Using the plantext provided in yesterday's blog, find two advantages (cite evidence). You need to find at least one card for each advantage. We will meet at the beginning of B lunch to discuss the inherency and solvency cards selected yesterday. Caution: actual varsity policy coaches are now following this blog.
From Alex Habrock:
April 1 at 9:35pm
I am now following it. I do like the idea of plan that is posted there. I would have the debaters to look into the social services and see what they find. I think this is a huge topic to cover. I'm really surprised it was framed the way it was.
ok
ReplyDeleteDEAL!!!
ReplyDeleteInherency: right now no one is being hired in the housing department. By Tom Jennemann
ReplyDeleteHoboken Reporter
‘WARM AND FUZZY’ – Outgoing interim Executive Director Robert DiVincent addresses a crowd Thursday night. He was praised for his work in lifting the Hoboken Housing Authority projects out of financial distress.
A majority of commissioners of the Hoboken Housing Authority agreed Thursday night to hire veteran public housing official Robert Graham as their new interim executive director. Graham, who has managed or worked for housing authorities in Jersey City and Bridgeport, Conn., among others, will be replacing Robert DiVincent, who was "borrowed" 18 months ago from West New York to bring Hoboken's troubled authority out of a major financial and management crisis.
So why hire an interim director to replace another interim director?
While DiVincent has been making progress in closing a million deficit left by the previous director, he also serves as the director of the West New York and Weehawken housing authorities.
HHA Commissioner Christopher Campos, who is also the City Council president, said that DiVincent did a good job, but that he was spread too thin between three housing authorities.
Political rumors
Before Thursday's meeting, there were rumors that the HHA board majority wanted to bring an ally of Mayor David Roberts into the executive director's position. Some suggested it might be the city's Human Services director, Carmelo Garcia, who also serves as the Board of Ed. president and hosts a local weekly cable TV show. Garcia's name was not mentioned Thursday night.
After the HHA voted last month to end DiVincent's contract, the federal department of Housing and Urban Development sent the HHA a strongly worded letter telling them to make sure they do a legitimate search for a qualified director.
The HHA oversees the city's federally funded housing projects, including 1,383 units for families and seniors. Graham was awarded a contract Thursday for 60 days.
The resolution hiring Graham passed by a 4-2 vote, with Commissioners Jean Rodriguez and Lynda Walker strongly dissenting. Both of them are the only two commissioners who live in the projects. They said that DiVincent was doing a good job, something the federal government has agreed with - so there was no reason to terminate him.
Solvency: In 1998 the 52 most indebted countries owed US$372 billion. Internationally the Jubilee movement has done the sums and found that these debts can never be repaid. Under the IMF and World Bank's Heavily Indebted Poor Country Initiative (HIPC) about 15% of the debt has been cancelled to date, allowing children in Uganda access to primary school for example. But any benefits gained for the 24 countries that have received some debt cancellation are likely to be lost in the next few years. Africa alone pays US$13.5 billion every year to service its debts. This is far more than its governments receive in aid.
"Without some fundamental changes in the priorities of the world's richest countries, the poorest countries will simply return any new aid money back in debt repayments. The intentions of the conference are very worthy but there is no indication in a statement agreed before the meeting of any decisive new action to rectify the injustices of a global scale," said Jill Hawkey. "The IMF, the World Bank and the comparatively new World Trade Organisation have a very poor track record in terms of development. Governments must take their lead from the people themselves."
http://www.converge.org.nz/pma/cra0274.htm
Advantage1- Economy
ReplyDeleteBethany Fuller, Statesville Record & Landmark, N.C.
Feb. 6--A resurgence in new home construction could deliver a shot in the arm the local economy desperately needs.
The ripple effect of a housing uptick, according to an economist with the National Association of Home Builders, would reduce unemployment, provide a boost to the tax base and aid other employment sectors.
"New houses pay their way," explained Elliot Eisenberg, who conducted an economic study on the impact of the construction industry on the local economy for the Lake Norman Home Builders Association.
In the Charlotte Metropolitan Statistical Area, new residential construction employs around 18,300 workers, making it the region's third largest employer, he said.
In Iredell County, building 1,266 single-family homes can bring in a return of $244.1 million in local income, an additional $51 million in taxes and other revenue for local governments and create 4,944 local jobs in one year, according to Eisenberg's study.
When the housing market bubble started to pop, Eisenberg said, people didn't capture the magnitude of the event.
Small declines in the housing market have rippled throughout other markets, such as automotive and banking, and created a massive overall economic decline, he said.
The new housing market's direct and indirect impact on the economy usually comes in three phases: construction, the ripple effect of spending the income and taxes from the construction phase, and the ongoing impact that occurs when the new homes are occupied.
Eisenberg said new construction is good for the local economy because money spent on lumber, gas and labor is usually spent locally. In turn, more jobs are created for support services and to assist the people moving into the new house, he said.
"New construction is the key to continued employment," he said. "The money runs through the economy by necessity."
During the construction phase in Iredell County, builders can bring in as many as 2,904 jobs and generate more than $147.29 million in local income, Eisenberg's study estimated.
The ripple effect during that same year could create 2,040 jobs and $96.7 million in local income.
Many people overestimate the strain on the local government for services and underestimate the number of people using them, Eisenberg said.
In addition, the county receives state supplements for some of its services. The county's revenue is not solely reliant on property taxes. It also receives money from sales and other taxes, he said.
In order to accommodate new jobs coming to the area, new houses have to be built, Eisenberg said. Otherwise, that job goes to sleep in another county where it shops and spends its money, he said.
"Nobody appreciates home construction because they don't see buildings built," he said
Advantage1- Economy
ReplyDeleteThe Economy is in a slump and the only sure fire way to boost it is through the construction of new housing.
Bethany Fuller, Statesville Record & Landmark, N.C.
Feb. 6--A resurgence in new home construction could deliver a shot in the arm the local economy desperately needs.
The ripple effect of a housing uptick, according to an economist with the National Association of Home Builders, would reduce unemployment, provide a boost to the tax base and aid other employment sectors.
