The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development estimates that about 5.4 millions Americans live in worst case housing. Unassisted, very low-income renters are those who have less than 50% of the area median income and who either pay more than half their income for housing or reside in substandard housing.
Low-income families often cannot afford heating and household repairs as the cost of living rises. Families can’t afford to pay for housing, or see doctors.
Affordable housing does not only make families more happy. Construction projects create jobs and increase economic growth. The home ownership model creates proud, stable citizens who are interested in maintaining healthy communities.
Communities must take steps to ensure that low-income families have affordable and decent housing. Some government programs allow residents to reclaim empty or neglected properties. The land can then be used to build single-family homes. Volunteer labor can be provided by non-profit organizations. Citizens may also work with these organizations.
Communities that build wood homes for low-income households could create new problems. Wood, as well as other traditional building materials are susceptible to moisture, insect infestations and mold growth.
Communities must look for more durable materials if they want to improve their living conditions. Concrete masonry buildings are a good example. They can withstand time and help to reduce energy consumption as well as indoor pollution.
Concrete masonry naturally regulates temperature, so that families can spend less money on insulation, heating, and cooling. Concrete walls don’t need to be painted by builders, which reduces construction costs and helps prevent the spread of airborne pollutants. Concrete masonry walls can withstand hurricane-force winds, and they are resistant to termites and mold. They also provide a long-term solution for community building needs.
Concrete masonry information can be found at www.ncma.org.
