Affordable Housing Network Newsletter: December 2022

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Spotlight

Bridging Communities: How a Detroit-based Organization is Dismantling Barriers to Homeownership [[link removed]]

Bridging Communities [[link removed]] is one of the leading housing, elder-care, and family-care organizations in Detroit, Michigan. Through trilingual housing and financial counseling services, community engagement, and partnerships, Bridging Communities strives to provide affordable and stable housing, financial security, and a strong community for those they serve.

Recently, Prosperity Now had the wonderful opportunity to interview former Director of Bridging Communities, Phyllis Edwards, a member of the Affordable Housing Network [[link removed]]Steering Committee. Ms. Edwards served as the Director for twelve years until recently transitioning out of that position and becoming a Project Development Consultant. Now, Ms. Edwards is focused on expanding and championing Bridging Communities’ housing services.

Read the Full Blog Post [[link removed]] Policy Updates

Washington, DC’s Black Homeownership Strike Force [[link removed]]

As a part of Mayor Muriel Bowser’s commitment to Black homeownership, Washington, DC established the Black Homeownership Strike Force [[link removed]], which aims to create 20,000 new Black homeowners by 2030. The Strike Force, staffed by the Deputy Mayor’s Office of Planning and Economic Development, was supported by experts at the Urban Institute and Howard University, as well as other experts from government, housing and financial counseling services, and lending and estate development organizations. It was also supported by advocates from faith-based, senior, immigrant, and LGBTQ+ communities to address social and racial inequities. They ultimately produced a 30-page report [[link removed]] on increasing Black homeownership in the District.

Resources and Publications

Racial Restrictive Covenants History: Enforcing Neighborhood Segregation in Seattle [[link removed]] | The Seattle Civil Rights and Labor History Project

This study from the University of Washington, reveals that use of “racial restrictive covenants” in the mapping of housing led to a persisting racial wealth gap. [[link removed]]

Six-Figure Income Now Required to Afford Median Home: Report [[link removed]] | National Review

According to the Redfin Corporation, “homebuyers must now earn at least $107,281 to be able to service a typical monthly mortgage payment in 2022. By comparison, Americans only required a $73,668 household income in 2021 to meet a similar threshold.”

Student Loan Debt and Access to Homeownership for Borrowers of Color [[link removed]] | Urban Institute

This comprehensive report illustrates how a lack of access to generational wealth for Black Americans is a “root cause” of a higher student debt burden and a significant barrier to homeownership.

Policing Doesn’t End Homelessness. Supportive Housing Does [[link removed]] | Urban Institute

By using a study of homelessness, policing, and housing in Denver, Colorado, this Urban Institute report emphasizes why treating homelessness as a criminal issue is not the right approach.

In the News

5 policies that must be changed to make homeownership more equitable [[link removed]] | Fast Company

To not repeat the history of the 2008 mortgage crisis, this article highlights five policies that could improve equity in homeownership, especially for those with limited financial resources.

Homeownership is Still a Key Part of the American Dream [[link removed]] | The Street

“While the goal of owning a home is still traditional, the path to purchasing one is no longer that.” However, that does not mean Americans should stop trying to achieve the prosperity and security that comes with homeownership.

Why housing discrimination is worse today than it was in the 1960s [[link removed]] | KING 5

Fake collection notices, misleading loans, unwarranted foreclosures of Black homes, and unfairly appraised Black homes are just some examples of how housing discrimination has led to expanding racial wealth and housing disparities.

COVID-19’s targeted federal aid led to more Black and Latino homeowners [[link removed]] | The Philadelphia Tribune

COVID-19 assistance programs like the CARES Act, increased unemployment assistance and suspended student loan payments led to increases in Black and Latino homeownership.

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