The rise in numbers of homeless shelters in the United States coincided with deinstitutionalization of the mentally ill in the late 1970s. During the same decade, runaway inflation—especially rising costs of living—left some members of the economy unable to keep up. The result was more homelessness. Over the years, socio-economic factors have continued to contribute to a rise in homelessness and consequent demand for more homeless shelters. Today, it’s clear […]
Affordable Housing Modesto
Ninth Street apartments: “Worst I’ve ever seen,” says attorney
“Any society, any nation, is judged on the basis of how it treats its weakest members—the last, the least, the littlest.” Cardinal Roger Mahony, 1998 With fifteen years’ experience representing tenants’ rights, Joseph Tobener has seen a lot of dilapidated buildings and apartments, including the warehouse that was the location for Oakland’s notorious “Ghost Ship” fire. But when he saw the horrid conditions at the recently condemned 624 Ninth Street location, […]
Low Rent Projects Don’t Pencil Out
News Item: According to the July 14th edition of the Modesto Bee, Modesto’s newest public housing project will cost about $274,000 per unit to build. The Tower Project will be built at 17th and G Streets in the old water tower park. Will the project deliver good value for taxpayers? Basic Apartment Finance In the private sector, apartment buildings are constructed with an expected rate of return on capital of […]