Abstract
This paper discusses affordable housing and what the involvement of the community and the black church should be on this issue. The writer looks at programs including Habitat for Humanity to define the ways that the community can become involved in providing affordable housing to its residents who are in need.

From the paper:

"There is an ongoing effort to attract African Americans to the affordable housing development industry. In Sacramento California an internship program was piloted that matched minority students to non-profit housing organizations. African American churches and communities could easily use this idea for their own memberships to encourage social understanding and involvement in the ongoing need for affordable housing (Ware, 1998). "

Tags:affordable, african, american, black, church, housing

Abstract
This paper explains that affordable housing poses a serious challenge to urban planners in Toronto. The author points out that, while a number of measures have been put in place to deal with the problem, the fact remains that thousands of people including families with young children are inadequately housed. The paper relates that, on any night in Toronto even the coldest, it is possible to find Toronto residents, from the youngest to the oldest, taking refuge from the elements in shelters.

Tags:affordable, housing, toronto

Abstract
The paper examines the current state of affordable housing in Saskatoon, Canada and looks at the challenge of devising a strategy to help alleviate the shortage. The paper first explores the nature of the housing need that can be defined in three terms; adequacy, suitability and affordability. The paper then looks at the types of initiatives that are currently underway and explains where affordable housing should ideally be located. Finally, the paper discusses ways for Saskatoon to provide incentives for the public and private sector to participate in the creation of affordable housing.

Outline:
Introduction
The Current State of Housing in Saskatoon
Typology
What Types of Initiatives are Currently Underway?
Where Should Affordable Housing be Located?
What Other Tools are Available?
Conclusion

From the Paper
"A critical component to both economic prosperity and quality of life in Canada is the need for an adequate supply of affordable housing. In Saskatoon there is evidence of increasing demand and a lingering supply of affordable places to live. This issue is not new; in fact there are several programs and initiatives that have been undertaken within Saskatoon to address the needs of low income wage earners, the elderly, people with disabilities, students, immigrants needing cultural supports, and the homeless. These circumstances should prompt policymakers towards a restructuring of the current affordable housing strategies employed by the city."

Tags:initiatives, location, adequacy, suitability, affordability

Abstract
The paper examines the reasons for the current crisis in the US of affordable housing and discusses available federal and local assistance programs. The paper explores how these programs relate to the Chicano, Mexican-American population. The paper examines racial discrimination in the housing market and looks at differences in characteristics of renters and home owners. The paper highlights how the discrimination and bias within the housing market and the lack of affordable housing is a severe problem for the Chicano population and maintains that the United States must provide equal opportunities for affordable housing.

Outline:
Introduction
Crisis of Affordable Housing in U.S. Cities
Major Federal Housing Programs and Policies
Local Government Affordable Housing Programs
Impact of Racism on Housing Accessibility
Incentives for Owners to Provide Low Income Assistance
Conclusion

From the Paper
"In the United States, there is a current crisis of housing for many different ethnic groups. Racial discrimination, homelessness, mental illness, substance abuse, poverty, and a lack of affordable housing makes obtaining a place of residence difficult for millions of Americans. Additionally, discrimination in banking procedures, real estate agencies, and housing prices makes home ownership a near impossibility. While both federal and local assistance is available, such programs often are difficult to obtain, and can be difficult to qualify for."

Tags:discrimination, racism, equality, federal, policies, homelessness

Abstract
This paper describes the "Obamacare" or the Patient Protection and Affordable Care act. The paper is broken down into specific sections, with detailed subsections, that highlight both the main outcomes of the act, as well as an analysis of what it will provide to the united states. Beginning with a look at the background of the act, the paper pushes forward into information on the act itself and explains the Act's implication to the American health care system. The paper concludes that only time will tell whether the passing of the act will provide a better system, but asserts that it must be tried.

Outline:
Background
General Issues and Implications of the Patient Protection and Affordable Act
Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPAC) specific implication to America's health care system
Preventive Component of Obama's health care policy
Conclusion

From the Paper
"In 2014, insurers will be prohibited from denying coverage or imposing previous conditions of higher premium to "high risk" applicants. The rationale for mandatory coverage is due to the fact that half of the total insurance expenditures are spent only on the 5% of the population while those who belong in the lower 50% only account 3% of the total insurance expenditures. As it currently stands, the majority of American population receives only a miniscule fraction of health care expenditure while half of its total health care expenditures were spent on a small privilege number of Americans. Clearly, there was an uneven and inequitable distribution of health care cost allocation which the law would like to address.
"The effect of the new law on the underwriter's bottom line meant that profits can be had by proper management of care rather than the avoidance of "sicker applicants". Obama's health care intends to rationalize and make the insurance coverage more responsive and efficient by modernizing it.
"The new Health Care Law aims to lower the country's health care expenditure by 1.5% by leveraging on the Federal government's capacity to negotiate for lower medical costs. The policy will promote prevention of diseases and strengthening public health."

Tags:obama, healthcare, economics, politics, obamacare

Abstract
This paper is an analysis of the Smart Growth Initiative and its affect on the population that is searching for affordable housing. The author details the initiative including its goals, target audience, environmental concerns and successes and failures. The paper also includes the discussion of economic, social and environmental costs of current development patterns and how smart growth provides alternatives to current development patterns, in addition to investigating what it means for affordable housing quality and supply. Land use and planning strategies are also discussed in detail. The author also presents and analyzes a case study of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU's) in Cary, North Carolina as a means for the reader to see an actual example of how smart growth can affect affordable housing.

