Ways of Making Housing Affordable: a Maxwell Drever Account

The COVID-19 pandemic and recurrent lockdowns have highlighted inequalities in the housing sector. While some individuals get a comfortable life, others struggle to get a simple shelter. If you look at the Internet, you will see examples of these all across. Bad housing quality has become a struggling problem for the workforce population. It exposes them to health risks and other related conditions. Overcrowded living conditions, high-density environment, and lack of basic communities are some of the pressing problems faced by the workforce.

Along with this, the economic fallout of the pandemic is increasing at an unimaginable rate. Nearly half of the renters do not have the resources to pay for their rents and other expenses. In such a situation, the affordable housing unit is the only solution possible. 

Role of the community

The rising prices of houses, stagnant wages of the workforce population, and other related factors are well-established. The medium-income group spends more than 30 to 40% of their income on paying rent. Hence, they get overburdened by the cost. These vulnerable sections of society have now come on the verge of homelessness. At least 3 million individuals have experienced homelessness in their lifetime, states Maxwell Drever. The problem gets worsened because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Hence, community members have come forward to help this section of society. Various governmental policies and programs get initiated to make affordable housing a reality. Social housing and housing benefits have become housing support for low-income families. Rent control is uniformly applied all across the globe to ensure some uniformity. 

Along with this, numerous measures get introduced to support homeowners and hotel owners. These include tax relief, mortgage support, and subsidies. However, there are a few dangers attributed to the process. What is required is a proactive role of the public and private sector to facilitate the process of housing unit construction. Tax relief is not only helping the low-income group but also the restricted section of society. In this tight housing market, housing allowance has captured immense popularity. 

Investment in social and affordable housing

Public investment in this sector has increased ever since the problem cropped up. People have understood the significance of social housing and affordable housing. The pandemic has provided people with a renewed understanding of this crucial issue, reveals Maxwell Drever. Public authorities and government authorities all across the globe are now taking initiatives to boost the construction of affordable and social housing programs. 

Public support

The community's active role is critical for making affordable housing units a reality. If you look at the global sector, you will understand that the private market plays a vital role. Measures get introduced to govern landlord-tenant relations and rent stabilization. Governments are also providing relief to the struggling rentals to ease their suffering. There is no means of getting away from the fact that the household is crucial. 

Housing vulnerability has increased, and the pandemic has worsened the situation. However, the crisis can get limited by proper planning by governmental authorities and the private sector.