The Under One Roof Housing Conference Addresses the Unique Challenges of Affordable Housing

Dr. Mark Latimore, Jr Interim Assistant VP for Land-Grant Affairs, Fort Valley State University. Ms. Keishon Thomas Fort Valley State University Cooperative Extension Program. Ed Jennings, Jr. HUD SE Regional Administrator

The Under One Roof Housing Conference held on February 23, 2012 at Fort Valley State University (http://www.fvsu.edu/), a Historically Black College and University brought together over 150 participants to address the unique housing challenges households are facing now and into the future.

HUD Southeast Regional Administrator Ed Jennings, Jr. was the keynote speaker and provided insight into the advantages of Regionalism in more effectively addressing these challenges especially as they relate to sustainable communities. Representatives from HUD's Atlanta Regional Office Multifamily housing presented information about the Section 202 and 811 programs in Georgia and how the programs allow persons with disabilities and seniors to live independently as possible in the communities by working to increase the supply of rental housing with the availability of supportive services.

Ed Jennings, Jr. HUD SE Regional Administrator addressing the conference

"The goal of the 2012 Under One Roof Regional Housing Conference (http://www.nifa.usda.gov/nea/family/pdfs/one_roof_2011brochure.pdf), was to explore issues surrounding affordable housing in the Southeastern United States and ways to resolve these issues to help build sustainable, prosperous communities.

The term affordable housing has a certain stigma. For many it immediately evokes images of housing projects and government handouts; however, it is a growing challenge that cuts across demographic groups, household types, and regions. The Under One Roof Mission Possible Affordable Housing conference is one initiative the Fort Valley State University Cooperative Extension Program will use to assist communities in addressing affordable housing challenges.

Over 30 million U.S. households are challenged with rent burden, overcrowding or physical inadequacy. In 2009, 17.12 million American households paid more than half their incomes for housing. Families with children and the elderly represent the highest percentage of persons with worst case housing needs. As reduced wages, increased pricing and limited housing stock continue to affect housing communities in the Southeast will be forced to implement strategies to address these challenges."

The mission of the Office of Sustainable Housing and Communities is to create strong, sustainable communities by helping communities connect housing to jobs, foster local innovation, and build a clean energy economy. Through its work and in partnership with other federal agencies, local communities and regions, the Office of Sustainable Communities is supporting cutting edge research, innovative and inclusive planning practices, and new strategies for improving energy efficiency in new and existing housing. Underlying this work is an emphasis on leveraging federal investments to create jobs, achieve multiple tax payer benefits for each dollar invested, and support local ingenuity, innovation and partnership.

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