Myths & Reality About Workforce Housing
Myth
All people who live in affordable housing are on welfare and won’t fit into my neighborhood.
Reality
“Affordable” simply means that housing shouldn’t be more than 30% of a family’s income. Wages have not kept up with the rapid increase in housing costs; therefore, many people are forced out of the market because they simply cannot afford to live here.
Myth
“Workforce Housing” means large and uninviting projects.
Reality
This may have been the case 25 years ago but present day workforce housing is based on good design with minimal impact. Smaller, mixed-income developments can be dispersed throughout communities making the land use much more efficient and attractive.
Myth
Workforce housing is undesirable - it’s subsidized housing for the poor.
Reality
Rising home costs mean that people with solidly middle-class incomes, may have a hard time affording the monthly costs of a home.
Myth
Workforce housing is cheaply designed/built and will reduce property values.
Reality
Workforce housing is designed to fit into its surroundings and shouldn’t have any negative effect on property values.