You just told a wonderful story of overcoming multiple challenges (including residents who didn't want to give up "their" space!) to help people become homeowners. I sincerely hope that you are able to provide the template for others to follow. There's a special place in heaven for people like you. 😘
Thank you for providing a concise and detailed look at the process, and its changes and challenges.
Private organizations, such as religious groups and service-oriented associations, once were an integral part of the social safety net of many communities. I've seen claims that government welfare programs et al. pushed them out, but surely that's just part of the full picture. Increased costs, regulations, liability, and a decline in civic awareness and volunteering all play a role; and I'm sure I'm missing some thing.
I don't mean to sound like an old crone ... yet there is truth in the observation that many of mainstream American culture's problems would be meaningfully addressed if more people simply started caring more about their local community and its inhabitants, and acted accordingly.
What a great tribute to the work and dedication to make these homes a reality. Thanks for this! There’s so much good we can do in the world.
Would this have worked better if there were no regulations? No standards for water, sewer, fire, quality building materials or practices? No way of finding out if the site contained dangerous chemicals in the soil? No standards for fair lending practices? No guarantee against redlining?
Regulations provide a safely net for those who could be manipulated and a way to balance profits with integrity and a good outcome for all.
Thank you. As with clean air, water and environmental regulation, we all benefit from advances in construction codes and building quality. Not all regulation is well designed, however. We could do better analyzing cost vs. benefit.
Bravo, Al and everyone in your Habitat chapter.
You just told a wonderful story of overcoming multiple challenges (including residents who didn't want to give up "their" space!) to help people become homeowners. I sincerely hope that you are able to provide the template for others to follow. There's a special place in heaven for people like you. 😘
😇
Thank you for providing a concise and detailed look at the process, and its changes and challenges.
Private organizations, such as religious groups and service-oriented associations, once were an integral part of the social safety net of many communities. I've seen claims that government welfare programs et al. pushed them out, but surely that's just part of the full picture. Increased costs, regulations, liability, and a decline in civic awareness and volunteering all play a role; and I'm sure I'm missing some thing.
I don't mean to sound like an old crone ... yet there is truth in the observation that many of mainstream American culture's problems would be meaningfully addressed if more people simply started caring more about their local community and its inhabitants, and acted accordingly.
Spot on.
What a great tribute to the work and dedication to make these homes a reality. Thanks for this! There’s so much good we can do in the world.
Would this have worked better if there were no regulations? No standards for water, sewer, fire, quality building materials or practices? No way of finding out if the site contained dangerous chemicals in the soil? No standards for fair lending practices? No guarantee against redlining?
Regulations provide a safely net for those who could be manipulated and a way to balance profits with integrity and a good outcome for all.
Thank you. As with clean air, water and environmental regulation, we all benefit from advances in construction codes and building quality. Not all regulation is well designed, however. We could do better analyzing cost vs. benefit.
I love this, Al. Thanks for shining a light on this whole process.
Thanks for reading!
What ever happened to the home "kits" of the 1950s?
Regulation, building codes, costs…