Allentown's new affordable housing project, announced with fanfare by State Representative Nick Miller, will be given over $16 Million of taxpayer dollars for 38 units. For what the taxpayers our spending, almost $421,000 a unit, we could buy each prospective tenant an ocean condo. Depending on who ends up living there, buying them an ocean condo in another state might improve the quality of life for those of us remaining here.
As you can tell, I don't think much of affordable housing. It is a solution to a problem which really doesn't exist. In the first place, if Allentown wasn't comparatively affordable, there would not be so many lower income people here. In the second place, if they are here and not seeking gainful employment, it would be better for Allentown if they collected their government check somewhere else. Between the Housing Authority, Section 8 vouchers and assorted landlords, the affordable obligation is met. Thirty eight more units, especially with most being one bedroom, won't put a dent in the heart of the bleeding liberals.
Those readers who think that this post lacks compassion might exercise their outrage by picking up litter in center city.
I must be getting old, and that's probably the reason I do not understand why all of these large apartment blocks are being built downtown.
ReplyDeletePerhaps because I no longer consider going out to eat, and going drinking a recreational sport. With prices being as they are today, people are living at the edge of affordability renting downtown. The apartment rents are not inexpensive. Also the price of eating out and partying will drain your wallet quickly. I suppose that's one reason restaurants and bars seem to come and go out of business frequently.
Allentown has always had apartments. They formerly were imbedded within the row homes. There were also apartment complexes, normally in the suburbs. What is being built downtown now is essentially white collar company housing for those in the cubes of the NIZ office buildings. I strongly suspect that single mothers with children that use HUD section eight vouchers are not the desired tenants.
Of course, there are little or no grocery stores or other personal service businesses nearby. Those are miles away in the west end or up on 7th street. Not within walking distance. So the expenses associated with a car are necessary.
Cubicle workers just aren't paid all that much.
Mike which corner is this on on 8th and walnut and is this part of rilly
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree more with this post. What a waste of taxpayers money. Imagine the thousands of "low income" residents lining up for 38 measly apartments in center city Allentown. Also, if you think the moderators post lacks compassion, you should gauge the public's reaction to constructing affordable apartments in East Penn, Parkland or Southern Lehigh. After all, why does Allentown have to bear even more of the region's burden of affordable housing???
ReplyDeleteanon@7:35: This is not government affordable housing, but a private developer, who is a protege of Reilly. Browne must have tipped them off about another well of public money. The project originally was going to be all one bedrooms, which isn't even the demographic most in need. It's a faker project in every aspect but our real tax dollars.
ReplyDeleteMM -
ReplyDeleteI guarantee you that Nick Miller or any of the other imbeciles voting for this project never took the 10 seconds needed to do the simple math you did to find out the cost was $421,000 per unit. I’m also willing to bet there is a slew of kickbacks (oops), I mean campaign contributions, that took place or will take place related to this project.
On another note, has anyone else noticed that the more government funds something the more expensive it gets for the rest of us? It doesn’t matter if it’s college tuition or housing, government makes things worse whenever it starts throwing money at a problem.
I agree with all comments on this issue. The government really knows how to throw a monkey wrench into the works!!!
ReplyDeleteAnother thing... if these are indeed rented to "low income" people, you can be sure they will be destroyed in short order. Low/no income people tend to be home all day since they have nothing to do and all day to do it, thus the dwelling takes an excess beating... they best figure that into their "get rich quick in real estate" playbook. Ask me how I know!!!