Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Report: Severe Housing Affordability Crisis for People with Disability


From the NRCA/Capitol Insider-- Today the Technical Assistance Collaborative and the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities Housing Task Force issued Priced Out in 2008, a study which documents the severe housing affordability crisis facing over 4 million people with disabilities who rely on Supplemental Security Income (SSI) to live. The report compares monthly SSI payments to U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Fair Market Rents in all metropolitan statistical areas across the country. The national average rent for a one-bedroom unit was $749 per month (112.1% of monthly SSI payments) and the studio/efficiency unit rent was $663 per month (99.3% of monthly SSI income). The report can be accessed at:http://www.lifewithoutlimits.org/site/R?i=mFuoF6gYPBvbcrnV0LNxWQ..

30 comments:

Anonymous said...

I think that this is just terrible. The fact that it is almost impossible to afford a housing unit yet alone a one bedroom unit without feeling the side effects of the cost. As a student it is hard having to live alone paying for rent and going to school all at the same time. I can only imagine how it must feel having to depend on SSI income to help pay for the health necessities and at the same time worry about where one is going to live. I think that having the issue Priced Out is a good thing to have because it shows the truth of what goes on in the community dealing with housing in the disability community, and it also shows the whole community the problem people with disabilities deal with.

Joana J.

Anonymous said...

I didn’t like the fact that people with disability are the people which need more help are being sucked dry from their monthly (SSI) check. I don’t understand why they want to ripe them off in such way. I think they should make homes that are affordable and low cost for people with disability. If Oprah could make schools and homes for people in Africa why not start her in your own back yard. In my opinion the state should help our people before we go and try to help others. People with disability are more important than others and need the help more. If we don’t speak for them who will.

Krystal R.

Anonymous said...

This is absolutely disturbing to find that people with disabilities SSI moneys are being taken due to the affordable housing crisis. I know that this is a huge problem because my relatives with disabilities are complaining about this predicament. I cannot believe that this is happening, but I really do hope that we can find a solution to this conflict dealing with SSI. We should educate the community about how people with disabilities are dependent on the SSI moneys and other types of funding for their needs.
JudithW

Anonymous said...

I think it's horrible the fact that people with disabilities aren't able to afford housing. It's terrible the fact that the rent for a one-bedroom unit is greater then that of their SSI check. I don't believe ANYONE should be going through this much less someone with a disability. I do hope this crisis comes to an end and people with disabilities are able to afford housing.

Rosario G.-REHS 3311.01- B.Rivas

Anonymous said...

It amazing that housing is this much. I can understand how they can not live off of their SSI. As a student i can imagine what they feel like. i am taking 18 hours and work two part time jobs. at time that can be very stressful. Yet, this is what i have to do to pay bills and have spending money.
-shannon l

Anonymous said...

It is very heart breaking to think that the people that are being affected by this are people with disabilities who also have the lowest income. I hope this coming year, with the new administration more settled in, more attention is directed towards this crisis. If people with low income need governmental assistance, I think people with low income who also have a disability should be treated with more mindfulness. I agree with Krystal R. about giving more help here on our home turf instead of trying to help out in other countries first. We need to take care of each other.

-Mariel G.

Anonymous said...

i don't agree with you Krystal on this issue, because frist of all i think everyone is important and secondly people has right to do what every they wish, with their money, i still do believe that the government should make houing more affordable for people with disability, the income they are getting from SSI is too small and in this time that we we are in things are very difficult, are help they can get i thing will be helpful.
Anthonia. F

Anonymous said...

its not only people with disabilities who are experiencing financial and housing problems right now, but it is sad to hear that most of this people live on their disability checks and the amount is actually smaller than rent is. It is harder for PWD to get jobs people without disabilities at least have a greater chance of go out there and find a job to help with this struggle. Government definitely should do something about it.

Grace R.

Anonymous said...

This issue is terrible; I can’t believe that people who have a disability are not able to afford housing due to the fact that is it very expensive and that a one bedroom unity is worth more than their SSI check, which is what they rely on. Living off of your SSI must be horrible with all things being so expensive, I hope that this crisis comes to an end so that people with disabilities can be able to afford housing and live comfortably.
Daphne J.

Anonymous said...

I think this is a very sad issue. Every thing is so expensive know a days that it is hard to pay bills i can imagin that it is harder for people with disability. ROCIO D.

Anonymous said...

I think that this is something horrible to have to deal with. As it is not hard enough to pay the bills you have now, i couldn't imagine having to spend the money i get practically all on rent not being able to know how i will have money for the things one needs in everyday life. To this Priced Out that is going on, its good because not only us but to the people it has affected, they can now see what is going on with everything and have somewhat of a understanding its good that someone brought this up and hopefully there can be a solution soon.


Danielle C.

Anonymous said...

I think it is pertty awful that people with disabilities are barely able to affored living in an apartment. They don't even get enough from the checks to survive only a limited amount, they should make apartments specifically for people with disabilities.

Gerardo G.

Anonymous said...

I dont think its right that so much money is being taken out of people with disabilities that depend on their SSI income. I personally think paying $749 for a one bedroom is ridiculous. Those who are dependent on their SSI need to worry about other bills on top of that as well as personal spendings.