"New houses pay their way," explained Elliot Eisenberg, who conducted an economic study on the impact of the construction industry on the local economy for the Lake Norman Home Builders Association.
In the Charlotte Metropolitan Statistical Area, new residential construction employs around 18,300 workers, making it the region's third largest employer, he said.
In Iredell County, building 1,266 single-family homes can bring in a return of $244.1 million in local income, an additional $51 million in taxes and other revenue for local governments and create 4,944 local jobs in one year, according to Eisenberg's study.
When the housing market bubble started to pop, Eisenberg said, people didn't capture the magnitude of the event.
Small declines in the housing market have rippled throughout other markets, such as automotive and banking, and created a massive overall economic decline, he said.
The new housing market's direct and indirect impact on the economy usually comes in three phases: construction, the ripple effect of spending the income and taxes from the construction phase, and the ongoing impact that occurs when the new homes are occupied.
Eisenberg said new construction is good for the local economy because money spent on lumber, gas and labor is usually spent locally. In turn, more jobs are created for support services and to assist the people moving into the new house, he said.
"New construction is the key to continued employment," he said. "The money runs through the economy by necessity."
During the construction phase in Iredell County, builders can bring in as many as 2,904 jobs and generate more than $147.29 million in local income, Eisenberg's study estimated.
The ripple effect during that same year could create 2,040 jobs and $96.7 million in local income.
Many people overestimate the strain on the local government for services and underestimate the number of people using them, Eisenberg said.
In addition, the county receives state supplements for some of its services. The county's revenue is not solely reliant on property taxes. It also receives money from sales and other taxes, he said.
In order to accommodate new jobs coming to the area, new houses have to be built, Eisenberg said. Otherwise, that job goes to sleep in another county where it shops and spends its money, he said.
"Nobody appreciates home construction because they don't see buildings built," he said
http://www.builderonline.com/construction/study-new-homes-critical-to-economy.aspx
ok these arnt in order, and the cards are inter changable... but here
ReplyDeleteAdvantage 1: new companies will stimulate the economy
New Construction companies are on the rise
http://www.articlesbase.com/business-articles/rise-of-construction-companies-from-hyderabad-648618.html 08
When the first waves of construction boom reached shores of India, companies from Hyderabad came up with concepts that struck chord with the high level construction and offered a range of solutions, services and products to a large and varied client base segment. Taking up group housing and cutting construction costs in every possible way, they came up with equipped to handle large scale ventures including the design and construction of IT Parks, SEZ’s, Ports & Harbors, Roads & Bridges, Power Plants, Major Irrigation works, Integrated Townships, Hospitals, Institutions, Leisure and Sports facilities, Industrial Buildings and Theme parks.
Our evidence proves, that construction companies can help the economy, by giving jobs to stimulate the econ
Wooderson in 09 http://www.24dash.com/news/Housing/2009-03-20-Councils-and-construction-companies-come-together-to-combat-the-recession
Since 2004, King’s Cross Construction has trained 2,500 young people in everything from carpentry and brickwork to plumbing and electrical maintenance. It has helped 1,500 trainees pass their construction skills certification scheme tests and 1,000 people into work. A new purpose-built centre has been provided by King’s Cross Central, on one of the most significant regeneration opportunities in central London, which will mean more apprentices can take up the training scheme. Carillion Construction Training has been appointed by the Council to train the apprentices at the centre, which is the first completed building of the redevelopment, and will work with building contractors to deliver bespoke training that reflects the skills needed on construction sites across Camden. 150 apprenticeships are available each year for out of work or unskilled Camden and Islington residents, and are primarily aimed at 16 to 24 year olds. Councilor Keith Moffitt, Leader of Camden Council, said: “The opening of this centre is a key part of our efforts to help young people in Camden and Islington find the training and employment they need during these difficult times. I am particularly excited to know that training in new building techniques that will help us green our way out of the recession will be provided here". Councilor Andrew Marshall, executive member for community development and planning and Deputy Leader for Camden Council, said: “King’s Cross Construction was set up to make sure local people benefit from the jobs created by the redevelopment. During the recession, it is now more important than ever that we offer residents the opportunity to learn skills needed to secure the jobs that are available. By working with building contractors, we can give local people the competitive edge.”
economic costs of unemployment
http://tutor2u.net/economics/content/topics/unemp/costs_of_unemp.htm 08
Most economists agree that high levels of unemployment are costly not only to the individuals and families directly affected, but also to local and regional economies and the economy as a whole. We can make a distinction between the economic costs arising from people out of work and the social costs that often result. Lost output of goods and services Unemployment causes a waste of scarce economic resources and reduces the long run growth potential of the economy. An economy with high unemployment is producing within its production possibility frontier. The hours that the unemployed do not work can never be recovered. Oh, and add any econ impact u want
SOCIAL COSTS OF UNEMPLOYMENT
http://tutor2u.net/economics/content/topics/unemp/costs_of_unemp.htm 08
Rising unemployment is linked to social and economic deprivation - there is some relationship between rising unemployment and rising crime and worsening social dislocation (increased divorce, worsening health and lower life expectancy). Areas of high unemployment will also see a decline in real income and spending together with a rising scale of relative poverty and income inequality. As younger workers are more geographically mobile than older employees, there is a risk that areas with above average unemployment will suffer from an ageing potential workforce - making them less attractive as investment locations for new businesses.
