Housing Choice Voucher Respondant: Case Study

For the past fifty years the shift from meeting the housing needs of the poor through government projects-based housing to a more individual approach, has been slowly implemented. Housing vouchers now enable underprivileged populations to move from high-poverty, segregated neighborhoods to more un-segregated, low-poverty neighborhoods. Low-poverty neighborhoods have less crime, better opportunities for employment, and more diverse schooling options. Some housing advocates however, contend that housing assistance is unnecessary and is an income subsidy that should be combined with other social safety nets (Clark, W. 2008).

Despite increased diversity across the country, America’s neighborhoods remain highly segregated along racial and ethnic lines. Residential segregation, particularly between African-Americans and whites, persists in metropolitan areas where minorities make up a large share of the population. This paper will examine residential segregation imposed upon African-Americans and the enormous costs it bears. Furthermore, the role of government will be discussed as having an important role in carrying out efforts towards residential desegregation. By developing an understanding of residential segregation and its destructive effects, parallels may be drawn between efforts aimed at combating

In “The Complexities and Processes of Racial Housing discrimination” by Vincent J. Roscigno, Diana L. Karafin, and Griff tester, the main concept of racial disparity and inequality among neighborhoods is discussed, and how those inequalities became to be. They first highlight the wide range of potentially exclusionary practices, through qualitative and quantitative data comprised of over 750 verified housing discrimination cases (Roscigno, p. 162). Citing the U.S. Census, it is found that Blacks, compared to Hispanics and Asians, continue to experience high levels of residential segregation. This is done through discriminatory practices, whether they be by exclusionary or non-exclusionary methods. Even after the passing of the Fair Housing Act in 1988, discrimination against Blacks and Hispanics decreased somewhat, though African Americans still appeared to take part in racial steering, and Hispanics continued to have limitations in regards to opportunities and access to rental units (Roscigno, p. 163).

About 80% of blacks live in neighborhoods which are isolated with other races or with little contact with them . Moreover, Minority home seekers (Blacks, Hispanics and Asian) are told about and shown fewer homes and apartments than whites. These kind of situation makes the city difficult to be diverse at neighborhood level. A WBEZ investigation analyzed that 73% of the $650-million budget (about $474 million) for new school construction went to schools where white students make up more than a quarter of the student body. Being a minority in 5.5% of Asian , discrimination did happen to me and my friend when we were receiving the customer service from representatives who belong to majority ethnic group.

In the United States, inequalities are an unfortunate evil that resonate throughout low-income individuals and minorities. Though these problems are sometimes viewed as coincidences, in the past and even in the present, there have been legislation put in place that have negatively affected specific populations in the US. Because of the injustices in the system socially constructed ideologies about race, ethnicity, and poverty, and our lacking health care system, many people experience inequalities in health. One of the biggest factors that has affected minority and low-income populations is residential segregation. An article by Boustan defines residential segregation as “the separation of racial groups in urban space.” Residential

In terms of persistence of discrimination, African Americans were reported to have been discriminated against in terms of access to information, inspection of houses, steering, unfavorable terms of finance, and lack of encouragement and assistance in housing search. As a direct result of increased enforcement and attitudinal changes of real estate agents and awareness programs, African American renters and homebuyers have seen substantial decline in discrimination. Although favoritism in favor of whites appear to be similar for both metropolitan and national levels, the reverse is the case for African Americans. African American renters and homebuyers are heavily discriminated against in metropolitan areas than any other sub-grouping. Steering,

Massey and Denton explore how racial segregation in residence has caused the making of inner city ghettos and their perpetually poor residents, most of whom are African Americans. They argue that institutional racism in the housing market enacted by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), private loan and real estate institutions and actors, and white residents

Housing codes in this country shape the way we live. They tell us everything from what is considered to be a bedroom, to how many people can live in one dwelling. Max Page and Ellen Pader looked at two different examples of the way the US’s housing policies have had a major impact on our society. Page examined the tearing down of the slums in New York City. The government claimed that the buildings were old and unsafe, and thus needed to be demolished. Pader looked at eviction of ethnic groups, particularly Latinos, from their homes in Chicago. The rational for the evictions was that there were too many people occupying one space. This was unhealthy, and thus whole families lost their homes. In both instances, the government in mandating

