What's Happening?
Todd Swanstrom, E. Desmond Lee Endowed Professor of Community Collaboration and Public Policy Administration at the University of Missouri–St. Louis, has co-edited a new book titled 'The Other Housing Crisis: Ending the Deterioration and Loss of Affordable
Homes.' The book argues that the national conversation on housing affordability largely overlooks the critical issue of housing quality and deterioration. Swanstrom's research, initiated about six years ago, revealed a significant lack of data on housing deterioration at the city and neighborhood levels. His work, including a study of older homeowners in St. Louis, found that the average older homeowner in the city faces over $13,000 in needed repairs, totaling more than $300 million. This deterioration not only impacts property values but also poses serious health and safety risks to residents, such as mold, asthma, and heatstroke due to inadequate cooling.
Why It's Important?
This book sheds light on a critical, often overlooked aspect of the U.S. housing crisis: the deterioration and loss of existing affordable homes. While much attention is given to building new affordable housing, the neglect of the current housing stock exacerbates the problem, particularly for low-income households and older adults who often rely on older, less expensive homes. The lack of funding for home repair programs, with community development block grants significantly reduced over the past decades, means that many residents are living in unsafe and unhealthy conditions. This issue has profound societal implications, affecting public health, economic stability, and the overall quality of life in communities. The book's focus on the interconnectedness of housing affordability and quality challenges the prevailing narrative and calls for a more holistic approach to housing policy.
What's Next?
Swanstrom and his colleagues aim to bring greater attention to the issue of housing deterioration and the need for increased investment in home repair programs. The book serves as a foundational text, compiling research and proposals from various scholars to address this 'other housing crisis.' Future steps will likely involve advocating for policy changes that prioritize funding for home repair, potentially through the revitalization of programs like the community development block grant or the creation of new initiatives. The research also suggests a need for better data collection on housing quality at local levels to inform targeted interventions. Additionally, the findings highlight the importance of supporting homeowners, especially older adults and those with low incomes, in accessing resources and services for essential home maintenance and repairs to prevent further deterioration and ensure safe living conditions.
Beyond the Headlines
The 'other housing crisis' reveals a deeper systemic issue beyond simply the cost of housing: the devaluation of existing infrastructure and the human cost of neglect. The book's findings suggest that the problem is not confined to older cities but may also affect newer constructions due to shoddy building practices and inadequate maintenance. This raises ethical questions about developer accountability and the long-term sustainability of housing developments. Furthermore, the personal anecdotes shared by Swanstrom, such as residents being forced to choose between prescription drugs and home repairs, underscore the profound social inequalities exacerbated by housing deterioration. Addressing this crisis requires not only financial investment but also a shift in perspective to recognize housing quality as a fundamental human right and a critical component of community well-being, moving beyond a sole focus on new construction to include preservation and maintenance.
