Affordable housing is more important than ever in building strong, viable neighborhoods—our hard-working neighbors need options for finding affordable places to live in our communities.
Teachers have a really demanding job, not just meeting the diverse needs of children and young people all day, but working long hours, juggling administrative work, grading papers and projects, and managing expectations from students, parents, peers, and administrators. Teachers have a heart to reach children by helping them learn, create, grow, and invest in their dreams.
My teachers made an impact on me. I bet yours did, too. We remember those people in our community who invest time in us, who discipline and coach us to good behavior and success, and who spark the fire of learning deep inside us. Communities need top-notch teachers.
Just like teachers, communities need others who invest in us. Communities need top-notch fire fighters, police officers, nurses, medical professionals, artists, veterans, postal service workers, construction workers, hair stylists, cosmetologists, government workers, students, and retirees. To draw and keep these hardworking people in our Kentucky communities, we need to provide them with affordable options to call home and a place to provide stability for their own families.
"If a community cannot support its workforce, there will be shortages of workers and issues with keeping skilled labor, which places economic strains on that community."
The widening affordability gap has changed the face of those in most need of affordable housing across the United States and, specifically, in Kentucky. The report from Harvard University’s Joint Center for Housing Studies, The State of the Nation’s Housing 2018, which found that while the housing market has improved in many areas, there is an increasing number of low- and moderate-income families who lack access to affordable housing and homeownership is becoming less affordable. In higher-cost housing markets, typically in urban areas, it makes living close to work more difficult for our workforce.
Affordable housing is more important than ever in building strong, viable neighborhoods—our hard-working neighbors need options for finding affordable places to live in our communities. The face of affordable housing has changed as moderate-income members of the workforce struggle to find housing that is affordable and in close proximity to their jobs. If a community cannot support its workforce, there will be shortages of workers and issues with keeping skilled labor, which places economic strains on that community.
Holistic Approaches to Housing and Development in Communities
Innovative thinking and collaboration starts with education about who needs affordable housing, why it is needed, and why and how to support it in your communities. Who are the faces of affordable housing in your community?
Simply Home—Affordable Housing Creates Good Neighbors
Kentucky Housing Corporation (KHC) is launching its first-ever photographic exhibit highlighting affordable housing, during its two-day, statewide Kentucky Affordable Housing Conference—The Power of Housing is Now, at the Lexington Convention Center in Lexington, Kentucky on Tuesday and Wednesday, August 21-22, 2018.
The portable, pictorial exhibit—Simply Home—Affordable housing creates good neighbors, is designed to help housing partners advocate for the development and preservation of affordable homes and help policy makers and the public re-frame how they view affordable housing in their communities. The exhibit showcases the images of our neighbors who need safe, quality, affordable homes across the Commonwealth.
"Success starts at home. Having a home is essential to being able to sleep and restore, to work and earn a good salary, to support a family, to focus on your education, to support good nutrition, and, overall, to live more successfully. A home can truly be transformative."
Success starts at home. Having a home is essential to being able to sleep and restore, to work and earn a good salary, to support a family, to focus on your education, to support good nutrition, and, overall, to live more successfully. A home can truly be transformative.
Affordable housing not only helps families, affordable housing and home production creates jobs and it creates and strengthens communities by building infrastructure and stimulating local economies.
Who are the faces of affordable housing in your community?
Experience the exhibit curated by KHC and embrace what affordable housing is truly all about: creating good neighbors, building strong communities, and simply bringing everyone home.
Once the exhibit is officially launched, you can view the virtual exhibit online at www.kyhousing.org/SimplyHome.
Organizations may request the Simply Home exhibit for showings in their community. Potential venues include civic organizations, libraries, museums, and other places that can accommodate the 24-foot by 34-foot exhibit and consider the 4-foot accessibility for compliance with American Disabilities Act.
KHC staff will deliver and set up the exhibit onsite, free of charge, as a service to the Commonwealth.
What can you do to support housing that helps our friends, family, and all of your good neighbors who need affordable solutions?
Calls to Action
- Be a good neighbor.
- Bring the Simply Home Exhibit to your community for 30 days.
- Partner with others in your community to create holistic housing solutions that will strengthen and sustain both families and communities.
- Join the campaign on social media: #SimplyHome and #FacesOfAffordableHousing.
To request a reservation and coordinate arrangements, contact KHC via email communications@kyhousing.org.
Register now to join us for our statewide housing conference, The Power of Housing is Now, on Tuesday and Wednesday, August 21-22, 2018, at the Lexington Convention Center in Lexington, Kentucky, to see experience the launch of the exhibit and tackle big questions in affordable housing.
How can the working-class population achieve financial stability through homeownership opportunities in your community?
How can we support our families, our workforce, and our seniors?
What solutions do you envision?
References:
1. https://www1.salary.com/KY/Public-School-Teacher-salary.html
2. https://education.ky.gov/districts/FinRept/Pages/School%20District%20Personnel%20Information.aspx
