Abstract
The United Kingdom and the Netherlands have made commendable contributions to social housing over the past century. The successful collaboration of nonprofit builders has resulted in low-cost and efficient social housing in these countries. This paper shows that perhaps the most notable achievement is that housing at affordable prices is easily available to people who need it and, more importantly, at the time they need housing. Many other developed countries, including the Unites States, are struggling to provide acceptable levels of social housing and trying to copy the successful community housing models of European countries.

Paper Outline
Social Housing in Europe
Social Housing in Britain
Housing Associations in Britain
Social Housing in the Netherlands
Housing Associations in the Netherlands
Private Rented Housing
Conclusion

From the Paper
"In many European cities, low-cost housing is taken for granted; for instance in Tillburg in the Netherlands with a population of 165,000, a single association owns as much as 51 percent of the housing. Rentals charges by this association is only half or maximum two-thirds of market rates. Even in London, one of the high cost cities in the world, housing project developers are required to have 25 to 35 percent of the newly built units in the affordable category. (Johnson, Building a Better City: Europe's Affordable Housing Standard). A unique feature in these countries is the successful integration of "affordable" housing with "market-rate" housing in the same location, which means that people with high and low incomes live together and there is no social stigma attached to such practice."

Tags:Housing, Act, tenants, spatial, development

Abstract
This study examines the history and national trends of poverty rates for senior citizens and compares them to the statewide levels in Minnesota. Projections of the senior population and income levels are examined to see if they are increasing or decreasing. Poverty can be measured by any of the following: absolute, U.S. government (officially sanctioned level for means tested programs), and relative. This study examines official poverty levels of seniors in comparison to being able to purchase a median-priced home and the availability of the U. S. government's Section 8 subsidized housing programs.

Introduction
Research Question
Literature Review
Theoretical Framework
Results
Implications
Limitations
Recommendations
Conclusions
Bibliography/References
Appendix

From the Paper
"The history of the current Federal Government's Section 8 housing programs can be traced to the civil rights movements in the early 1960's. The 1968 Housing Act states that everyone no matter race, color, age or religion is entitled to equal housing. This section 8 program gives vouchers to each state in the USA and the Federal Government funds these. Minnesota uses these vouchers to subsidize rent for means tested participants. These rental units can be in multi-family apartments or in single-family stand-alone homes. Property owners that participate in this program agree to meet certain minimum housing standards in exchange for rent and incentives (low rate of interest on mortgage or lower taxes)."

Tags:housing, inequality, level, official, poverty, section, seniors

Abstract
Throughout the nation, America's poor are facing a serious housing shortage. Not only are there too few housing units available for those below the poverty line, the housing that is available is often out of the price range of those that need it. This paper presents a research proposal aimed at determining what can be done to help low income families have affordable and accessible housing. The writer presents the current issue, a literature review about the problem, a methodology section in which a research method is recommended, and a conclusion.

Outline:
Introduction
Background of Problem
Methodology
Questionnaire
Structured Interview
Population (Sampling)

From the Paper
"There are many factors that contribute to the problem according to experts, including lack of land, lack of funding and lack of public support, but in the meantime low income or poverty level families scramble to figure out where to go or how to live. The cost of not providing affordable, accessible housing to low income families impacts taxpayers across the county in the way of providing shelters, children not getting educations, children being taken into publicly funded foster care when parents can no longer provide for them and health costs for family members who are battling the elements without a place to live. "

Tags:shelters, family, rent

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
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 looks at the Wall Street Journal article "Housing Market Shows Further Signs of Cooling" which focuses on the beginning of the decline in the housing market. The paper discusses how the article explains that there has been a change in supply as well as demand, with substantial increases in the inventory of homes available for sale. The analysis in this paper uses economic theories of consumption and supply and demand to explain housing factors described in the news article.

From the Paper
"The article mentions that there has been a slow growth in personal income. Current income is the most relevant determinant of consumption including home purchases. Inflation reduces the real current income; thus, real consumption. The article states that the housing bubble pushed up housing prices, but new factors have also come into play such as higher oil prices and higher interest rates. Higher oil prices are serving as a tax on consumers, leaving them less money to spend on other goods such as housing."

