This message has been cross posted to the following Discussion Forums: Committee on Design and Residential Knowledge Community .
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We are experiencing a national unacknowledged housing crisis. Single-family residential construction has all but stopped, and multi-family construction is a fraction of our ever-increasing housing need because the banks are refusing to lend for housing construction. Traditional government subsidized housing has been a failure for tenants and the surrounding community.
I have an alternative solution to this crisis. Do you remember the idea of Educational Fee Vouchers back in the 70s where the government gives the choice to support different types of educational programs to the family instead of the state? How about Housing Vouchers? Let's give those in need of housing the choice of home ownership instead of the endless cycle of renting subsidized low-quality public housing.
To make this a reality, the government would set up a program to give individuals the opportunity to design a home for themselves. They would subsidize the cost based on the individuals ability to pay. The individual would select a piece of subsidized property, hire an architect and a contractor and build a home. Basic requirements about size and green building are in place. Each subsidized home fits the individual needs and personality of the owner, and the needs of the community. The built environment retains the character of individual expression. The new home owner feels the pride of ownership and acknowledgement of individual taste. The residential building market finds new support.
We need the AIA to begin creating and supporting completely new ideas such as this in their lobbying efforts at the state and national level. At least as much money needs to be flowing into the housing market as is flowing into rescuing the banks. Since the banks are refusing to lend for housing construction, I would even go further to suggest that all future bank "rescue" funding be redirected to supporting the housing market.
Will our conservative national AIA organization ever create an inspired program like this and take a stand on it that makes us proud to be members?
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David Ludwig AIA
David Ludwig Design
San Anselmo CA
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