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From: "Jylene M. Livengood" <LIVENGOO@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
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Date: Tue, 31 Jan 1995 22:07:54 -0400
The current govt. figures for what public housing should run, modeled on the
prevailing percentage of rent for middle class is 30%. For many (myself in teh
past) it runs 40%. For many of those close to or below the poverty line, who
are unable to get public assistance due to overload on teh system, rents can
run as high as 70% of income. Since less than 4% of housing is public housing
a lot of people are shelter destitute. Further, speculation and suburban
housing with not provisions for commercial and town centers are destructive of
com-
munity and put additional expenses on families. Altogether the trade off of
a smaller but more affordable apartment, leaving more money for other needs, in
urban and town communities that offer variety, transportation and employment
looks like a fabulous deal compared to far flung suburban margin development
built chiefly to answer a need for cash by a developer. jml