Fort Wayne Development

[lyner]

Originally Posted by brainiac138

Why would you say that? Poor people don't deserve to live downtown? There is already so much class division for a city the size of Fort Wayne, adding fuel to the fire is not a way to help the situation.

Also, I would like to add, I lived in a mixed-income housing unit in Chicago. I think fifteen to twenty percent of the residents had to be below a certain line, heck, I may have fell below that line, anyway, it was often considered one of the most clean, safe units in the city. The worst crime that the area suffered were bikes being stolen from outside the building and every once in awhile a vagrant would get into the dumpsters outside, but that happened everywhere in Chicago. I guess I am trying to say there is no reason to have reservations about having a housing unit be mixed income, it should be examined and looked at openly. The way the economy is going, I think some places are going to have no choice but to make their housing mixed income.

I don't think mixed housing is necessary for such a small building in an underdeveloped downtown area. There is more than enough space to accommodate everyone. This is just one development...

[Northwest Indiana]

Originally Posted by brainiac138

Why would you say that? Poor people don't deserve to live downtown? There is already so much class division for a city the size of Fort Wayne, adding fuel to the fire is not a way to help the situation.

Also, I would like to add, I lived in a mixed-income housing unit in Chicago. I think fifteen to twenty percent of the residents had to be below a certain line, heck, I may have fell below that line, anyway, it was often considered one of the most clean, safe units in the city. The worst crime that the area suffered were bikes being stolen from outside the building and every once in awhile a vagrant would get into the dumpsters outside, but that happened everywhere in Chicago. I guess I am trying to say there is no reason to have reservations about having a housing unit be mixed income, it should be examined and looked at openly. The way the economy is going, I think some places are going to have no choice but to make their housing mixed income.

No reason to have reservations? These are UPSCALE CONDOMINIUMS...not average joe units...Let's be honest...housing developments only stay "mixed income" for so long before it becomes full blown low-income...why? Because mixed-income housing has restrictions that set aside units for LOW INCOME.......how often do you see units set aside for HIGH INCOME by law?? never.....and you cannot force someone with means to live well to live in a mixed-unit area if they do not want to; however, those with low-income live where they are able to...so what happens? The vacant "market-rate" units sit vacant for a period of time until they are eventually rented out to lower-income in order to make income for the landlord. Then what happens to people who have paid market-rate for their unit? What if they want to sell? You think they will make any profit? Let's face it, there is NO POOR URBAN AREA that is seen as desirable by the masses.

Believe me, I am willing to live by WHOEVER will respect property and contribute to society, and many many poor people do so! However, history has shown that many mixed-income settings do not remain so for long periods of time. Why pay 3 times as much for a space just so someone else can live the same lifestyle for half of that BY LAW? So I can "feel good"? Stainless steel appliances, free laundry, hardwood floors, granite countertops, and concierge service are LUXURIES not necessities...and when those things essentially get subsidized for the poor, it is no wonder most of the rest of the world thinks that being "poor" in America is a joke.

[whatsthebigdeal]

Originally Posted by Northwest Indiana

No reason to have reservations? These are UPSCALE CONDOMINIUMS...not average joe units...Let's be honest...housing developments only stay "mixed income" for so long before it becomes full blown low-income...why? Because mixed-income housing has restrictions that set aside units for LOW INCOME.......how often do you see units set aside for HIGH INCOME by law?? never.....and you cannot force someone with means to live well to live in a mixed-unit area if they do not want to; however, those with low-income live where they are able to...so what happens? The vacant "market-rate" units sit vacant for a period of time until they are eventually rented out to lower-income in order to make income for the landlord. Then what happens to people who have paid market-rate for their unit? What if they want to sell? You think they will make any profit? Let's face it, there is NO POOR URBAN AREA that is seen as desirable by the masses.

Believe me, I am willing to live by WHOEVER will respect property and contribute to society, and many many poor people do so! However, history has shown that many mixed-income settings do not remain so for long periods of time. Why pay 3 times as much for a space just so someone else can live the same lifestyle for half of that BY LAW? So I can "feel good"? Stainless steel appliances, free laundry, hardwood floors, granite countertops, and concierge service are LUXURIES not necessities...and when those things essentially get subsidized for the poor, it is no wonder most of the rest of the world thinks that being "poor" in America is a joke.

You are afraid to live close to poor people because they have they will have the same stuff as you? I don't understand your argument.

[Northwest Indiana]

Originally Posted by whatsthebigdeal

You are afraid to live close to poor people because they have they will have the same stuff as you? I don't understand your argument.

No, I am not "afraid to live close to poor people"...

If someone wins the lottery and buys something that they otherwise couldn't afford, more power to them.

However, when the government HEAVILY subsidizes and controls things that are MORE than basic necessities, that is when I have a problem.

Let's say I live in a $500,000 home. My neighbor decides to sell their $500,000 home for $1.00 because they want to. Will I be upset? Yes because I feel that my property will be devalued...but at the end of the day, it was their decision....now let's say the GOVERNMENT said that this same house can only be listed for a MAXIMUM of $10,000 so lower income individuals can move in. I will be EVEN MORE UPSET because a $500,000 home is not a "basic necessity" and should not be controlled by the government if the value indeed appraises for $500,000. It is a luxury just as these condominiums are. Not a basic necessity. Get it?

We all must strive to work for something...and I have NO PROBLEM providing aid to those who work hard but just cannot make ends meet and NEED aid such as basic LIVABLE housing and FOOD for periods at a time. But really, this project is a LUXURY development, not a half subsidized/half market rate development, nor should it ever be UNLESS the developer wants it that way WITHOUT government intervention.