Advantage 2: Housing the Poor
The National rate for the homeless is skyrocketing
http://www.answerbag.com/articles/What-Are-the-National-Statistics-for-Homelessness/6bb94c3a-17e8-91d6-84de-339df53bbf82 07
The National Coalition for the Homeless estimates that children have become the largest segment of the population being affected by homelessness. In 2005 41 percent of the people who were homeless were under 18. Some were runaways but most lived with their families or at least a sibling, sharing either a room at a shelter or living with relatives or family friends. While most homeless children do attend school, they are more likely to drop out early, repeat a grade or have learning problems. Thirty percent of homeless families skip meals on a regular basis. According to a study by the National Alliance to End Homelessness, the ideal of three meals a day is rarely met. Children and the elderly are especially affected, particularly in those areas where food stamps or soup kitchens have restrictions that these people cannot overcome. Rural homeless are more likely to go hungry as well, as people who live in the city can often feed themselves from trash or restaurant cast-offs. Over the past 20 years lack of affordable housing has become the No. 1 reason for homelessness. This is mainly true in large cities where empty apartments are hard to come by and often require a substantial investment in order to secure a rental contract (real estate agency fee, first month's rent and security deposit are the standards). In rural areas people are more likely to be homeless for shorter periods of time, while city dwellers are often homeless and living in shelters or motels for periods of up to years.
And, the homeless need housing
Lopez in 06 http://www.latimes.com/news/columnists/la-me-lopez22mar22,1,3389674.column?coll=la-news-columns
"We're not saying the services in the plan shouldn't be provided," Alvidrez said. But the problem, he says, is housing. "They're going to put an engagement center at the Midnight Mission? Lamp is engaging them up the wazoo, but they've got nowhere to put them." At Lamp, a skid row center that treats and houses several dozen chronically mentally ill people — including a friend of mine by the name of Nathaniel — Deputy Director Shannon Murray agreed with Alvidrez. "Outreach? I don't need any more," Murray said. "If I had the rooms, I could put another 200 people in apartments tomorrow. I could put 500." As you can see, these are contentious times on skid row. The money is rolling in and countless agencies with conflicting philosophies, and sometimes cross-purposes, are reaching for it. Some people insist that supportive housing is the only way to go; others question the cost and the quality of some of what's been built. But this isn't an either/or situation. We need more housing, more services, more everything and no one's ever going to be happy with the way the money gets divvied up. As someone with a strong interest in how this whole thing turns out, the least I can do is sort through the information and misinformation out there, as well as hold public officials' feet to the fire.
1st advantage
ReplyDeleteThe current regulations and laws about housing is set up to eclude minorities from better negihboorhoods due to "fire and sanitation" violations. this leads to racism and distrimination, giving minorites the worst housing, while preserving better housing for the rich.
Duncan Kennedy November 18-19, 2003
http://duncankennedy.net/documents/Legal%20Economics%20of%20US%20Low%20Income%20Housing%20Informality%20Analysis.pdf
In low income urban housing markets in the United States,
most units are "illegal," in the sense that they have multiple violations
of the formal rules specifying minimum fire and sanitary conditions
and rehab often violates building codes. Public and subsidized new
construction complies with building codes, and usually with fire and
The discussion of informality is mainly influenced by the articles collected in sanitary codes. Due to the high cost of compliant new housing
construction, there is no private unsubsidized new construction for low
income people.
The middle and upper income urban market for owner
occupied and rental units is in compliance with the fire and sanitary
minima without significant official enforcement; private rehab and
new construction comply with loosely enforced building codes. But in
these markets sellers and their agents routinely violate antidiscrimination
laws, so that minority renters and buyers are routinely
steered into predominately non-white neighborhoods.
The suburban market is under an effectively enforced zoning
regime of requirements well above the legally specified minima for
urban housing, but significant variances are granted by dispensing
bodies, sometimes under conditions suggesting bribery. Here also
there is widespread racial and class based discrimination in sales.
2. The interaction of illegality and informal norms in the
low income market
The low income sector could be described as "illegal." A large
proportion of units violate building, fire and/or sanitary codes. New
units are created through subdivision of existing buildings in violation
of building codes and zoning regulations. The situation of illegality is
stable because city and state inspectorates are both unable and
unwilling to enforce the regulations in low income areas and because
tenants do not enforce their legal rights.
2nd advantage
Unemployment does not just affect the economy or society, rather it tears down the individual, taking away respect, dignity, and even breaks the family.
Jones, no date
http://www.helium.com/items/23934-the-impact-of-unemployment-on-our-society
Unemployment always hits individuals the hardest. The jobless lose their self respect, purpose, sense of achievement and, of course, income. It is not just the individuals themselves that are hit, their families also suffer with them. Homes and cars repossessed, arguments at home, perhaps even excess borrowing prolonging the suffering even when another job is found.
ADVANTAGE 1: Rasicm
ReplyDeleteCurrently Urban Housing is "poised" for just African Americans
Chapter in NBER book Housing Markets and Racial Discrimination: A Microeconomic Analysis (1975), John F. Kain and John M. Quigley (p. -22 - 0)
Published in 1975
An important aspect of urban housing markets is the token representation
of blacks in suburban areas. There is more than a germ of truth to the characterization of an increasingly black central city being strangled by a noose of white suburbs. Black Americans have not participated in significant numbers in the rapid postwar suburbanization of the population. In 1970, the 216 metropolitan areas of the United States were 12 percent black. Numerous explanations 'have been offered for the virtually total segregation of blacks. Common contentions are that blacks are concentrated within particular neighborhoods because they are poor, because they spend too little on housing, or because they differ systematically from the majority white population in terms of other characteristics that influence residential choices. These socioeconomic hypotheses are easily evaluated empirically, and several studies have examined them.5 Without exception, these, studies have determined that only a fraction of the observed pattern of black residential segregation can be explained by low incomes or other measurable socioeconomic differences.
THE INTENSITY OF THIS RACISM HAS BEEN INCREASING OVER THE YEARS.
Chapter in NBER book Housing Markets and Racial Discrimination: A Microeconomic Analysis (1975), John F. Kain and John M. Quigley (p. -22 - 0)
Published in 1975
The intensity ,of black residential segregation is greater than that documented for any other identifiable subgroup in American history. Moreover, segregation of these other groups has declined over time, while that of blacks has remained at a high level and, possibly, has increased. Finally, today metropolitan areas are very different places than they were thirty or fifty years ago. They are far less compact and employment is much more dispersed. Widely scattered employment centers impose heavy commuting costs on many ghetto residents. Comparable disincentives did not exist when the ethnic colonies flourished.