Tags:inflation, income, revenue, supply, demand, consumption

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

Abstract
The paper examines affordable housing availability - provision, guidelines, regulations, funding and other relative factors - and the examination of the homeless population in terms of why they are homeless, what led to them being in the homeless condition, if their needs are being met and how. The paper investigates new initiatives that have been implemented to reach the large homeless population in the United States. The writer designs a study to explore these questions.

Outline:
Objective
Statement of Thesis
Statement of The Problem
History of The Problem and Literature Review
I. Affordable Housing Options
II. Causes of Homelessness
III. Demographics of The Homeless Population the The U.S.
IV. New York's Blueprint
V. Landmark Study
VI. Importance of the Provision of Assistance in Obtaining Housing
VII. Prevention
Methodology
Data Gathering and Data Analysis
Scope of the Survey/Questionnaire
Country Designation Guidelines
Approximate Costs of this Research Project
Consideration of Ethical Factors
Feasibility of the Research
Bibliography

From the Paper
"The findings of research in an Iowa study states that of those who are homeless in the State of Iowa 60% of those are children. While this is enough to suggest critical research needs, state as well are findings that in areas of the state that are rural, non-metropolitan areas, the group of homeless are comprised of larger percentages than in metropolitan areas homeless population. Obviously, this area of research has been overlooked by researchers in this field and that is the research with its' primary focus the homeless children of rural and non-metropolitan areas of the United States."

Tags:rural, legislation, chronic, illness, mental, health, debilitating

Abstract
This paper examines the dramatic shift in the U.S. housing market. The writer contends and explains why one's home is no longer viewed as an asset but rather an investment, which can be milked regularly for cash by way of second mortgages and home equity loans. The ease in the availability of money and its comparative cheapness has led to a inflation in real estate prices. This paper examines how the face of home ownership has changed and become a case of renting from lenders as opposed to direct and full fledged ownership. This well-researched paper details the process of home financing, which is handled by the Federal Home Loan Bank System, created by the government in 1932. This paper details the events the pushed the government to create both the Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac organizations. This paper explores the manner in which these two leading organizations, in the field of secondary residential mortgage markets, package and sell loans to home owners, much the same way as stocks and bonds are traded on Wall Street. The writer delves into the governmental policies devised to increase home ownership, most of which include using Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

From the Paper
"The weakness comes from the feeling that contingent mortgage obligations are second only to treasury bonds and at the same time are not totally supported by the US government. When the interest rates change, as it happened in 1990s with a dot com share which went beyond all reason, the markets suddenly rose and fell. Then the Federal government team had to cut interest rates very sharply back to get the market thinking logically again. Yet the drop in interest rates makes the investors feel that they have lost money, and at that time they had concentrated on homes and real estate. The government has not been able to control the imagination of the people, and the next dream has been on its way. This is reflected in the statement of Chairman Greenspan to Congress in the last two years to control Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac better."

Tags:finance, mortgage, bank, inflation, economy, fannie, mae, freddie, mac

Abstract
This paper provides evidence through studies and reports that mental illness shares a powerful relationship with homelessness. The mentally ill often suffer from symptoms that alienate them from supportive networks, thus leading them to homelessness. Bereft of stable living conditions, the mentally ill thus have an even more difficult time obtaining treatment to improve their condition. The paper shows that on the streets, these people are victimized by traumatic situations -- assaults by criminals and harassment by police. Concomitantly, social policies have contributed to the plight of many homeless people through de-institutionalization without providing support through community mental health services and the housing market. The paper shows that with the implementation of cost-effective and well-researched intervention, the relationship between homelessness and mental illness can be increasingly weakened.

From the Paper
"However, in O"Dwyer's study (1997), the schizophrenic participants in the study also had an unhealthy and unstable home life (p. 301). Many of the younger participants ran away from home due to conflict with their parents (p. 301). The older respondents, who were more than fifty years old, led an itinerant lifestyle because of their work situations. They never considered themselves to be homeless even though their lifestyle meant that they never formed close and supportive relationships. Therefore when their illness prevented them from working, they did not have any supportive networks to assist them (O"Dwyer, 1997, p. 303)."

Tags:schizophrenia, CTI, psychiatric, housing, Zoning