Housing
Needs
Families moving from welfare to work will have special needs in the private housing market. Housing costs, discriminatory practices, and availability of housing are a few of the issues facing families moving from welfare to work. Families and individuals need to know where to go and how to request assistance with housing.
Concerns
Communities must address the housing concerns of those moving from welfare to work. Housing is an essential need for all persons. Not only is it a place of shelter, but it also has deep psychological and emotional influences on people, providing them with a feeling of safety and security. If workers do not have safe, decent, and affordable housing, they will not be productive members of the work force. For example, a mother who remains awake at night worrying about someone breaking into her home and harming her family will not be a productive worker. An employee concerned about how to make unaffordable rent payments will probably not focus on the job as well as someone without such concerns.
Community Response
Communities can draw upon a variety of partners when addressing the housing needs of those moving from welfare to work. Some partners assist communities and individuals by helping to locate affordable housing. Others help to establish affordable housing in their area by providing low interest loans. Still other partners can be involved in the education of individuals and families as they move from publicly supported housing to housing in the private sector.
Strategies
1. Forming Housing Partnerships
Many communities already have coalitions that address affordable housing. If there is not one in your community, perhaps you could develop one. This group could assist in identifying affordable housing in the community. This group can also work to overcome the barriers to affordable housing development. The members should be representative of those who can help solve affordable housing problems as well as those that the coalition should be designed to help. Members could include repreentatives of the following agencies and organizations:
• local public housing authority
• community action council
• community development corporation
• financial institution
• county/city government
• county cooperative extension
• nonprofit housing organization
• trade association
• social service agency
• church or religious organization
• public utilities
• welfare-to-work participants
2. Rental Market Practices
Some families, particularly those made up of single mothers, feel that they have been discriminated against in the housing market. It is important for potential tenants and landlords to be fully aware of the Fair Housing Act, which prohibits discrimination in housing because of race or color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status (including children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians; pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18; and people with disabilities). It is important that individuals moving from welfare to work understand their rights in the housing market.
Both landlords and tenants alike need to be aware of the fair housing laws. Communities can enlist the help of legal professionals in putting on a series of workshops related to landlords and tenants.
If individuals feel that they have been discriminated against in the housing market, they can file a complaint in one of three ways:
• By visiting the local HUD office and talking to a representative there.
• By calling the toll-free Fair Housing Hotline at 1-800-669-9777.
• By writing to:
Office of Fair Housing and Equal OpportunityU.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Room 5204
451 Seventh Street SW
Washington, DC 20410-2000
3. Helping Renters be Informed
Communities may wish to sponsor a "Renters Fair." This would give tenants an opportunity to see what kind of housing is available and at what price. Landlords could advertise their properties and meet prospective tenants. The fair could include workshops that emphasize tenant responsibilities such as paying rent on time, caring for the rental unit, respecting the rights of other tenants, and cleaning the rental unit.
Workshops should also focus on the landlords responsibility to the tenant, including complying with health and safety regulations and building codes and in maintaining the unit.
Workshops should also emphasize the process by which tenants and landlords can terminate rental agreements and where and how to settle disputes.
Some rental communities have tenant associations in place. These groups work to communicate needs and problems between landlords and tenants. If such a association does not exist, encourage tenants to start one for their rental community.
Communities may want to develop a certificate program for potential tenants who have been through a series of educational workshops focused on renting. This could be a potential benefit to landlords because an informed tenant is usually a responsible tenant.
4. Reducing Housing Costs
There are a number of ways renters and home owners can reduce the costs (rent, utilities, repairs, furnishings, etc.) associated with housing. If families are moving from assisted housing to the private housing market, they may be surprised at the market cost of housing.
Sharing a home is one way to reduce housing costs. Communities could set up a home-sharing network -- matching people who wish to share living space and expenses. It is important to remember that home sharing comes with its own unique set of problems and may not be a good option for everyone. Each individual entering into this type of agreement should be carefully counseled. Before this kind of agreement is entered into, potential home sharers must ask themselves:
• What is my need for privacy?
• How do I feel about sharing common space and items?
• Who will be responsible for what chores?
• How will disputes between home sharers be settled?
There are also legal considerations, such as whose name will be on the lease and on the phone, electric, gas, and other bills. The person who has the service in his or her name is responsible for paying the bill. Because of the potential financial and legal difficulties, it is essential that individuals think carefully and be properly counseled before entering into this sort of agreement.
Repairing housing can be a major expense for many families. Do-it-yourself projects can help save money; however, many people lack the necessary skills. Communities can help increase the self-sufficiency of the working poor by working with local home improvement stores, local contractors, and civic groups. In some cases the individual or family will do the actual repair; in others it may be an organization or group that assists or teaches the tenant how to do the fix-up. Activities that communities can sponsor include how-to-fix-it workshops and community repair or clean-up days
Many communities also have local groups that can assist tenants with heating and cooling concerns. Home weatherization can save families money while making housing more efficient. Hardware and home improvement stores may be willing to conduct "how-to" workshops or provide materials such as caulking, weather-stripping, and insulation to help families with energy costs.
Work with local charities, consignment stores, thrift stores, the Salvation Army, and churches to start a home furnishings bank. Setting up a household requires many things, including furniture, dishes, and appliances. Donations of good used furniture and household items can be collected and distributed to those in need.
5. Housing Resource Information
One of the best resources for finding out about housing producers and service providers in North Carolina is the Housing Resource Manual developed by the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency. This manual is designed to help individuals who need to locate housing assistance, to help organizations make referrals to individuals in need of housing, and to increase the networks and partnerships of housing and service providers. For easy use, the manual is indexed by type of organization, type of service, and service area. It also includes information related to housing delivery system and federal or state funding sources. For information about the Housing Resource Manual, contact the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency at 919-781-6115 or write to:
Housing Resource Manual
Department of Program Development
North Carolina Housing Finance Agency
P.O. Box 28066
Raleigh, NC 27611-8066
6. Educational Publications
There are a variety of housing publications from many sources that can be helpful to families as they move from welfare to work. Your local County Cooperative Extension Office has publications and educational programs that can assist those who are entering the rental and home ownership market for the first time. The series A Home for Your Family takes potential renters and home owners through the steps of the home purchase. There is also the My Home Book curriculum designed to help first-time home owners maintain their homes value and continue to meet their financial obligation of home ownership.
In addition to home purchasing resources, the local County Cooperative Extension Office can provide resources on home weatherization, maintenance and repair, budgeting, and many other housing-related topics.
