Multi-Generational Housing is a solution to foreclosures AND elderly homelessness

[SoCalDem]

Municipalities/counties/states could be buying up the empty Mc Mansions, and renting them out to "multis".

Real families are often scattered over multiple states, but there's no reason why mutual-benefit "families" could not be constituted.

This would obviously not work for the seriously infirmed, but there are many vigorous elderly who are barely making it, and there are probably at least as many families that are trapped in a big house they cannot afford to stay in OR to sell.

Most places have long waiting lists of people desperate for assisted housing, so why not match these people up.

Many newer developments have good infrastructure, new(er) schools, shopping & services already in place. If they are newer, they are also likely to not be in a great need of upkeep/repair.

Elderly people are often targets for criminals when they live alone in run-down areas of town, so why not create new families?

Obviously this would have to be a mutually agreed upon situation, but it just might solve a lot of community problems, and be cheaper in the long run too.

Kids get to stay in their own school district, older folks have a place they can call home, that is not totally up to them to keep up, and often these smaller kids do not even see their own grandparents all that much, so it could be an enriching opportunity for them too.

[Alameda]

1. ...I hate elder ghettos, and this is an option

Manhattan Plaza, in NYC, was a multi group housing for artists in theater (that could be actors, dancers, costumers, set designers and so forth), elderly and disabled. Anything that stigmatizes, like housing for poor people where everyone is "poor" stigmatizes and further hinders social integration and benefits that could be forthcoming via lack of the stigmatization.

[Freddie Stubbs]

2. Where does the money come from to pay for this?

Most local governments get the bulk of their revenue from property taxes. Property values have tanked, so counties and cities are now having to make drastic cuts in their budgets.

[SoCalDem]

3. It's built into the "rent" and no one is living "free"

Some of these 3K+ sq. ft. homes have PLENTY of room for at least 2 seniors and a family. If a family is in danger of losing their home, the rent from the elders might keep them in it, and paying taxes.

For the houses that are already abandoned, perhaps the banks could cooperate with the housing authorities..

an occupied home has the capability of generating property taxes..and empty/vandalized/stripped one will just blight the neighborhoods, depressing the OTHER homes in the area..

Even if this were to be done as a pilot program for say..5 years, it would give some breathing room for lots of people, and keep neighborhoods from declining

[xchrom]

4. it would certainly be an interesting thing to try.

and we need ideas like this put into action so we can see what works.

[SoCalDem]

5. Lots of older people miss their grandchildren dearly

and being around some young kids could be a good thing..Of course there would have to be screening for a good fit, and for safety for all, but I think it could work in enough cases that many would benefit.

If two Grannies moved in with a family and each paid $400, that extra $800 a month could keep that family in their home, and $400 a month would certainly be less than they are probably paying for a pretty shitty place..''and if it were voluntarily agreed upon, child care costs for the family could drop as well..

[jwirr]

6. I am living with my grandson in our own apartment. First time in years

I have had something other than a room in someones house. It works. One thing though is that often programs that would help you if you were living alone say no because you are living with a relative. For the sake of all homeless people our laws need to be adjusted to encourage shared housing instead of discourage it. I try to pay half of the rent and half of the costs. If i lived alone energy assistance would be available to me but I cannot get half a grant to help with my share. That is the kind of thing I am talking about. If he lived alone he could have looked for a one bedroom instead of a two bedroom and paid less for energy. Food stamps allows individual households if you cook separately and that is the only program I know of that is realistic. On the other hand if I moved to a section 8 housing which has high taxpayer involvement I would be eligible for a lot of help. It is much cheaper to help the families help the needy without making the families needy also.

[SoCalDem]

7. Yes, they could surely come up with a plan that would benefit

people like you. It would possibly make you solvent (and your grandson) and free up social services for people in worse condition. A little to you and your grandson would help, and your living arrangements would still cost less than living separately.

[jwirr]

8. I think it would even save money. When I once lived in a section 8

housing unit our subsidy was almost $600 a month.

[SoCalDem]

9. and it would free up housing they desperately need, if people buddy-up

I have a friend who is always on the precipice & I know that someday she will be living with us.. & that's fine with us.. She's trying to maintain her independence, but she's a job-loss away from being homeless, and nothing is secure anymore.