Sarah O.

Anonymous said...

Housing afording crisis is alwasy a serious social problem in every country. for the people with disability relying on Supplemental Security Income, they are really harder to afford the housing, even the simplest type. I guess the best ways to help them are: firstly, government could set up a lot of free occupational trainings for these people so that they can have some skills to rely on. Secondly, the government and community could try to creat more job oppotunities for people with disbilities. Thirdly, the government could build some non-profit apartments and rent out low for people with disabilities. Anyway, I do not think just simply increasing Supplemental Security Income will really change the hard situation.

Yuanyuan Li

Anonymous said...

this is a rip off to these people who receive ssi. they can't afford a house of this amount. their help is their social security income and it is unfair for them to because it is realy hard to look for a place to live in specially if it is expensive.
jacklyn g.

Anonymous said...

It doesn’t make any sense the way they have calculated the amount each individual is receiving and the amount they will owe for renting their own place. If most of their check will be going to rent they will not have very much left for their own personal needs to keep them healthy. I understand that the way the economy is right now there might be a few conflicts with the housing developments but they should still make it to it could be affordable for individuals who live off of SSI income.

Anonymous said...

It doesn’t make any sense the way they have calculated the amount each individual is receiving and the amount they will owe for renting their own place. If most of their check will be going to rent they will not have very much left for their own personal needs to keep them healthy. I understand that the way the economy is right now there might be a few conflicts with the housing developments but they should still make it to it could be affordable for individuals who live off of SSI income.

Crystal S.

Russen Vela said...

This is not cool. This is downright terrible. It is impossible to afford a housing yet alone with one bedroom without feeling the harsh side effects of the cost. People who have a disability should not be taken advantage of, thus by taking their money and sucking them dry.
I cannot believe that this is happening, but I really do hope that we can find a solution to this conflict dealing with SSI.

Anonymous said...

These are hard times for everyone! It it hard for families, single people, and couples to afford housing and still have money left over for meals and other necessities. I know my grandmother makes 567 a month on SSI. If she did not already have a house she would lose her indendence. I can only imagine how difficult it is for people with and without disabilities on SSI to pay for housing. Our country needs to quit shelling out so much money for other unappreciative countries and take care of their own. Other countries are begginning to expect that we will be giving them money. While our country is in turmoil I think it needs to stay here.

Celena M.

Anonymous said...

This is outrageous. What are the people supposed to do? They cant work because they aren’t capable of doing it. Where are they supposed to get the rest of the money for rent and yet that just rent what about food, clothing, medical needs that Medicaid or Medicare doesn’t pay for, light, water, gas, all the needs they need. They should do more housing for people with disabilities to fit their needs and accommodations. This will take time and money but there is a priority in the nation.
Evelyn A.

Anonymous said...

I feel it is such a horrible position to be burdened with many bills on top of being faced with a disability. As it is, it is hard enough to face with many struggles we overcome in life, but it is impossible to afford housing with all the price issues faced with today on top of paying for health insurace and other necessities. I feel that this is a cry out for help and we need to speak up help out those that need to be heard, and make a difference.
Audrey G.

Anonymous said...

This is a sad issue. The government should try to help out people who recieve SSi in obtaining housing that they can afford, so the peeople do not have to worry about how they will get by for that month. Our economy is bad and the government has not have done much to alleviate this probelm, and people with semi-stable jobs are barely affording to get by, and now they want for people who rely on SSI to get by? This is ridiculous. More help should be available.

Diana O.

Anonymous said...

This is depressing because its like the government just wants to turn on those who need help the most. A lot of people depend on SSI income to help pay for the necessities they need. To take it away is like taking away someone's life who might now be living in the streets instead of at their own home. It is not fair and its just something that is sad to know.

^Cristopher A.^

Anonymous said...

It's horrible to hear that people with disabilites are having trouble with housing. It's hard enough for them since they have to pay much more than just house rent, they also have to pay medical fees as well. They should provide house that are affortable to the people with disabilites.
Vanessa G.

Anonymous said...

I think it is horrible that people with disabilities have to face through ths housing crisis the government should definately provide more help and support for people with a disability.

Jeannette O

Anonymous said...

that sucks. People with disabilities i am sure have to make changes to their homes to have better activities of daily living. It is not good that apart from that, these houses are so expensive! This crisis in not good.
Andrea H.

Anonymous said...

People with disabilities have alot of medical costs, plus accesability costs and much more, now, having to also worry about the high costs of housing must be mortifying. I think that housing should be more affordable to them.
Janet S.

Anonymous said...

Those prices are outrages. Its so outrages that nobody can afford an apt that high if you are on a regular salary.
Leah M

Anonymous said...

Wow!! It's hard for people with disabilities to get jobs as it is and people expect them to come up with almost a thousand dollars for rent and bills. That is so crazy. This is another reason why it is hard for people with disabilities to claim their independence.
Vanessa M

Anonymous said...

I can’t imagine the real situation of PWD depending on SSI to cover their basic needs. I heard that to have a financial balance people should spend 30% or less in housing. This article shows that the monthly rent paid by some PWD (4 million) represents 112% of the monthly SSI. That’s for one bedroom unit. And what if the individual with disability has a family?

Irma Corbi