Tuesday, August 25, 2020

What would $1800 more a year do for you and your family? Columbia school director endorses affordable housing


by Robert Misciagna-
activist, school director, progressive

What would $1800 more a year do for you and your family? That is how much many Lancaster County residents could save if we achieved affordable housing for all.

In America today, housing is expensive. Economists recommend that every family budget 30% of their income for housing. In the year 2020, that is simply an unrealistic expectation. Nearly half of Americans spend more than 30% of their income to put a roof over their head. 18 million spend more than half of their paycheck just for shelter.

In Pennsylvania, with our state minimum wage of $7.25/hr, if you want to find yourself a one-bedroom apartment, and have it considered affordable, you have to work 86 hours a week. If you want a two-bedroom apartment, and don’t want to work more than 40 hours a week, you better be making more than $19/hr. Otherwise, be prepared to spend an even larger chunk of your income on housing, or to put in significant overtime.

The fact is, the cost of housing has risen consistently while wages have not. It is time to do something about it. Housing is just one expense of existing. For every extra dollar families spend on housing, that is less money they have for groceries, healthcare, transportation, and education. When rent is as costly as it is, it often forces families to choose between one necessity or another. Regardless of which expenses families deem to be the most urgent, there are almost always unforeseen consequences to that decision.

We must create policy that reflects what we already know: that America’s long-term prosperity hinges on our citizen’s ability to house themselves, feed their children, and care for their loved ones. Only then will we experience growth, and thrive the way we all want to. America must be a leader in providing affordable housing for our citizens, and in doing so, will allow our communities to prosper. The less money that individuals spend on survival, the more they can invest in their communities, contribute to small businesses, and put towards bettering themselves. Affordability yields growth fiscally, socially, and in education.

There are a lot of factors that contribute to rising housing costs. Whether it be the cost of land and development, increased demand, restrictive and exclusionary zoning practices, stagnant or decreasing federal/state housing subsidies, price gouging, creditors’ refusal to fund projects, or many other problems, the consequences are almost always forced upon working people.

Furthermore, even when housing was more affordable than it is today, past housing policies have been used to segregate communities. After explicit housing segregation, the system adapted. Banks used redlining to work around the law and achieve the same results. After that, those in power reinvented segregation yet again. The restriction of multifamily rental units to specific towns or neighborhoods has been maintained to protect wealthier white neighborhoods from financially distressed, Black and Brown communities and their presence. These policies can be described as the government version of a racist dog-whistle. These practices deny poor communities, often communities of color, the right to send their children to quality schools, have access to well-maintained public parks, or adequate health and safety services. At the same time, underprivileged communities are over-policed, under-funded, and looked down upon. As we revisit housing, we must consciously remove these racist and classist aspects of our system permanently.

Affordable housing has always been needed, but recent conditions have made the issue increasingly urgent. Due to the economic fallout of coronavirus, an eviction crisis looms over our country, and could possibly displace millions of Americans in the coming months.

The last time that we were faced with such intimidating housing prospects was in the collapse of the housing bubble in 2008, when the banks were bailed out with trillions in taxpayer dollars and low interest loans, as they foreclosed on the homes of more than 9 million americans. Today, millions of Americans, no doubt many of whom lost their homes over a decade ago, are reportedly unable to pay their next rent or mortgage payment. Currently, estimates predict that up to 40 million Americans will be evicted from their homes before this is over.

As federal and state protections for tenants and against evictions expire, much of the responsibility now falls on state governments and municipalities to ensure that their citizens have a roof over their head and a bed to sleep in.

It is these realities that require our governments to implement, and invest in affordable housing policies. Our society requires a holistic approach. No single regulation or grant program will solve the problem. In order to combat the rising costs in all aspects of housing, we must rebuild our housing system from scratch. While there are many reforms that require investment, there are others that require little to no new funding. Any and all changes are important if we are to provide our people with a roof over their head. Let me clarify— a roof over their head that doesn’t cost so much that they have to choose between or deny themselves of other necessities. For that to become a reality, we need inclusionary zoning practices. We need housing trust funds and revolving housing loan funds. We need to look at public and municipal housing. We need to repeal ordinances and zoning rules that prevent affordable housing from being built. Loosen density and height regulations to reasonable levels. There is no reason our society cannot provide permanent supportive housing to veterans, and the physically and mentally disabled. Shelter should not force people into, nor prevent them from moving out of poverty. And that is exactly what our system does.