EACH INSTANCE OF RACISM MUST BE REJECTED
Bardnt ’91 (Joseph, Minister, Dismantling Racism)
To study racism is to study walls. We have looked at barriers and fences, restraints and limitations, ghettos and prisons. The prison of racism confines us all, people of color and white people alike. It shackles the victimizer as well as the victim. The walls forcibly keep people of color and white people separate from each other; in our separate prisons we are all prevented from achieving the human potential that God intends for us. The limitations imposed on people of color by poverty, subservience, and powerlessness are cruel, inhuman, and unjust; the effects of uncontrolled power, privilege, and greed, which are the marks of our white prison, will inevitably destroy us as well.But we have also seen that the walls of racism can be dismantled. We are not condemned to an inexorable fate, but are offered the vision and the possibility of freedom. Brick by brick, stone by stone, the prison of individual, institutional, and cultural racism can be destroyed. You and I are urgently called to join the efforts of those who know it is time to tear down once and for all, the walls of racism.
ADVANTAGE TWO:Unemployment
Rebecca M. Blank, Senior Fellow, Economic Studies
The Brookings Institution
Don’t believe these arguments. Serious labor market problems loom: both employment and wages have fallen in recent months. Job losses are not limited to one or two areas of the economy, but are increasingly evident in all almost industries. Most troublesome, long-term unemployment is higher than it has ever been at this point in the economic cycle. Almost 20 percent of all unemployed persons have been out of work for six months or longer. At the beginning of the last two recessions, that number was closer to 12 percent. This suggests that a substantial fraction of those who lost jobs in 2007 are having serious difficulties finding new jobs.By my calculations, 9 percent of the labor force is in trouble right now. I’ve added the number of unemployed to those who are involuntarily working in part-time jobs because they can’t find full-time work, and included those who say they want to work but have given up looking.With these problems in the labor market, why is the unemployment rate not rising rapidly? There are at least three reasons. First, the American work force is aging as the baby boom bulge moves into their 50s. This demographic shift lowers overall unemployment rates because older workers are more stably employed and have less unemployment. If you compare the current unemployment rates by age group with equivalent rates in July 1990 – the first month of the 1990-91 recession—it turns out that unemployment rates are as high or higher among virtually every age group in 2008. Yet overall unemployment in March 2008 was 5.1 percent, still lower than the 5.5 percent in July 1990. This is because the share of the population in the high-unemployment (younger) groups has fallen, while it’s risen in the lower unemployment (older) groups. But any worker who looks around at others in her age group will find unemployment is as high as in past periods.These shifting demographics should change our expectations about what constitutes low versus high unemployment. If the population in 2008 looked like the population in 1990, our current unemployment rate would be 5.5 percent, not 5.1 percent, the same unemployment rate recorded in the first month of the 1990 recession.Second, the share of the population that is working or looking for work has fallen over the past year. If we’re losing jobs, but unemployment hasn’t increased, this means that some people are dropping out of the labor market entirely. This ‘discouraged worker’ effect is often a sign that workers are pessimistic about their chances of finding a new job. The declines in labor force participation are particularly noticeable among very low skilled workers and among younger workers. Growing numbers of discouraged workers are not a good sign for the labor market.Third, the rising share of young men in jail or prison depresses unemployment rates among younger men. The Pew Foundation recently reported that 1 out of ever 100 adult Americans are now in prison. Our labor force statistics exclude these individuals, who are disproportionately likely to be young men of color, a population that tends to have high unemployment rates. The overall unemployment rate among men would be about 8 percent higher if those in prison were out and experiencing the same labor market as others of their race and age. By expanding our prison population, we have reduced the unemployment numbers. In short, today’s unemployment rate cannot be directly compared to unemployment in earlier periods. If we had a similar population in the labor force today as in earlier periods, our current unemployment rate would much higher. It’s also important to note that unemployment is always a lagging indicator in an economic slowdown. Unemployment rises during recessions and often peaks after a recession has ended. If, like me, you believe that the U.S. economy is in a recession, then unemployment rates are likely to increase steadily in the months ahead.Given this, now is the time to enact extended Unemployment Insurance benefits. Unemployment payments typically end after six months. Extended benefits would provide longer-term payments to those still seeking jobs and can assist these workers as they continue to look for work. Waiting for the unemployment rate to rise higher before we take action in the current economic slowdown would be a mistake.
Lack of affordable housing affects health care, educationDenver Business Journal
ReplyDelete- by Jennifer Erixon
Print Email Reprints RSS Feeds Add to Del.icio.us Digg This CommentsOther Matching Articles for
"lack of affordable housing"
MFA's Town Hall addresses housing concerns [08/02/2008]
N.J. housing rules deplored [06/27/2008]
Study: Lack of affordable housing strains workers [03/27/2008]
Affordable housing developer starts new project [01/31/2008]
Lack of affordable housing affects health care, education [01/28/2008]
> More Search Results
Health care, education and transportation are among the most anticipated topics at the General Assembly. Debates over how Coloradans will address each of these heat topics are expected.
What is most intriguing about these issues, however, is that high-quality, affordable housing is deeply related to health care, education and transportation -- yet our state legislators consistently neglect to address housing funding needs for Colorado.
Faced with both high costs of housing and health care, Coloradans often have to choose one or the other. With more than half of the low-income households in Colorado spending more than 50 percent of their income on rent, many families have little remaining to cover doctor visits or emergency medical care.
After paying rent, households in the lowest spending quartile have only $384 a month to meet other needs. This means they may have only $177 to spend on food, $44 on transportation and $28 on health care each month.
Providing stable, affordable housing improves the health of our community and ultimately saves money. It costs the City and County of Denver approximately $40,000 a year to maintain the health and safety of a chronically homeless person. Housing can be costly to implement, but less so than the lifetime costs of addressing chronic illness.
Housing and education, transportation
A safe, decent, affordable home provides the stability that all children need to be successful students. When children don't have to move all the time from shelter to shelter or a friend's couch, their school attendance is better, and they have a higher chance of ending the school year in the same school in which they started.
