Letter: Increase affordable housing in CR

If someone asked us if we wanted to end homelessness, we would say yes. If someone asked us if we supported affordable housing, many of us would say yes. But when we have the chance to have affordable housing units built in our neighborhoods, we may struggle with the idea. It makes sense that we would. We share cultural images of 'bums” and hear on the news about panhandlers who chose to ask for money instead of work. We hear about the connection between poverty and drugs and violence. But these cultural images we share are not accurate for most people.

When we think about affordable housing, who should we imagine moving in next door? Individuals and families who are eligible for affordable housing make 60 percent or less of the annual household median income in an area. According to the U.S. Census, the median income of Cedar Rapids is roughly $55,000. That means that those who earn $33,000 or less a year qualify for affordable housing rates. These people may be social workers, CNAs, restaurant managers and staff, teacher's aids, and the people who provide child care.

At the end of October, the Cedar Rapids City Council will vote whether or not to allow CommonBond Community and Willis Dady Emergency Shelter to proceed with a mixed-income affordable housing project. Some are concerned about who will be moving into these apartments. I challenge them as well as all of us to question our assumptions, prejudices and stereotypes before advocating to halt this project.

Chelsea DeLarm

Cedar Rapids