This space is currently rented on a site-based HUD contract lease @ $685.00 monthly, of which the tenant pays $113.00. The tenant is responsible for Gas & Electric (currently BB @ $233.00); Water and Sanitation included in rent.
So why don't I just move?
I can walk to Kroger, catch a bus a block away, it's Downtown in a "Historic Neighborhood", the neighbors are tolerable, and it makes more sense to make a purse than look for a prettier pig... I find it perplexing when I read about city and community leaders negative comments and disdain for "residential rental property". On one hand, there seems to be too much in certain neighborhoods and the solution is to turn poor tenants into struggling owners. On the other hand, luxury apts, lofts, artists studios, etc are seen as a key to the Covington Renaissance and attracting the "Right" kind of renters to populate the Downtown Core.In either case, it seems to me that the real key is to lower turn-over by improving quality of life.
My Rental Dilemma
Single male, 56, AIDS Survivor, SSDI of $861.00/mo, relies on public transportation, desires to be within walking distance of laundry, major grocery, etc.. I have reached the end of my Journey with just my Social Security, Medicare and Uncle Sam. I have no need or desire to own any property and will be a renter for as long as I have left.
FAIR MARKET RENTS
*Amounts determined annually by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
For Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN including Boone, Campbell, Kenton Bracken, Gallatin & Pendleton counties
Rents generally vary according to location, quality of unit and amenities to name a few factors.
0 Bdrm - $490.00
1 Bdrm - $581.00
2 Bdrm - $752.00
3 Bdrm - $1007.00
So here's the deal: As you may know, Housing -especially rentals, is a contentious issue here in The COV. City Leaders push for more "Market Rate" housing and have led citizens to believe that there is a difference between that and "Low-Income or Affordable" housing. I've asked for the definition of "Market Rate" and the answer most often given or implied is that it's Housing not accessible, affordable or appropriate for The Poor!
How do you define "Market Rate Housing"?
I was under the impression that the HOPE VI Money to replace the Jacob Price project is what will be used to finance this new housing and it will be accessible and affordable to those families who are being displaced from Jacob Price. Seriously, I want to know what Covingtonians think is the difference and why!? These days, isn't all Housing sold or rented at the "Market Rate"; and the Market is a mess. The HUD FMR's are calculated by the local average and classified by # of Bedrooms only, there is no rating or classification by amenities, neighborhood or management practices. It seems that HUD has finally caught on that speculators and slumlords have been gouging them for an "FMR" that the "Market" wouldn't give them. The Market Rate based on age, conditions, neighborhood, etc for a 1 Bdrm apt may only come in at $395.00 & since there's no HQS inspections or motivation to improve Market Rate Rental Housing in Covington the only way to get more money is to rent it on a Section 8 voucher and charge HUD the FMR of $585.00. When the Pulse was flipped from condos to rentals starting at $650.00 for a 1 Bdrm, that affected our Market. My landlord has contracted with HUD for my 1 Bdrm at a rate of $685.00 and it's nowhere near the quality of the Pulse. So I step up to fight for better conditions and the landlord's reaction is to blame me because they hired an idiot to spray for bedbugs and he's failed at eradicating them 4 times since I reported the first one late in 2009, their paperwork has been out of wack since they bought the place in 2007 and I've paid what their statements have said but they made mistakes and I should now cough up an extra $462.00 to cover them, Ky Housing said I was not responsible and shouldn't pay anymore than the $113.00 on my contract which was just recertified , signed and effective on May 1st; I tried to pay that and it was refused and now he's just decided to get rid of this whistleblower... "The only thing required for Evil is that good folk do Nothing"
Following HUD guidelines, my apartment is due and scheduled for it's 5 year Re-Paint. As I'm aware that there are often Grants available for "Demonstration Projects", I'm thinking that this would be a perfect opportunity to show Covington what "Affordable Market Rate Housing" could be! Instead of just moving furniture and slapping a new coat of paint on; what if the lovely old woodwork and the layers of wall paint were stripped, it was updated with all the pre-wiring for the digital/internet age, was also equipped with the greenest-most efficient appliances, the attic was converted to "usable" rather than storage space, and more spacious living space created thru the use of built-ins like bookshelves!? In the past; I've tried to get a Harpo Hook-up or makeover from Oprah, but just couldn't get her attention. So now, I'm just gonna share the idea and see what happens...
"What would our community look like if it were a really healthy place to live?" The National Civic League (NCL) posed this question to neighbors in hundreds of communities across the country. This is how people everywhere responded:
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A clean and safe environment
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A diverse and vibrant economy
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A place that has good housing for all
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A place where people respect and support each other
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A place that promotes and celebrates its cultural and historical heritage
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A place where citizens and government share power
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A place that has affordable health care for all
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A place that has good schools
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A place that has and supports strong families
But we are moving away from this ideal. In the Gannet News "Mood of America" poll, 76 percent of citizens agreed, "there is less concern for others than there once was."
We must be careful not to over generalize, since some Northern Kentucky communities may not fit these trends fully, or even at all. There will always be crosscurrents and countertrends. A few communities may have high levels of interconnectedness and public participation, with few glaring social problems and plenty of resources. But these communities are the exceptions.
Is the solution financial? Solutions often cost money, so, of course, more public funding to address local problems would be helpful. Support these efforts, but realize that in the present economic and political climate, success will not come easily and will cost each of us more than money. We need to understand there are no short-term solutions. We need CommUNITY Leaders who will engage, listen and translate the words into compelling long-term actions. Leaders who can then garner the support of government, private sector, faith community, public sector organizations and residents for the action plans.
Residents, along with the people who work, worship or have roots in a community need to be seen as an alternative resource, as someone with something important to share.
The task is to identify these alternative resources, then to coalesce and organize them, to plan, develop, implement, and sustain multiple community wide solutions. This will not happen all by itself. The structure for organizing and mobilizing community resources is generally not in place. A big plus is that people, 63 percent in one poll, believe that people are willing to pitch in and fix what is wrong in their communities, if they knew how. Mechanisms for involvement are rare, but do exist. Let us identify these processes and bring them into our communities.
America is the great democratic example, but because we lead there is no blueprint. America's greatness has been due to our ability, on the national, state and local levels, to find common ground. To large extent, it is our ability to reach consensus through civil discourse that has contributed to our greatness. Today, in our communities, neighborhoods, media and even in our legislative bodies, far too often, a difference of opinion is painted as evil, making constructive dialogue impossible.
In doing this work, the Boston Foundation developed "Seven Guiding Principles for a New Social Contract."
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Incorporate those directly affected by policies at the heart of dialogue and community building.
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Value racial and cultural diversity at the foundation for wholeness.
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Promote active citizenship and political empowerment.
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Build on community strengths and assets.
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Ensure access to fundamental opportunities and remove obstacles to equal opportunities.
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Support and enhance the well being of children and their families.
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Foster sustained commitment, coordination, and collaboration based on a shared vision and mutual respect.
We hear congress can't get anything done, or that government can't get anything right. We are a democracy; the government is a reflection of ourselves.
The task ahead will be long and is not easy, so it is important we get started. In the words of Bobby Kennedy: "The future does not belong to those who are content with today, apathetic toward common problems and their fellow man alike, timid and fearful in the face of bold projects and new idieas. Rather, it will belong to those who can blend passion, reason and courage in a personal commitment to the ideals of American Society."
excerpted from the "White Paper on Poverty in Northern Kentucky"