Homeless children miss up to 25 percent more school days than those with a stable home environment. If a child is worried about where they are going to sleep that night, they aren't going to be concentrating on what they are learning at school.
In addition, if parents are working multiple jobs to support housing costs, there's limited opportunity for them to participate in their child's education.
As housing costs rise in downtown areas, Colorado residents are pressured to live farther away from work, forcing families to spend on average 63 percent of their income on housing and transportation.
For every dollar that's saved by moving to a house that's more affordable but farther from work, a family pays, on average, an additional 77 cents to cover the transportation costs of car payments, insurance, gas, parking and maintenance. Also, as families move further from employment centers, even more pressure is placed upon the Denver metro transportation infrastructure.
How businesses are affected
According to a new study from the National Housing Conference, from 1997 to 2005, there was a more than 100 percent increase in the number of working family renters with critical housing needs, which is defined as households that spend more than half their income on housing.
Sharp increases in rental housing have occurred across the country, with Denver showing the largest rise in critical housing needs in the nation, with a 162 percent increase from 1995 to 2004.
With these startling numbers, working families and the companies that employ them are realizing that affordable housing needs immediate attention, because it directly affects them, their families and businesses.
Affordable housing is important to a community's ability to attract business that will produce quality products and services, and pay top wages to its employees. According to the National Governors Association, housing costs are a primary factor in determining whether a state can attract and retain employees and businesses.
A survey of employers and commuters conducted in early 2007 by the Urban Land Institute confirmed that large companies were greatly affected with problems resulting from long commutes and an inadequate supply of affordable housing; problems included high employee stress and high turnover.
Perhaps most telling for our region was that the survey found that overall, companies in the West were the most likely to acknowledge the lack of affordable housing as being a problem.
Without an immediate change to how we support safe, decent, affordable housing in Colorado, we'll fast approach a crisis.
However, some Colorado businesses are stepping up and supporting the idea of affordable housing.
In 2007, one private donor gave $1.5 million -- more than Colorado's budget allocation of $1.25 million in affordable housing grants.
More support needed
With more community support from businesses, lawmakers and neighborhoods, Colorado can turn around this crisis. Support can come through funding, land, building materials and other program-related resources.
From a multistory apartment community in downtown Denver to an affordable housing community in Thornton, it's important to remember that housing provides jobs, brings in and grows businesses, expands the city's tax base and improves the entire community.
Without focus on creation and preservation of affordable housing, Denver and Colorado will continue to have growing pressure on the education, health care and transportation systems.
Jennifer Erixon, president of Mercy Housing Colorado, has more than 10 years of experience in the affordable housing industry. Reach her at 303-830-3300 or jerixon@mercyhousing.org.
U.S. housing offers hope for economy
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. housing starts and permits rebounded in February from record lows, rising for the first time in 10 months, according to data on Tuesday that gave a glimmer of hope for the recession-hit economy.
Analysts said while the data did not mark a change in trend for the depressed housing market, it hinted at some stability that could ease pressure on the economy going forward.
The Commerce Department said housing starts jumped 22.2 percent to an annual rate of 583,000 units last month from 477,000 units in January. It was the biggest percentage rise since January 1990 and the first gain since April.
"Even if we get housing starts just sort of bouncing along the bottom for a while, at least that means they won't be subtracting from GDP growth," said Bill Cheney, chief economist at John Hancock Financial Services in Boston.
"At least that's the end of home building being a negative for the economy, even if it's not going to turn very positive. This could be the end of the downward trend, but I don't think it's likely to be the beginning of an upward trend."
Wall Street stocks took heart from the data and rallied throughout the session, with the Dow Jones industrial average closing nearly 2.5 percent higher at 7,395 points. The dollar rose against the yen, but traded slightly lower against the euro.
The data came as the Federal Reserve's policy-setting committee started a two-day meeting at which officials are expected to hold the benchmark interest rate in the current range of zero to 0.25 percent.
The statement at the end of the meeting, expected after 2:15 p.m. EDT on Wednesday will be scrutinized for clues on the central bank's readiness to start buying long-term U.S. government debt to bolster other efforts to jump-start an economy that has been mired in recession since December 2007.
BUILDING PERMITS BOUNCE BACK
New building permits, which give a sense of builders' home construction plans, rose 3.0 percent to 547,000 units last month from 531,000 units in January. Like the rise in starts, the increase was the first since April of last year.
The bounce in both groundbreaking activity and future building plans comes in the wake of a severe slump that has helped push the financial sector into crisis.
But compared to a year ago, housing starts had slumped 47.3 percent in February and permits were off 44.2 percent.
With the housing market at the center of the financial and economic meltdown, some measure of stability in the sector is widely seen as crucial to rescuing the economy.
The collapse in home prices and stock values has hit American households hard. While retail sales have shown surprising resilience in the past two months, weekly chain store sales figures released on Thursday indicated weakness.
The International Council of Shopping Centers said chain store sales dipped 0.1 percent last week after edging up 0.2 percent the previous week. Redbook Research reported sales were down 1.1 percent last week, compared to the same period a year ago.
The slump in demand, however, is keeping inflation pressures contained. A report from the Labor Department showed the producer prices index, a gauge of prices received by farms, factories and refineries, increased just 0.1 percent last month compared with January's gain of 0.8 percent.
Producer prices fell 1.3 percent compared with the same period last year, the largest drop since a 1.8 percent decline in September 2002, reflecting a big drop in energy costs.
Core producer prices, which exclude energy and food costs, rose 0.2 percent in February, after a 0.4 percent rise in January, and were 4 percent above the year-ago level.
"Pricing power is disappearing for a wide range of industries. Both intermediate and core prices are still falling, suggesting more price relief to come," said Chris Low, chief economist at FTN Financial in New York.
"The immediate threat of deflation may be fading now that oil has stabilized, but true deflation, at the core, is still building momentum," he said of the risk of a broad, sustained decline in prices that could further hobble the economy.
