Women In Housing

The concept of housing assistance for low-income families was created during the Great Depression . The initial idea was to help those who were temporarily affected by a loss of income , with the understanding that when job prospects improved , these families would be able to support themselves again . Over the decades , the recipients of public housing assistance increasingly became single women , particularly women of color . Policies originally meant for traditional families have had a detrimental impact on those that do not meet the criteria for traditional

One of the biggest problems for

single mothers and other households headed by women is the policy of excluding the entire family based upon the actions of one member . This has the effect of forcing women to choose between affordable housing and their children , the fathers of their children or their partners if any of them have been involved in illegal or criminal activity , especially drug activity . Even if the problem ' family members do not reside in the home , bans preventing them from visiting mean that they are cut off completely from participating in family life

Public housing policies should first and foremost begin by assuming that recipients are capable of making their own decisions about whom to allow into their lives . Single mothers may want their children 's fathers to be involved , even if they have a criminal history . Other family members such as uncles or cousins may also be a source of support , both financially and emotionally . Extended support networks are especially important...