One of the American Dreams, home ownership, still inspiriting people to work hard and pursue their dream. In order to achieve a “color blind” society, the government set many policies to ensure everyone received the equal opportunities when they try to buy a house in the U.S. For example, the Fair Housing Act as a tool to prohibit the discrimination from color, race, gender, religion or family status (Wolf, Heath). However, there are many invisible rules or requirements that cause African American unable to access to home ownership base on the housing policy system. Because of the system, it makes the housing discrimination on African American even bigger. Of course,

There were different opinions among all Housing Specialist. Housing Specialist #1 stated that she is having issue with families because they are “picky”; in other words they are unnecessary selective. Some of the families want to move to specific places; literally they have a specific address and apartment number. Housing Specialist #2 is having issue with families with 1 and 2 bedroom vouchers; there are not many of those apartments in the five boroughs. We discuss about it and it seems like because of the

The United States Census Bureau reports that, in 2015, 13.5% of Americans lived below the poverty line (Proctor, Semega, & Kollar, 2016). The negative effects of poverty are well documented and can have a widespread effect on the lives of those individuals who are affected. They are more likely to experience income and food insecurity, chronic health conditions, and lower quality education than wealthier Americans (United States Government Accountability Office, 2007). Additionally, and more importantly to the purposes of this report, the poor are more likely to experience homelessness or live in inadequate housing. The National Alliance to End Homelessness (2016) estimates that over 500 thousand people were homeless on any given night in 2015. The federal government, recognizing this issue exists, has responded by allocating “50 billion in housing assistance specifically designated for low-income households” (CBO, p.1) in 2014, which was used to assist nearly five million households through various programs (CBPP, p.1). The housing voucher program, which accounted for the largest percentage, provides families with subsidized housing, while allowing them to choose where they live, provided the housing meets certain health and safety thresholds set by local public housing agencies (HUD, Housing Choice). Despite access to

ICM accompanied Mr. Tomey to the 811 housing voucher session located at the municipal services building. ICM assisted Mr. Tomey with completing the housing choice voucher program application. During the housing voucher session Mr. Tomey received contact information for his Tenet Service Coordinator; ICM encouraged Mr. Tomey to save the TSC's contact information in his telephone. ICM explained the role of the TSC to Mr. Tomey and encouraged him to contact TSC regarding issue related to his housing such as problems with the landlord or any rent related issues. Mr. Tomey was informed by staff at the voucher session that in order to process his housing voucher application he would need an up to date copy of his income. ICM accompanied Mr. Tomey

Good Evening Team, I wanted to follow-up with everyone so that we all can be on the same page. Today a Housing Choice Voucher Application was returned to me requesting that I have the Veteran re-sign documents that were previously signed . After talking with several HUD-VASH case managers it was determined that the same outdated forms were in all packets that were distributed to our program. I later talked with Ms. Cox the Housing Choice Voucher Specialist, and it was confirmed that the Citizenship Form in the current packets were outdated. With that in mind a request has been made that new packets be given to HUD-VASH to ensure that the housing process continue to flow without any further delays. Thank you Ms. Cox for your time to this

Public housing has the dubious legacy of being one of the biggest, most enduring and farthest-reaching failures in the history of American public policy. High-rise public housing projects like the Robert Taylor Homes and Cabrini-Green have become synonymous with poverty, violence, out-of-wedlock childbirth, welfare dependency, and a myriad of other social ills in the minds of most Americans. Although most have now been demolished, these towering high-rises became looming monuments to this epic policy failure—gargantuan symbols of the demoralizing and debilitating conditions that were forced upon society’s poorest and most vulnerable members.

Since at least the National Housing Act of 1937, the standard metric for housing affordability has been 30 percent of gross household income. But for residents working low wage jobs or relying on modest fixed incomes from public benefit programs, paying for accommodation can take more than 80 percent of their incomes (Zippel 2016). This inability to afford and/or overextension of funds to sustain housing costs puts families at high risk for factors of housing instability, such as eviction, frequent moves, living in crowded or substandard conditions, and homelessness. Sudden forced displacement often initiates a downward spiral for families, as belongings are lost, jobs are forgone, and children’s educational attainment is interrupted. Moreover, this excessive devotion of funds to housing disables families from procuring other necessities such as food, transportation, health care, and child care. An estimated one in every five children in DC faces such