Here are two advantages. The economy advantage is pretty basic. We all know what happens when the econ crashes. Use a generic impact card if you want or find your own unique one. The second advantage may need some work but you get the basic idea. Our housing market sucks. people don't have homes. bad things happen.
ReplyDeleteAdvantage 1: Economy
Unemployment hurts the economy. 2008
http://tutor2u.net/economics/content/topics/unemp/costs_of_unemp.htm
Most economists agree that high levels of unemployment are costly not only to the individuals and families directly affected, but also to local and regional economies and the economy as a whole. We can make a distinction between the economic costs arising from people out of work and the social costs that often result. Unemployment causes a waste of scarce economic resources and reduces the long run growth potential of the economy. An economy with high unemployment is producing within its production possibility frontier. The hours that the unemployed do not work can never be recovered. But if unemployment can be reduced, total national output can rise leading to an improvement in economic welfare. High unemployment has an impact on government expenditure, taxation and the level of government borrowing each year. An increase in unemployment results in higher benefit payments and lower tax revenues. When individuals are unemployed, not only do they receive benefits but also pay no income tax. As they are spending less they contribute less to the government in indirect taxes. This rise in government spending along with the fall in tax revenues may result in a higher government borrowing requirement (known as a public sector net cash requirement)
Advantage 2: Goodbye Low-Income Housing
U.S. housing in shambles.
Thomas M. Menino. http://articles.latimes.com/2002/jul/31/opinion/oe-menino31
As housing costs continue to rise far faster than incomes, the need to address the nation's affordable-housing crisis is no longer a topic of conversation just in Silicon Valley or the Big Apple or inside the Beltway. Housing has become a major economic concern and deserves the attention of our national leaders. Everyone has a role to play in recognizing and acting to alleviate this crisis. The poor, the homeless and low-income working families continue to struggle to find decent affordable housing. What is new is the effect of the housing crisis on the nation's middle-income families. The number of middle-income families spending more than half of their income on housing increased by 74% between 1997 and 1999. More than 14 million Americans are now forced to spend more than half of their income on housing. In no state today does a full-time minimum-wage job enable most families to pay fair market rent for a moderate two-bedroom apartment. Congress would have to double today's minimum wage in order to enable families leaving the welfare rolls to afford a two-bedroom apartment. Janitors are able to afford rent on a one-bedroom apartment in only six of the 60 largest housing markets in the country. Retail salespeople are able to afford rent in only three of these markets. Teachers and police officers cannot afford to buy a median-priced home in most major housing markets. According to a recent poll, 41% of Americans believe that the lack of affordable homes is a very big or fairly big problem, slightly more than the 39% who express similar concerns about health-care costs. Whatever your monthly rent or mortgage might be, the bottom line is that housing costs are rising much faster than incomes, leaving less money for general consumer spending and savings--both essential ingredients for an overall healthy economy. Still, the U.S. has no federal housing policy, and it doesn't appear that we will any time soon. Congress and the administration have failed to enact any significant measures to address this crisis. Housing Secretary Mel Martinez recently told the nation's mayors that "housing issues are predominantly local issues" and that the "solution to meeting the nation's affordable-housing needs will not come out of Washington." No one can deny the important role that local governments, businesses and nonprofits must play in meeting the housing crisis. Yet it is equally essential for the federal government to address this problem. Drastic housing budget cuts in the 1980s were followed by small budget increases in the 1990s, spurred in part by the rising cost of government-funded housing vouchers. Few resources were devoted to producing new housing. For two decades now, the federal government has walked away from its obligation to preserve the housing we have and build the housing we need. As our mothers taught us, ignoring a problem will not make it go away. America's mayors are united in recognizing that there is an affordable-housing crisis and in demanding action. Working together, we have proposed a number of steps, including:creating a national homeownership tax credit to make buying a home more affordable;establishing a national affordable-housing trust fund to provide a steady stream of revenue to deal with critical housing needs, as Los Angeles and more than 200 other cities do;promoting expanded housing assistance by employers in the form of down payment help, low-interest loans and home-buyer education. These proposals alone may not solve our affordable-housing crisis, but they will help. And, equally important, they reflect the mayors' belief that affordable housing is a national priority.
Lack of affordable homes kills low-income housing.
Douglas Rice and Barbara Sard.
http://eng.habitants.org/noticias/local_info/usa_decade_of_neglect_has_weakened_federal_low-income_housing_programs
When housing costs are too high, the impact on low-income renters can be severe and enduring. Families can be forced to cut back on food, clothing, medications, or transportation. High housing costs also can compel families to live in housing that is overcrowded or unhealthy, or in neighborhoods with failing schools, high rates of crime, or limited access to basic services. Moreover, research suggests that housing instability and homelessness can hinder the healthy development of children in ways that have a lasting impact.This problem is likely to get worse. Over the past decade, the number of renter households has grown faster than the supply of rental housing, and there is little reason to expect this trend to change in the near future. Although rents may decline in some communities as a result of the foreclosure crisis and recession, wages will fall as well and unemployment is already rising. Yet despite rental housing’s importance to the well-being of a large share of American households — and the clear failure of the private market to meet the existing need — it has been the neglected step-child of federal housing policy. Since 1995, federal spending on low-income housing assistance has fallen by well over 20 percent both as a share of all non-defense discretionary spending and as a share of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Even when combined with the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit, the federal government’s total commitment to low-income housing assistance is less than one-third the size of the three largest tax breaks provided to homeowners (such as the home mortgage interest deduction).
