DREAM HOUSES

September 2002
		Many residents of Burlington, Vermont who earn the median salary cannot afford to buy or rent a median-priced house or apartment -- and the disparity continues to grow with the housing market boom. What does this mean on a national level? Housing experts Wendell Cox and Susan Popkin answer your questions.

Forum introduction Why can't Section 8 funds contribute to down payments? Is there any racism involved? What has been the progress of any trends to revitalize older housing in and near cities? Would it be easier to build affordable housing in more outlying areas, such as beyond the suburbs? Pertinent statistics about substandard housing assessments done in Houston. Why is there such a disconnect between wages in a particular area and housing prices?     Online Special: How We Live

Michael Glickman of Westwood, MA asks: Is there any racism involved? Dr. Susan Popkin responds: Yes, discrimination against minorities -- and against low-income/subsidized renters, and households with children --are very serious problems. My research in Chicago has found that voucher holders frequently report encountering discrimination from landlords who say they refuse to take Section 8. Refusing to accept Section 8 can be a more "socially acceptable" way of discriminating against minorities or low-income households -- in many cities, it is also a way to discriminate against former public housing residents. Discrimination limits low-income households' housing options even further. They may be unable to find housing in communities that might offer them -- and their children --greater opportunity. Further, the fear of encountering discrimination may lead them to limit their housing search to low-income, racially-segregated communities. It is essential that we enforce the fair housing laws already on the books, and work to find more creative solutions.   Wendell Cox responds: Without looking into the hearts of individuals, it is difficult to determine the extent to which racism is a problem. Moreover, focusing on racism simply deters us from solving the problem, to which there is a ready solution. Excessive regulations provide potential "cover" for racism and other elitist motives to interfere with housing opportunity. If existing homeowners could not take action to deny housing to prospective residents through regulatory processes, there would be no legal mechanism for racism or other elitist motives, at least as regards development. The more we politicize the economy, the greater is the potential for "who you are" to determine "what you get." It is time to roll back the boundaries of the "back yard" to the fence.