Housing Concerns

 In case you haven't heard, there is a lack of affordable housing in the United States.  

And while I completely recognize many of the systemic reasons for this crisis, there are personal things you can to to increase your personal and your community's access to affordable housing.  Here are a few ideas:

1.  Attend city council meetings to make your voice heard about the need for affordable housing.

2.  If you are a homeowner and have an empty bedroom, consider renting it out, or building an accessory dwelling on site to provide at least one low- (or lower-) income person or family with safe and affordable housing.

3.  If you do not have a medical or mental health reason for living alone, consider living with roommates.  This immediately drops your rent in half (if you have just one roommate) or drops it by two thirds if you have a second roommate.  The American obsession with living alone is a privileged position to be in.  Living with roommates frees up more housing options for those who NEED to live alone for their health.  Plus, you save money, have ready and hopefully pleasant social interactions daily, and always have someone to feed your cat when you leave for a weekend to catch a concert or attend a friend's wedding.

And as a psychotherapist and certified Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinical Specialist, if you tell me that autism prevents a person from having roommates, I call baloney on that one.  Autism does NOT NECESSARILY prevent someone from having roommates (but in some cases it can).  I literally know dozens of individuals in my community who are on the autism spectrum who have one or more roommates, and live rich and fulfilling lives that are enhanced by the presence of roommates.  Having roommates can in many cases HELP with some of the challenges faced by autistic individuals.  Living with roommates creates fertile ground for practicing social skills, collaborative problem solving, overcoming social fears, reduction in living expenses (and thus freeing up more money for nutrition, therapies, and hobbies) and fostering a sense of community and inclusion.

4.  If you qualify, apply for a Section 8 housing voucher, or get your name on the (oftentimes too long) waitlist.  There are also income-based government subsidized apartment buildings (Section 42 housing) in most communities in the United States where you can apply in person directly at the buildings' rental office on-site.

4.  Consider relocating to a more affordable neighborhood, even if it means moving out-of-state.  This is a tough decision to make.  But when you look at your income, housing expenses, neighborhood safety, community culture, political climate, the needs of your loved ones, proximity to health care (or to education, cultural opportunities, recreation opportunities, climate, and geography, and work/volunteer options), and other personal factors, it might be the best decision you can make for your long-term well-being to pack up and get the heck outa Dodge.  (That will also free up housing for someone who wants to live in your current dwelling/neighborhood/state).

This is not an exhaustive list of course.  But these few ideas could help you make more informed (and affordable) housing decisions.

All the best,

Teresa

Teresa Heald LCSW, MSW, ASDCS