Advantage 1 Racism
ReplyDelete(the credit of the discovery of this card goes to me)
I lack in subsidized low income urban house allows capitalism to exploit racism to the fullest
Duncan Kennedy November 18-19, 2003
http://duncankennedy.net/documents/Legal%20Economics%20of%20US%20Low%20Income%20Housing%20Informality%20Analysis.pdf
In low income urban housing markets in the United States, most units are "illegal," in the sense that they have multiple violations
of the formal rules specifying minimum fire and sanitary conditions and rehab often violates building codes. Public and subsidized new
construction complies with building codes, and usually with fire and 8. The discussion of informality is mainly influenced by the articles collected in sanitary codes. Due to the high cost of compliant new housing construction, there is no private unsubsidized new construction for low income people. The middle and upper income urban market for owner occupied and rental units is in compliance with the fire and sanitary minima without significant official enforcement; private rehab and new construction comply with loosely enforced building codes. But in these markets sellers and their agents routinely violate antidiscrimination laws, so that minority renters and buyers are routinely
steered into predominately non-white neighborhoods. The suburban market is under an effectively enforced zoning regime of requirements well above the legally specified minima for urban housing, but significant variances are granted by dispensing bodies, sometimes under conditions suggesting bribery. Here also there is widespread racial and class based discrimination in sales. 2. The interaction of illegality and informal norms in the low income market. The low income sector could be described as "illegal." A large proportion of units violate building, fire and/or sanitary codes. New units are created through subdivision of existing buildings in violation of building codes and zoning regulations. The situation of illegality is stable because city and state inspectorates are both unable and unwilling to enforce the regulations in low income areas and because
tenants do not enforce their legal rights.
Advantage 2 Economy
Unemployment hurts the economy. 2008
http://tutor2u.net/economics/content/topics/unemp/costs_of_unemp.htm
Most economists agree that high levels of unemployment are costly not only to the individuals and families directly affected, but also to local and regional economies and the economy as a whole. We can make a distinction between the economic costs arising from people out of work and the social costs that often result. Unemployment causes a waste of scarce economic resources and reduces the long run growth potential of the economy. An economy with high unemployment is producing within its production possibility frontier. The hours that the unemployed do not work can never be recovered. But if unemployment can be reduced, total national output can rise leading to an improvement in economic welfare. High unemployment has an impact on government expenditure, taxation and the level of government borrowing each year. An increase in unemployment results in higher benefit payments and lower tax revenues. When individuals are unemployed, not only do they receive benefits but also pay no income tax. As they are spending less they contribute less to the government in indirect taxes.
Advantage 1: Housing for the poor
ReplyDeleteHousing programs prove effectivness
National Coalition for the Homeless, June 2008
While employment and training programs geared to homeless people have proven to be effective in helping homeless persons obtain work, successful completion of an employment program by a homeless person does not necessarily end his or her homelessness. He or she still needs a decent job and a place to live. Therefore, transitional housing programs such as Sound Families in Seattle, have become very beneficial. By giving these families a place to live, they appear to be better able to find housing. In this program, employment upon entry into the transitional housing was 27%; when these people exited their employment rate was 50% (Long, Rio, & Rosen, 2007).http://www.nationalhomeless.org/publications/facts/employment.html
Ending homelessness is required to econ
National Coalition for the Homeless, June 2008
Ending homelessness will require closing the gap between incomes and housing costs. In such an equation, jobs that pay a living wage are critical. Government, labor, and the private sector must work in concert to ensure that all Americans who can work have an opportunity to obtain a job, which pays a living wage, and the necessary supports, such as child care and transportation, to keep it.
Advantage 2: construction
Fisher in 09 http://www.acppubs.com/article/CA6642134.html?industryid=48574
The new federal Recovery and Reinvestment Act is designed to help halt and reverse the nation's current economic downturn, and its focus on infrastructure spending could mean a boost for the construction industry, although it will be far from a complete solution. The stimulus plan extends broadly across a range of infrastructure, including highways, bridges, mass transit, federal buildings, public facilities, water projects, rail systems, a smart electricity grid, science research structures, broadband Internet access for rural areas, superfund waste site cleanup, and school buildings.
I'll post my thoughts later tonight. From here on out, when evidence is posted, let's post it with actual debate style citing. I know that in high school they teach APA and MLA format, however debaters use a much easier styling.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I like to do:
Web Site:
Author, Date (Author, Qualification, Name of News Agency or Web Site, "Title of article," Date, < url >)
(If you can't find an Author or Qualifications, go ahead and use omit them, but put the News Agency before the first date.)
Book:
Author, Date (Author, Qualifications, "Book Title," Date, Page Number)
I'll post an article on how to cut evidence in the near future.
I Love It and my policy God and Goddess speak! Just remember, Alex and Lisa, that some of these kids have only done congress this year--we are interoducing them to the joy of policy while others are varisty debaters (1 yr of VCX or just completed NCX). We will post Mon-Thurs but feel free to give them a weekend assignment.
ReplyDeleteAlright, for now, let's start out slower. I think that continuing to look into social programs is enough of an assignment. I'll have something a little more meaningful next weekend.
ReplyDeleteFor now, keep researching and continue to work on your speaking abilities. Yes, speed is nice, but clarity should be your prime concern.
Varsity debaters:
Continue to work with the pen drill and read your old policy evidence, or the newspaper (pick up the classifieds or the obituaries seem to work best). Do this at least a few times a day. I'd say five to eight minutes at a time.
Also, try to read something different each time as you will rarely read the same evidence in every round.
New debaters:
Pick up a magazine or newspaper and read it aloud for about 5 to 8 minutes. Try to gradually get faster, until you reach the point that you stop understanding yourself. Do this a couple times a day, and you'll get yourself prepared for the summer and fall.
ill get mine up soon k
ReplyDeleteAlex and I are on the same page. We both think that we should start work with the debaters themselves then focus hardcore on evidence and performance.
ReplyDeleteI would like all of you to go home and find information on social services. You don't have to bring it or post it but research it. This is what you will be living and breathing next year. Social services we know just from the definitions is a HUGE topic! I want all of you to research it then come back and tell us 5 different ideas you have come up with for cases. Something that you're interested in or that you came across.
Alex is so right! Clarity is better than speed. The drills really work; Alex and I have done TON of speed drills, it really makes a difference.
Alright. I have gone through and read all the posts as of 12:34 a.m. Friday.