When housing is affordable, it benefits everyone. In the richest nation on Earth, no man, woman, or child should go without a bed to sleep in. Expect more from your elected officials. Expect them to fight for housing for all.

Monday, August 24, 2020

Former co-owner of Sparrow Websites buys company as sole owner

(Pictured: A photo from a video announcement shared by Sparrow Websites, showcasing three of Justin Rule, new sole owner of the business.)

Justin Rule, previous co-owner of Sparrow Websites, announced changes in the business including his new role as sole owner. Adam Grim and Joe Byler, both previous stakeholders in Sparrow, are continuing to work with Sparrow on a part-time basis while perusing additional business passions.

Sparrow Websites began in 2016 by Rule and Grim as a website design company for small businesses out of Lancaster, PA. Its mission to deliver affordable, expert products to entrepreneurs, nonprofits, and other small businesses continues to be at the forefront of the organization.

Since 2016, Sparrow has grown in services, employees, and physical location. In December of 2019, Sparrow made the move to the Ignite Building in downtown Columbia, what was once Columbia Life Network. Sparrow took a special interest in the local community and participated in multiple efforts to revamp and rejuvenate businesses in the Columbia area. Sparrow now offers small businesses and entrepreneurs a service called launch kits where users can have expert designers create a website in less than 5 days for $500.

“I am going to take the reigns as the sole owner at Sparrow so my partners Adam and Joe can pursue some new passion projects while I, Justin, lead us into a new season ahead,” says Rule. “We are eager to continue serving you!”

To see the announcement video or to learn more about the changes happening at Sparrow Websites, you can visit www.sparrowwebsites.com/library/exciting-news-at-sparrow. For any questions on services or how this change effects current clients, you can reach out to Justin at justin@sparrowwebsites.com.

[Source: News release]

Sunday, August 23, 2020

About Town 8/23/2020

This week's photos of Columbia
(Click/tap on photos to see larger, sharper images.)


Old friends

Pride Flag - 
Columbia moves into the 21st Century.

Backyard flags

Ready to embark

Holding down the roof at Holy Trinity

Tribute to World War II submarine crews
(Locust Street Park)

Painting continues at Global Time Wizard

Once again, dumping

Lighting up at 403 Locust

 Construction vehicles used at the 401-403 Locust Street project did a number on the curb at the lot at 4th & Locust. Although the sidewalk was replaced last week, the curb still needs tender loving care.

As Colonel Bull Meechum would say, "Grossly insufficient!"

Signs at 430 Walnut

Working on that bottom panel

Meanwhile, across the street 
at 421 Avenue G

A 19-space parking lot with fence and gate is currently under construction there.

The permit was apparently signed on August 4, 2020 by Interim Zoning Officer Karen Zaporozec.

A Call for Racial Justice & Reinventing the Police is planned for Locust Street Park on August 25.

For some reason, Civil War battle flags of the Army of Tennessee have begun to appear throughout town. The one shown here is fittingly backed by a Trump flag.

Here's another. The flag is often used by right-wing hate groups and is not the official flag of the former Confederacy.

This one appears to hold a message that the South will rise again - yet the flag is displayed here in the North.

But here's a peace symbol.

And here's another.

They're hanging at the Olde Timber Works

Some signs need to be retired or replaced.

Down at Lloyd Mifflin's house

Hangover

There's where that missing cart got to.

Corn almost ready for harvest on South 9th

 After construction vehicles were moved from the lot at 4th & Locust, the area was tilled.

And reseeding was begun (here and below).




The boot

TRASH METAL ALUMIUM ANd MOVE

Columbia Presbyterian is going green, one door at a time.

Vultures seem to like the Turkey Hill tower.

This vehicle comes with a tail.

"The bridge"

Wrightsville in the rain

Under the bridge

The bridge is overdue for rehabilitation.

More of the bridge

Ripples . . .

Endless ripples

On the way there

Here's a pic from Chickies by Todd Stahl.

And last but not least: They're here - spotted lanternflies.