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 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT EAH AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING
#1. What is affordable housing?
"Affordable housing" is commonly defined as housing that is sold or
rented at below-market rates for the area median income (AMI).
Prices are made affordable through government or private subsidy
and/or through local government policy. The term "workforce housing"
refers to affordable housing often in support of local employees–such
as teachers, police and fire personnel, and retail and service
employees–so that they can live in the communities where they work.
#2. Who lives in affordable housing?
You might be surprised! Affordable housing serves a wide-range of
populations including working families, seniors, and persons with
disabilities. Many people who need affordable housing already live and
work in your community.
The increasingly high housing costs continue to outpace the earning
levels of families and fixed income seniors. Since 1997, for example,
the median home price in the California Bay Area increased about 200
percent, and the number of Californians paying more than 80 percent of
their income towards rent has doubled in ten years.
(Statistics provided by Nonprofit Housing Association of Northern California and California Housing Consortium.)
#3. What does affordable housing look like?
Affordable housing built by EAH Housing is of high quality
construction with attractive design that reflects the distinctive
personality of the local community.
EAH is dedicated to building communities that enhance the
surrounding neighborhoods. The organization has received multiple
national awards from the United States Department of Housing and Urban
Development (HUD) for property management, eleven design awards and
numerous commendations from legislators on the federal, state and local
levels.
#4. I’m concerned about traffic. Will high density and affordable housing make a positive difference?
Yes, in fact people who live in high density and affordable housing own fewer cars and drive less.
With lower car ownership rates, affordable housing residents have
fewer auto trips and fewer single occupant automobile commutes.
Further, high-density and affordable housing often encourage nearby
retail development, along with ease of walking and transit use. This
mix of housing with commercial development is crucial for traffic
control, since non-work trips constitute the largest number of trips.
(Source: California Department of Housing & Community Development)
#5. Will affordable housing affect property values?
In many cases, affordable properties actually contribute to an
increase in neighboring property values because of their attractive
design and superior property management practices.
Extensive research in California and other states show the
relationship between affordable housing developments and neighboring
property values to be positive one or with no negative effect.
#6. I have heard that high-density housing is important. Is it more affordable?
Higher-density housing provides more units per acre, which lowers
the land cost per unit encouraging housing affordability. However, not
all high-density housing is affordable to low-income families.
Neighborhoods like San Francisco’s Nob Hill and high-rises in
downtown Honolulu are examples of upper-income areas where housing
densities are quite high. To ensure affordability, local governments
must intervene with programs and additional concessions for the
high-density units to be affordable. High-density housing can be a
success when it is transit-oriented, preserves the neighborhood, and
includes retail and other mixed-use features.
#7. Will affordable housing affect the crime rates in my neighborhood?
Well-managed properties create a sense of community and a
neighborhood watch environment. Not one study has shown a relationship
between affordable housing and violent crime rates.
EAH’s property and on-site staff adhere to very high standards. We
employ stringent tenant screening practices and invest in good security
systems. If a resident is found to be involved in illegal activity,
eviction proceedings are strictly followed. In fact, in neighborhoods
where crime was prevalent, EAH was instrumental in reducing the
incidence of crime in the community. With the help of local law
enforcement, EAH was able to decrease drug-related activities, and
general criminal incidences in the neighborhood.
#8. Where does EAH build and manage affordable housing communities?
EAH properties are located throughout California and Hawaii.
These communities range from rural, low-density complexes in
California, to the 32-story Kukui Tower in Honolulu. They include homes
for seniors, large and small families, persons with disabilities,
student housing and affordable home ownership.
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