Low Income Housing Authority - Essay Example

Abstract Low income housing is one of the recurrent topics of debate among the state and county officials. However, people who have never tested this government service may not understand well who is and what is eligible, how it operates, who resides there, are they all the same. These questions remain unanswered in people’s minds seeking for answers. “The national low income authority is fully dedicated to accomplishing socially fair public policy which assures the ordinary people from poor backgrounds and low incomes have decent and affordable homes (American Planning Association 2006)”1. The coalition empowers, organizes and advocate for decent homes for everybody for the health and safety of all the neighborhoods. Although it may be tricky to identify low income people, the Low income Housing Authority plans accordingly to reach the target groups. For instance, people paying more than 30% of the income on housing are categorized under low income groups and may have complications affording basic needs like food, clothing and medical care. “To maintain justice in meeting the demands of the low income people, there is need to put down concrete policies and plans to know who exactly qualifies and the criteria to use” (Doris Köhn 2011)2. Planning for low income housing Like any other management style, planning is an essential tool. To achieve the best results, managers should make concrete plans to sustain their businesses. Low income housing authority makes planning strategies to accommodate the demands of the low income people. The stakeholders submit their plans to the public housing director providing detailed information of how they intend to serve the locals. “Planning helps the management to improve their services” (National Conference of State Legislatures 2009)4. For instance, proper planning will ensure proper housing, equal allocation and provision of quality facilities. It helps the housing department to analyze the trends of housing and predict any challenge in future. Essentially, planning helps in creating affordable housing while safeguarding the already existing premises. Nevertheless, planning requires competent planners put in place. For instance, planning to safeguard the suppliers of cheap housing may aim at incremental processes of change that may result in reducing the availability of houses of a particular type. “Mechanisms aimed at protecting low cost stocks are to ensure that the planning tools contain the general objective so as to protect or retain the existing affordable housing sources” (Potter 2009)5. Introducing control measures to preserve specific types of housing stock which are at high risk. Ensuring that the already existing state controls are utilized accordingly. Safeguarding housing as affordable in eternity When the policy makers are involved in creating more affordable housing, more emphasis is given to the duration the affordable house will be retained and by whom. Essentially, “there is no sole technique of securing affordable housing. It depends on a number of issues like whether the property is for sale or rent, who owns the residential and whether there are government subsidies” (Modibo Coulibaly 2010)3 Relevance of planning to low income housing Ensure that there are affordable housing at any given time to the low income people Protect the low income from exploitation by the high income group Protect the sources of cheap and affordable housing Ensuring equality in allocation and time amenities. Qualification for low income housing It may not be easy to determine which criteria to follow to get the right people for low housing. In most occasions, people lie, especially the high income, to get shelter at low income housing. Nevertheless, with proper procedures followed, the selection is easy. i. Income limits Obviously, you require low income to get low income housing. Depending on the actual figures and the rates of the housing agencies, eligibility can be determined. “The low income housing authority makes standard units that categorize the low income people” (National Conference of State Legislatures 2009)4. For instance, Housing Urban Development (HUD) may categorize households to “Low income”, “Very low income” and “extremely low income”. Such levels will place families at their respective housing. ii. Documentation It is mandatory for people to prove their financial status by providing relevant documentation. To qualify for low housing, you should submit tax returns certificates, pay slips, etc. to the relevant authority. If you go to public housing offices, they will check your annual income statement and categorize you accordingly. iii. Other requirements Apart from documentation and providing income limits, there are other requirements needed. As a low income person, “you should provide family size, demographic and economic information. This is accompanied by interview to prove exactly your eligibility” (Doris Köhn 2011).2 In general, setting eligibility limits is very important low housing authority. It helps them to assist the low income people in fair play. Discrimination and corruption are reduced and management becomes easy. In summary, the requirements to qualify for low income housing are: Income limits Family background Documentation Meeting other requirements Process of low income housing “The project owner begins by submitting an application to the state authority, where the application will be considered competitively. The application includes approximates of the total expected cost of the whole project as well as a commitment to conform to set-aside conditions”4. Normally, the owner of the project will have to conform to the higher percentage of the low income usage than the minima, usually up to 100%. Low income tenants may be charged maximum rent of thirty percent of the highest eligible income. This is approximately 60% of the median income area adjusted the size of the household. The next step is the eligibility test where the applicants are scrutinized. Their documents and other supportive documents are verified and approved. This is closely followed by interviews and personal identification. “Allocation of the facility is the last step in the process. The qualified tenants are allocated housing basing on their qualifications” (Potter 2009).5 During this time, they sign a contract of agreements confirming their commitments to adhere to housing regulations and laws of the country. The process is very important because of the following: Smooth flow of information from one section to another Time is managed well All the parties are informed and involved at every step Reduces corruption and discrimination How low income housing locations are determined and designed More often than not, “perpetual premises and permanent assets require careful planning. Their installation are most permanent than personal and private holdings. When the government or the state corporations are deciding where to locate and design housing structures, there are a number of factors they put into considerations. First the area should be a state land without disputes” (American Planning Association 2006)1. The site should be easily accessible both on foot and by car. “The site should be located near feeder roads for easy mobility. On the other hand, the design for the structures are the same. In fact, all the state housing structures are semi-permanent, if not permanent” (National Conference of State Legislatures 2009)4. They have the same model with social amenities like playgrounds and field within their perimeter. Lastly, they are clustered together at any location. In summary, site selection and design is important for: Easy management Security Accountability Convenience Conclusion Having all said and done, low income housing authority has made great favor to the ordinary people. With the structures, planning and processes they have put in place, they deserve recognition. More often, the rights of the low income are violated because they have no power and authority to air their grievances. The state corporations are mandated to serve people and cater for their needs. In fact, they should adhere to their mandates and consider people equally. Equally, the low income people should appreciate what the state has offered by respecting the laws. Notes page Read More