From the Paper
"Current development patterns were driven mainly by public policy. The development patterns are characterized by a separation of uses, dependency on automobiles and the consumption of space in suburban and ex-urban areas. This pattern is supported by strict zoning regulations, transportation systems and a lack of coordination in planning. This is important, because these factors are also obstacles to making changes.
The booming economy of the 1990's has seen housing and rental costs increase at more than twice the rate of inflation. This has meant that many low-income owners are now unable to find affordable housing. Low-income earners are forced into substandard housing, forced to live in areas where affordable housing is available but at the expense of good security or good schooling, or forced to be homeless."

Tags:income, low, development, sector, economy, communities, environment, survey, patterns, costs, commuting, negative, traditional, transport, systems, adu, cary, residents, units, neighborhood

Abstract
The paper discusses how the lack of affordable housing in the United States is a severe and growing crisis with no solution in sight. The paper determines the legal bounds of the zoning power given to governments and municipalities and provides an explanation of the law behind exclusionary and inclusionary practices. The paper examines the legal issues raised by these zoning ordinances. The paper also discusses the state of the current law as it applies to affordable housing and concludes with a discussion regarding the social and economic impacts raised by exclusionary and inclusionary zoning.

Outline:
Introduction
History of "Affordable Housing"
Background of Zoning Laws and Zoning Power
Exclusionary Housing
Inclusionary Housing
Legal Issues Raised by Zoning
Economic and Social Implications of Exclusionary and Inclusionary Housing
Conclusion

From the Paper
"In the past few decades, the lack of affordable housing in the United States has emerged as a crisis effecting low-income residents, government agencies and municipalities, and real estate developers alike. The lack of available affordable housing has increased in the past few years, as a result of zoning ordinances and governmental zoning powers that are supported and upheld by the courts. While there are no immediate solutions to this problem, a number of legal scholars have examined the relevant cases and have written extensively on the subject."

Tags:law, ordinances, crowding, mortgage, municipality

Abstract
This paper examines the issue of the dramatic increase in housing prices in Orange County and throughout the state and local residents' growing concerns about their ability to continue to afford to live and work in Orange County. The paper first looks at the pros and cons to affordable housing development. It then presents potential solutions to the problem, corresponding costs and benefits along with recommendations.

Table of Contents:
Introduction
Problem Under Study: Affordable Housing
Overview of the Present Situation
Resources and Constraints
Alternative Courses of Action
Recommendations

From the Paper
"While all of these policies are tools that jurisdictions can utilize in order to improve their ability to motivate much-needed affordable housing development within their communities, when considered individually, each is only a partial solution to a complex problem. Prior to adopting any of these policy solutions, it is important for communities to consider their unique characteristics (i.e. political, economic, social conditions), for these should be taken into account when developing its policy/ordinance. Essentially, local jurisdictions require local solutions. Although this paper's emphasis has been on motivating the development of affordable housing, it is necessary to recognize that both market rate and affordable housing provide the community with benefits. Market rate housing benefits the community by supporting revitalization and lifting neighborhood property values, while affordable housing benefits the community by allowing for a diverse community (e.g. workforce, seniors). While the benefits of each clearly differ, each can be perceived as complementing the other. We would like to note, that in considering alternative solutions, we opted to de-emphasize the federally funded Section 8 program after reviewing budget analysis, which revealed that funding for this particular program has been consistently cut over the course of the past several years."

Tags:policy, costs, residents

Abstract
This paper offers a mixed, critical view of the Affordable Healthcare Act. The paper explains that the act is part of President Barack Obama's health care agenda that is being rolled out in phases, with two new phases being unveiled this year. The paper opines that the act is a divisive health program, as it muddles up the health insurance mandates more than ever before. The paper concludes that, despite some clear benefits of the act, having the personal freedom to choose how to handle one's own health care would allow the patient the freedom to get the best possible medical care he can afford, with the assurance that his treatment will not be cut midstream because his insurance runs out or the insurance company refuses to cover it.

From the Paper
"Basically, I view mandated healthcare coverage as a way of monopolizing the healthcare industry. By telling people that they need health insurance or they cannot get medical care, the insurance companies and their network doctors dictate how people can avail of medical services, by how much, and for how long. Granted that the lifetime cap on medical coverage was removed by the Affordable Care Act, I find it hard to believe that the insurance companies and their legal think tanks will not find a way to get around that ruling. Health insurance companies are in this business for the money, not for the care of their clients."

Tags:insurance, Obamacare, Medicare, patient

Abstract
This paper uses both federal and state (Michigan) publications to show the holes in the affordable housing industry. It focuses on the lack of units available, who resides in the current units, and funding cuts for housing programs. The author offers realistic solutions to the problems outlined in the paper.

From the Paper
"Although there are many causes for the crisis in affordable housing, some are more prevalent sources than others. These causes have multiple solutions - some easier to fix than others, but seem to be ignored or disregarded completely by the government and general public. The three top contributing causes of homeless endangerment are housing cost burden, rent increase compared to funding cuts of affordable housing organizations, and higher-income populations utilizing affordable units."

Tags:funding, hud, mshda, policy, social, work