HUD
Cuts Could Affect Public Housing Residents
January 24, 2003
Public housing authorities are being hard hit by strains on state
budgets. Now, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
is warning local governments that less funding is in the pipeline
to local housing authorities. But just how much less, and how
it will affect public housing residents in Northeast Ohio, is
unclear. ideastream's Janet Babin reports.
The
New Life Community
March 4, 2003
In her State of the City Address, Cleveland Mayor Jane Campbell
promised to build 1,500 new housing units. But affordable housing
options in Northeast Ohio continue to dwindle. Advocates say Cleveland
has lost 1,000 units of affordable housing over the last three
years, and up to 4,000 are on Cuyahoga County Metropolitan Housing
Authority waiting lists for subsidized housing. Even scarcer are
programs that prepare families for the rigors of finding and being
able to pay for a home. One program that teaches women with children
to find a job and a place to live, is New Life Community in Cleveland.
The program transforms homeless and jobless women with children
into self-sufficient, productive members of society. ideastream's
Janet Babin reports.
Affordable
Housing Series Kick-Off
May
8, 2003
At last count, some 45,000 Northeast Ohioans
needed assistance finding affordable housing, but many of them
didn't get it. Over the next few months, ideastream will be examining
the issues surrounding this critical need. The list of those seeking
either rental or permanent supportive housing ranges from abused
women and children to the mentally ill, and, of course, the poor.
This morning, ideastream's Janet Babin outlines
the series for us, which will culminate with a one hour, interactive
special on WVIZ/PBS.
Tranforming
Dire to Desirable
May 22, 2003
Thousands of people in Cuyahoga County are desperate to get into
subsidized rental apartments, and remain on waiting lists. Despite
the great need, many of the available units are run down, unkempt,
even dangerous. While tenants are making great strides at improving
subsidized housing, ideastream's Janet Babin
reports that a commitment from a private owner can transform a
site into a desirable place to live.
Finding
More Room For the Long-Term Homeless
June 5, 2003
It's estimated that 3,800 people in Northeast Ohio have been homeless
for at least one year. Housing advocates say if the long-term
homeless could find places to live, there would be more room in
emergency shelters, and the formerly homeless would find it easier
to again contribute to society. Housing advocates and the City
of Cleveland have been looking for a place to locate permanent
supportive housing facility, but have met with stiff opposition
from businesses and community groups. ideastream's
Janet Babin reports.
Affordable
Housing Call-in Show
June 19, 2003
Each
night dozens of long-term homeless people end up sleeping in makeshift
overflow facilities. But by July 1st, they won’t even be
able to find such minimal shelter. Beginning next month, Cuyahoga
County will no longer fund any overflow populations from the men’s
and women’s emergency shelter. Our guests will discuss various
options to county-funded overflow programs, including permanent
supportive, supportive or pay-to-stay housing. ideastream's
Janet Babin hosts.
What
Type of Housing is Needed?
June 23, 2003
Several thousand people in Northeast Ohio have been homeless for
more than a year. It's a clear indication that the region has
a real need for more affordable housing. But there is debate among
advocates about what type of housing is needed most. Some providers
say a housing model that assists the long-term homeless with life
skills is most important, while others believe the homeless would
benefit most from a place where they can pay to stay. ideastream's
Janet Babin continues our examination of affordable housing issues.
County
Recorder Fees Doubling
July 31, 2003
If you're refinancing or purchasing a home, today would be the
best day possible to sign the papers. That's because, beginning
tomorrow, all county recorder's fees will double. From here out,
a portion of those fees will flow into the Ohio Housing Trust
Fund. ideastream's Janet Babin continues our
focus on affordable housing issues with this report.
Hidden
Lives
August 14, 2003
In any city, including Cleveland, many things go unseen. We don't
know what goes on in the apartments we pass on the way to work,
or what's really happening down by the railroad tracks or underneath
a bridge. As part of our series on affordable housing, ideastream's
Janet Babin uncovers two lives that otherwise might have remained
hidden. She has this profile.
Bridging
the Gap
September 11, 2003
A study released this week found that it's harder than ever for
low-income families to afford a place to live. According to data
from the National Low Income Housing Coalition, an employee earning
minimum wage has to work 92 hours per week in order to afford
a basic two-bedroom apartment in Cuyahoga County. As we continue
our Focus on Affordable Housing, ideastream's
Janet Babin reports one organization on Cleveland's West Side
is helping to bridge the increasing gap between low-income residents
and places to call home.
Support
for ideastream's coverage of Affordable Housing issues is provided
by the Sisters of Charity Foundation.
