Home ownership in the UNited states has always been a symbol of relative wealth. Home ownership means you can live comfortably. This, however, is on the decline. Since the housing crisis in 2008, home ownership in the US has declined. Some People blame the government for the housing crisis which displaced so many Americans. The evidence, however, points towards greedy companies loaning to anyone who would take a loan. In a way the government could be considered responsible for not putting correct regulations in place to prevent such an occurrence. Though this is the solution many people might think of, there is another.
Some countries have some form of social housing. The most successful of which would probably be considered Austria. Austria has a program that promotes government owned affordable housing for its citizens. About 3 in 5 citizens live in these public housing projects. iWhen I say government owned affordable housing, I’m a little worried you might think of a large, dull concrete building that’s been beat up by the forces of nature and has fallen into disrepair. In Austria, however, these housing complexes are far higher quality than you might think. In fact, it almost looks like something you’d find in a super strict country like Singapore.
These massive structures in Alt-Erlaa are surrounded by beautiful parks, they each have their own swimming pools, their own saunas, their own community gardens, tennis courts and even more that you would expect to find at a 5 star hotel. Here in America, you want to escape the projects, but It seems that in Vienna, the projects are the place to be.
How much does this housing cost? Whatever you’re thinking is probably too high because it costs about $300 a month to live there plus utilities. That's less than 10% of the average income in Vienna. Even better is that this program can support itself. Since the housing is government owned, the funds for maintaining such a program goes straight back to the people in the form of the housing.
I could only dream of a US where even life in the projects is almost luxury in nature. Sadly, I don’t think that we will ever hop on the progressing bandwagon of simply helping our citizens.
Do you think public housing is a good Idea?
Would you live in one of these housing projects?
Replies
Great topic choice and well written summary Daniel! The issue is that it was posted over a week late.
I think public housing would be very beneficial for the almost a million homeless people in just this country. Because homelessness is definetely a problem in the United States. Personally I wouldn't live in one of these I would rather pick where I want to live.
I think having some public housing would be extremely beneficial for the huge amounts of people living on the streets and the problem of homelessness that big cities in America face. I don't see it becoming a common thing though from public officials.
as my entire post migh indicate, I agree with your thoughts. I believe advanced public housing like it is in austra would be a boon to our economy. It would definitely help bring people out of the streets and into the projects (which would be improved by virtue of improving things)
I think public housing is a good idea because it will get people off the streets. Personally, I would not live in one of these housing projects if I had the choice because I would like to be able to pick and choose where I live and what I live in and what I do to my home and not have to worry about anyone else. It would also make me feel good owning my own house that I pay for.
I agree. Getting people off of the streets would be an amazing accompolishment for us. It's something that very few countries are making a large effort to do, and I think it would be amazing if we actually led the world in something beyond a powerful military for once.