N J Sherman commented
"Data measures could include tracking the number/percent of American households paying more than 30% of its income on housing."
THAT is how you know how many more affordable housing units your community needs to produce. THAT is how you predict how many people are at-risk of homelessness.