Sunday, November 26, 2017
Betrayal of American Values
In July, Congresswoman Maxine Waters (CA) introduced a bill to preserve the nation's public housing stock, which loses thousands of units each year. Meanwhile, privately-owned, publicly-funded housing for the low-income, disabled and seniors is facing a crisis of its own, as landlords circumvent federal covenants on their properties, in order to illegally convert to market-based rents.
In August, Governor Inslee (WA) noted the decrease in federal funding for civil legal aid to low-income citizens fighting for their rights to health care, housing and safety. Calling President Trump's proposal to eliminate funding for legal services "a betrayal of American values," Inslee added $5 million in new funding for legal aid.
Between 2010 and 2015, a million people were displaced from the San Francisco Bay Area alone, where rents tripled in that time-frame. With nowhere to turn, some of the displaced sought refuge in rural, quasi-public housing with federal rent-control. Now, under the Trump administration, that, too, could soon disappear.
In August, Governor Inslee (WA) noted the decrease in federal funding for civil legal aid to low-income citizens fighting for their rights to health care, housing and safety. Calling President Trump's proposal to eliminate funding for legal services "a betrayal of American values," Inslee added $5 million in new funding for legal aid.
Between 2010 and 2015, a million people were displaced from the San Francisco Bay Area alone, where rents tripled in that time-frame. With nowhere to turn, some of the displaced sought refuge in rural, quasi-public housing with federal rent-control. Now, under the Trump administration, that, too, could soon disappear.