ReplyDeleteFirst, and foremost, I am very pleased with the evidence and effort that you guys are putting forth, and I would love to see it kept up. I did notice a few things, and I will post them under each person's log in name. All in all, I was very pleased.
rpatin: When examining your inherency, I noticed that there really isn't a warrant to support your tag. Yes, there is an issue with interim directors, but I don't see how that affects the people actually building the homes not being hired in the status quo. Look around and see if you can find something that says involvement in those programs is low right now. As for your solvency, I'm not exactly sure what you were getting at here. I am interested in your line of thinking, could you please explain? All things considered, you are thinking, and that is what matters at this point.
Dvuong: I really think you are on the right track with the evidence. The only issue I see is that it might be just an isolated area that will benefit from home construction, see if you can find something a little more nation-wide, or evidence that shows it is happening other places too.
esmith: Nice effort with the first two articles, but I think that US-specific evidence would be best on this topic. The rest of the cards I really liked. Couple of questions though. The middle two cards, what resource did you use to get them? (I am having trouble with the url and am just curious) On the second to last article, was that an actual article, or just an answer someone posted on Answer Bag?
AMartin: I really liked the Duncan Kennedy evidence. I looked into the author and he is more than qualified for a racism advantage. (I believe he is a professor at Oxford, if memory serves) The Jones evidence is alright, however, I don't like that very little is known about the author. It looks like Helium is just a discussion board for random topics. See if you can find something to replace the Jones evidence.
C_Burba: Good job on finding evidence to support your claims. For non-critical cases, I would try to steer clear of evidence that is more than 10 years old, though. The other team won't deny that housing was racist in the past, but they will ask for evidence that the status quo is racist, and those cards won't work. The unemployment card is very good. Try to find some newer cards about racist housing practices, and try to construct an advantage for unemployment. Let me know if you need some ideas on the direction to take it.
S_elliot: The second piece of evidence is very useful to form an economic advantage. See if you can continue with an economic advantage. Also, the first piece of evidence, is a little too local. See if you can find something more nation-wide, or something that proves this isn't an isolated case.
nsteele: Good job. I think that the evidence is decent. Try to find something for the first advantage to equate poverty to unemployment.
DMartin: Whoever found the evidence, nice job. Like I said previously, it has high qualifications and it will be very useful. It is the type of stuff we are looking for. Can you explain this tutor2u url. I can't seem to access their info. Otherwise, great job. See if you can find more racism evidence.
hlarso: Very nice. The evidence has supporting warrants, and is very qualified. Keep looking for evidence regarding the construction advantage. I am interested to see where that goes.
Once again, you guys have a nice start here. Let's keep it up. Let me know if you have any questions.
I guess, I should introduce myself. My name is Alex. I am a Junior Computer Engineering Major at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and I am just completing my second year. I graduated from Millard South in 2007. I debated three years at Millard South. I was novice for one semester and varsity for five. Lisa was my debate partner for three of those varsity semesters, and together we were first runner-up to go to Nationals in the south district. I understand both critical arguments and straight-up policy debate. My goal is train well-rounded debaters. You may get frustrated at me, but please understand that I am doing what I think is best to help you guys learn.
ReplyDeleteJust a few side notes. If you need to get a hold of me, post here or your coach has my e-mail. I will do my best to respond as quickly as possible, but please realize that I do get busy with schoolwork too. If I don't respond by the weekend, feel free to shoot me another e-mail or something. I am really excited to be involved with the program, but, as Lisa said, you guys need to put in the effort and show us you are serious. On that note, I look forward to the coming season.
After getting a general idea about the housing problems after the political shift each above mentioned country is providing a more specific picture about this problem because despite the similarities in housing conditions and government housing objectives in these countries, the particular circumstances of the housing poor, and government responses to those circumstances, are determined by pre-transition economic and social conditions, political and economic choices made since the transition, and the “cultural” values of each country. The particular circumstances of the housing poor, and government responses, therefore, vary substantially from country to country.
ReplyDeleteBackground information
After the political transition the status of housing changed from a fundamental right to a political and economic ability. The main objective of the research is to provide an in depth examination of the living conditions and economic circumstances of the housing poor, the state and local government housing policies and programmes that address those conditions, the effectiveness of these politics and programs regarding privatization, allocation of responsibility between central and local governments, production and availability of affordable housing, …
The main point of the research is to recommend alternative policies and strategies according to the results.
EU involvement
This research project is an international comparative-analysis about the housing issues of the following Eastern European countries: Czech Republic, Hungary and Serbia. These countries were part of the Socialist Block and social housing has been a serious issue in them.
The moral of this essay can be most useful in other parts of the Union where social housing is a significant matter.
in conclusion.. construction companies mostly hire undocumented people , and at the same time American citizens are in the streets. so by implementing this ..americans will no longer whine that illegal immigrants are taking their jobs!
affordablehousinginstitute.org/blogs/us/2009/03/housing-authorities-comparative-advantages
a_merca: The first few paragraphs don't have a web address associated with them. They seem like they are a synopsis of an article.
ReplyDeleteEveryone: As a rule of thumb, try to stay away from blogs, unless you can find some good qualifications for the author somewhere. Judges won't buy blogs without knowing the position the person who wrote it is in.
Impact – depression breeds war
ReplyDeleteCook 6/14/07 - Writer, Consultant, and Retired Federal Analyst – U.S. Treasury Department
[Richard C., "It's Official: The Crash of the U.S. Economy has begun," Global Research, http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=5964]
Times of economic crisis produce international tension and politicians tend to go to war rather than face the economic music. The classic example is the worldwide depression of the 1930s leading to World War II. Conditions in the coming years could be as bad as they were then. We could have a really big war if the U.S. decides once and for all to haul off and let China, or whomever, have it in the chops. If they don’t want our dollars or our debt any more, how about a few nukes? Maybe we’ll finally have a revolution either from the right or the center involving martial law, suspension of the Bill of Rights, etc., combined with some kind of military or forced-labor dictatorship. We’re halfway there anyway. Forget about a revolution from the left. They wouldn’t want to make anyone mad at them for being too radical.