“We obviously … have to have more affordable housing,” Nikki Brennan, executive director of the Georgetown Housing Authority, said. “I think [the need is] pretty much all over Williamson County [WilCo]” ImpactNews tells MHProNews that WilCo has some 500 people on the public housing waiting list, and more than 600 waiting for the housing choice voucher program.

Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) is a federal grant distributed by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, or HUD. The county received $1.25 million in CDBG funding for projects for the 2014–15 fiscal year beginning Oct. 1, said Sally Bardwell, Williamson County community grants coordinator. Bardwell states that WilCo receives the same amount annually in CDBG funding.

No more than 30 percent of their household income defines “affordable housing,” which may be for rent or mortage/taxes/housing insurance, Brennen explained. Fair Market Rent (FMR) is established annually by HUD for an area, and in WilCo and Austin, the FMR for a 1 bedroom apartment is $853. That means a household must earn $1641 to afford an apartment at that rate.

“Our backbone of the community as far as retail workers, construction workers and even teachers are not making this kind of money,” Brennan said.

Photo credit, ManufacturedHomeLivingNews – Featured Home

The irony of this situation, which MHProNews readers and most industry members know, is that nearby there are quality, energy saving and appealing homes being produced by manufactured home builders. For a lower monthly cost than that area’s FMR 1 bedroom apartment, a 3 bedroom 2 bath manufactured home payment, taxes, insurance and site costs could all be paid. The Wilco scenario is playing out nationally, costing state, local and federal housing authorities more, and wasting the opportunity to create new jobs and better living standards for those who desire quality yet affordable homes. ##

(Photo credits: Architecture-About and ManufacturedHomeLivingNews.com)