public housing myths. facts: in minnesota 75% of all public housing households are headed by an...
TRANSCRIPT
PUBLIC HOUSING
MYTHS
FACTS:
In Minnesota 75% of all Public Housing households are headed by an elderly person or a person with a disability. Most of those are 1-person households.
23% of Public Housing families with children are headed by elderly or disabled people (disabled workers, grandparents, etc.).
Only 20% of Public Housing households in Minnesota are female-headed households with children.
Average household size in MN public housing is 1.8.
Public Housing Myths:
“It’s mostly single moms with kids.”
FACTS: There are 144 housing
agencies (HRA’s or PHA’s) in Minnesota. 124 housing agencies have
public housing programs, with a total of 21,000 public housing units.
66 housing agencies administer a total of 30,000 Section 8 housing vouchers.
Public Housing Myths:
“It’s mostly a metro issue.”
Housing Agencies in MN (HRA’s–PHA’s)
Public Housing Myths:
“Nobody Works”
FACTS:
In Minnesota 30% of all Public Housing households have earned income.
In St. Paul 44% of Public Housing family households have earned income (average earnings $20,000).
FACT: In Minnesota only 25% of public
housing residents (households) receive some welfare:
Public Housing Myths:
“Everyone’s on welfare”
MFIP (MN Family Investment Program for families)MSA (MN Supplemental Assistance for elderly people and people with disabilities)GA (General Assistance for younger persons not certified as disabled – temporary assistance)
Public Housing Myths:
“People stay forever”
FACT: The average length of stay in St. Paul Public Housing is around 6 years. Other agencies report similar data.
0
2
4
6
8
YEAR
S
2000 2001 2002 2003 2005 2006
6-YEAR AVERAGE STAY IN PUBLIC HOUSING IN ST PAUL
FamilyHi-Rise
FACTS:
Rent is based on 30% of adjusted income, with a minimum rent ($50/month in St. Paul).
In Minnesota, Public Housing households (all sizes) pay an average of $268/month for rent and utilities.
Households with children in Public Housing pay an average of $369/month.
Public Housing Myths:
“Most public housing residents don’t pay rent”
REPEAL THE “MFIP HOUSING PENALTY” !
Minnesota is one of the only states that cuts welfare grants (MFIP) to families who have public housing or a voucher.
Each family’s MFIP check is reduced by $50/month just because they live in public housing or have a Section 8 voucher.
FACT: Minnesota penalizes families who get welfare and housing assistance.
The $50 MFIP Housing Penalty hurts families with very low incomes who receive federal housing assistance. With $50 less each month for the family’s basic
needs, any crisis – car breakdown, health emergency, etc. – can force them out of housing or a job.
With both housing assistance and a full MFIP check, families are better able to get jobs and keep them (MDRC studies show this).
More Facts About the “MFIP Housing Penalty”
The $50 MFIP Housing Penalty takes money away from affordable housing programs:
More Facts About the “MFIP Housing Penalty”
Since rent is based on income, the PHA/HRA loses $15 in rent each month from each family on MFIP.
Minnesota housing agencies lose over 1.3 million/year in rent.
Result: Fewer vouchers, less money for managing and maintaining public housing.