If our community would stand together and demand that true affordable housing becomes a reality, ...

[Sapphire Blue]

... their chances for survival increase significantly."

Raising a Baby in Poverty
Jania Gaines Cox

Jania is a happy baby. She does not notice how hard her mother works to take care of her. If we would demand that affordable housing is built, her chances for survival increase significantly.

In November 2006, Jania turned three years old. She lives in a two-bedroom apartment in a crime-ridden neighborhood in West Oakland. Her mother has two low-paying jobs and works six to seven days a week. Jania and her mom Naomi live in poverty.

Naomi has applied for AFDC and food stamps and was denied. Since Jania was born, Naomi has submitted numerous applications for subsidized housing, with no results. Naomi wants to go back to school; but having to take care of a baby and keep a roof over their heads, finding time for school is difficult.

Jania is a happy baby. She does not notice how hard her mother works to take care of her basic needs. She also does not know that when her mother was six years old, she was homeless. Naomi's parents fell on really hard times, and for four years, Naomi, her parents and her three younger brothers lived in motels and shelters.

The situation facing Naomi and Jania is not unique. Many families live on the edge, where the loss of wages or an unexpected health crisis can drop a family into homelessness. With hard work and grace, Naomi and Jania might make it.

If our community would stand together and demand that true affordable housing becomes a reality, their chances for survival increase significantly.


http://www.thestreetspirit.org/Dec2006/mary's.htm

Think about it.

Do something about it.


TOLL FREE CAPITOL HILL SWITCHBOARD NUMBERS:

1 (800) 828 - 0498

1 (800) 459 - 1887

1 (800) 614 - 2803

1 (866) 340 - 9281

1 (866) 338 - 1015

1 (877) 851 - 6437

[EFerrari]

1. Now, there's a good idea.

K&R

[tkmorris]

2. This is what I don't understand.

"Jania and her mom Naomi live in poverty."

"Naomi has applied for AFDC and food stamps and was denied. Since Jania was born, Naomi has submitted numerous applications for subsidized housing, with no results. Naomi wants to go back to school; but having to take care of a baby and keep a roof over their heads, finding time for school is difficult.

Read that again. "Naomi has applied for AFDC and food stamps and was denied". Why? How does this happen? The requirements to obtain either of these should be set such that if you find you need them, you are eligible. It was already stated that she and her daughter live in poverty. So someone tell me, what is the issue here? How the hell does anyone justify denying them FOOD?

And again, "Since Jania was born, Naomi has submitted numerous applications for subsidized housing, with no results". So what is happening here? Is the state saying to her "Hey Miss Single Mom, I know you are working two jobs and already don't have the time or the money to give your daughter what she needs but you also are REQUIRED to live in sub-standard and likely crime-ridden conditions because those of us that have more than you do DON'T GIVE A TINKER'S DAMN WHAT HAPPENS TO YOU OR YOUR SPAWN".

Is that it? Is that the message the good ole U.S. of bloody A. wants to send to the neediest of her citizen's? I cannot even BEGIN to describe how much this pisses me off. It's madness.

I'm sorry SapphireBlue. I know you try hard to create good threads with a quiet (if insistent) tone and sound arguments and here I come to just rant all over it, but that article really set the bells off. I'll go back to my corner now.

[eridani]

4. Thank Clinton and welfare "reform" for that n/t

[Sapphire Blue]

5. We are "good ole U.S. of bloody A."

It's up to us to change things; if we don't do everything in our power to create positive change, to restore social & economic justice, we are responsible for the consequences. We need look no further than the mirror.

[flashl]

8. * redefined hunger and poverty

Some Americans Lack Food, but USDA Won't Call Them Hungry

Maybe, she should have said, I have food insecurity?

[bliss_eternal]

3. Recommended and bookmarked...

...so I can give it a good kick tomorrow! ;):hi:

Thank you for keeping the board informed on issues like this.
:yourock:

[Tsiyu]

6. One and a half million homes

both as owner-occupied and rental units, are expected to become available if HR 2895 is passed. This bill will provide funds to rehabilitate and build in both cities and rural areas.

I'm still researching it (and the objections to it) but it seems to be a faster track to homes for people than HUD's programs. The bill is also quite strict as to how funds are spent.

Check it out and encourage your congresspeoples to vote Yes on HR 2895

There is a dire need for affordable housing all over this nation. It's time we take some of the vacant buildings in our communities and make them part of the community again.


Thanks for this thread SB

[Sapphire Blue]

10. H.R.2895 - The National Affordable Housing Trust Fund Act of 2007 is an excellent bill!

I would encourage everyone to bombard Congress w/calls, emails, and letters in support of this legislation!

HR 2895

To establish the National Affordable Housing Trust Fund in the Treasury of the United States to provide for the construction, rehabilitation, and preservation of decent, safe, and affordable housing for low-income families.
Bill # H.R.2895

Original Sponsor:
Barney Frank (D-MA 4th)

Cosponsor Total: 104
(last sponsor added 10/02/2007)

92 Democrats
12 Republicans

About This Legislation:
6/28/2007--Introduced.
National Affordable Housing Trust Fund Act of 2007 - Amends the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act to establish in the Treasury a National Affordable Housing Trust Fund available to the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to provide assistance to states, Indian tribes, insular areas, and participating local jurisdictions to increase the supply of decent quality affordable housing, especially for low-income, extremely low-income, and very poor families.

http://www.congress.org/congressorg/issues/bills/?billtype=H.R.&billnumb=2895&congress=110

Additional information, including the list of cosponsors, can be found @ Thomas.

[fed-up]

7. there's an empty HUD house 1 block from me-a worker from HUD/family moved out 3 months ago

why is it still empty?

there are plenty of families in this county waiting for housing

why do employees of HUD get cheap housing? they were paying $400 a month, when average rent would be about $700

something is so wrong with the system...

[alarimer]

9. Part of the problem is that no one wants subsidized housing near them

Because they will affect "property values". There was a hearing here a few months ago about a new subsidized apartment complex in a safe, clean neighborhood but the neighbors raised holy hell because "we can't have THOSE PEOPLE living near us". So poor people are forced to live in crappy neighborhoods with lots of crime and not anywhere near where all the jobs are.