Affordable Housing After 2020 and Beyond by Shannon Bohrer

The pandemic has exposed some critical problems and issues in our society, many of which we already knew existed, but some were not sufficiently being addressed. As the pandemic ends, and we hope it does, the problems exposed are predicted to be greater than before. If anything, the pandemic put a frame around the problems, exposing how widespread the issues were and how they will grow. Affordable housing is one of those issues, a large one. In our society, those in the lower ends of economic security were harmed the most and will be the last to recover. I say the last to recover, but many will not recover unless some changes occur.

As the pandemic slowed, property values have increased. The primary reason for the growth is insufficient housing to meet market demands. As properties rise in value, the owners and landlords seek higher asking prices and higher rents. While the economic pressure affects everyone, the hardest affected are families at the lower ends of financial incomes.

“Once the pandemic abates, millions of American women could lose their homes.” Reported by Bryce Covert in the New Republic.

Currently, thirty-seven million Americans live in homes, with an economic crisis facing them because they cannot afford the cost of homeownership. When it takes two or more wage earners to pay the bills, and one or two lose their jobs, the bills do not go away; they grow.

The demand for housing is also growing as the various rent moratoriums expire. The number of families looking for housing adds more pressure on the market. When we examine people, who live below the poverty line, one in four renters spends over 70 percent of their income just on housing. Housing for this group is not sustainable without some changes.

When we examine problems like affordable housing, we should understand that the lack of affordable housing is a problem that affects everyone. Schools, public safety, hospitals, social programs, and even transportation issues are all affected. Low-wage earners need to reside, where they have access to transportation for work.

To address the affordable housing problem, we need to examine the problem from multiple perspectives. Families experiencing housing insecurity often have numerous issues related to their housing needs. Multiple agencies exist, both government and private non-profit, with the goal of addressing the problems. When these agencies cooperate and work in unison, problems can be addressed more efficiently. There are many problems that contribute to the lack of affordable housing, and there are no easy answers.

As James Baldwin said, “Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.”

Shannon Bohrer has served as Board Chair of Housing Frederick since 2019. After his career with the Maryland State Police, he taught at the FBI Academy and conducted research with the Behavioral Science Unit. He currently consults with the National Gallery of Art. He and his wife Sue live in Emmitsburg, MD.