Fixing America's Growing Disability Housing Problem

Ian C. Langtree - Writer/Editor for Disabled World (DW)
Published: 2009/08/02 - Updated: 2024/06/17
Publication Type: Opinion Piece, Editorial
Category Topic: Blogs / Writings / Stories - Academic Publications

Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main

Synopsis: Proposed housing plan to aid poverty stricken disabled people in the United States. Do you notice all the people currently living on the streets all across America? Many of the homeless are disabled. In fact, there are over 56 million people on social security disability.

Introduction

There are multiple housing programs currently available such as FHA; however, none of these programs address the needs of the disabled. Try obtaining a conventional loan on an income of less than $8,000 a year. I propose a program that offers those on disability a low interest home loan with no money down and not based on credit history.

Main Content

Do you notice all the people currently living on the streets all across America? Many of the homeless are disabled. In fact, there are over 56 million people on social security disability. Unless you have just returned from Antarctica, it comes as a surprise to no one that the U.S. is in the midst of a real estate downturn. What do these two things have in common? I am glad you asked. I have a proposal that is a win-win-win scenario. In a slot machine, that is worth a lot of green.

The need for subsidized housing has never been greater with unemployment growing every month. The government cannot subsidize housing for everyone, so America needs another option. Something that helps the government stretch their dollars, helps the people in need become stabilized (perhaps for the first time in their lives) and helps the real estate market all at the same time. My plan does this and even offers a return on investment for the taxpayers.

There are multiple housing programs currently available such as FHA; however, none of these programs address the needs of the disabled. Try obtaining a conventional loan on an income of less than $8,000 a year.

I propose a program that offers those on disability a low interest home loan with no money down and not based on credit history. A loan that offers a conversion option to conventional or a different program should they become gainfully employed and is not forgiven upon death. Either the estate pays off the note or it returns to the government. For those who question if a program such as this is doomed due to clients that cannot afford to make payments, I say two things:

• First, participants are looking at monthly rates less than the cost of rent.
• Second, never underestimate the pride of home ownership, especially for one whom couldn't afford a home otherwise.

A stipulation could be that participants enroll in the government's Direct Express program and mortgage payments are automatically deducted. This proposal saves the government money over new subsidy programs as no money need be fronted - the government simply guarantees the loan.

• It houses people more economically offering them self-respect in the process.
• It answers the banking industries problem with foreclosed homes costing them profits in the form of HOA fees.

The return on investment?

Of course there is the obvious interest on the loans and taxes, but more importantly, this offers the disabled a success. Once they get a taste of success, they will want more, so this may be the single greatest act the government can do to encourage those who have been disheartened by constant failure to try. Try to improve themselves, try to work again, try to become productive citizens again. I can only speak for myself on this issue, but that is what I want as a disabled veteran, a chance.

Now I ask, what do you, the American public think?

I challenge each of you to voice your opinion to your legislators. Remember, disabled is the minority that anyone can join in the blink of an eye.

Related Information

• U.S. Housing Crisis Driven by Lack of Affordable Options, Not Overall Supply: Research findings suggest that addressing housing prices and low incomes are more urgently needed to address housing affordability issues than simply building more homes.
• US Disability Housing and Home Loans for Disabled Americans: List of home loan providers in the US states who lend money for home purchases and housing down payment loans to people with disabilities and low income earners.
• Disability Housing: Home Purchase, Rentals, Discrimination Information: Database of Disability Housing documents, papers, and peer reviewed publications (Disabled World).
• How Are People With Disabilities Doing in the New York City Housing Market?: Housing conditions for people with disabilities in New York State are deteriorating. The most common problem is lack of money.
• Future of the Disability Housing Market: People living with disabilities often face challenges trying to find affordable accessible housing.

Author Credentials: Ian is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Disabled World, a leading resource for news and information on disability issues. With a global perspective shaped by years of travel and lived experience, Ian is a committed proponent of the Social Model of Disability-a transformative framework developed by disabled activists in the 1970s that emphasizes dismantling societal barriers rather than focusing solely on individual impairments. His work reflects a deep commitment to disability rights, accessibility, and social inclusion. To learn more about Ian's background, expertise, and accomplishments, visit his full biography.