Housing drive

Dear Editor,

The Housing America Campaign 2007 is in full swing across the nation. The campaign goal is to highlight the critical affordable housing shortage and the need for programs, policies and resources to effectively address local housing needs.

Nine out of 10 Americans cite affordable housing as a high priority, and more than half believe the housing policy with respect to the provision of affordable housing is on the wrong track, according to a new Zogby America poll.

In this poll, Zogby International conducted a telephone survey of 1,205 adults nationwide with approximately 55 questions asked.

The key findings were that American adults rate affordable housing as a top priority in their lives and that they believe that U.S. Housing policy is failing. Ninety percent of those polled cited affordable housing as a top or high priority in their lives.

According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition a Nebraska a wager earner would have to earn approximately $10.10 per hour and work 40 hours per week to be able to afford a modest two bedroom home and utilities. This calculation assumes you will spend no more than 30 percent of your income on shelter costs (the generally accepted standard of affordability). Is it no wonder that low wager earners are constantly battling some crisis trying to make ends meet?

What can you do to support affordable housing in your community? Take the time to talk to your local, state and federal elected leaders. Are they doing all they can to promote affordable housing and protect funding to these programs in your community? Is affordable housing on THEIR high priority list? Send a letter or an email to your representatives and see where they stand on issues concerning affordable housing and subsidized housing.

Check out the funding for these programs. With April just around the corner we still do not know what funding our housing authority will receive for calendar year 2007 and fiscal year 2007/2008. We have been told to expect cuts of 20-30 percent and the bottom line really means that there will be more people in crisis because of it.

Rebecca Dutcher

Executive Director

McCook Housing Agency