Urban Studies and Planning Commons^™

Housing Problems Grow More Acute For The Poor, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"One in seven people live below the poverty level in this rich country, and the result of this inexcusable condition is that housing is the principal problem for these more than 32 million people.

Nearly two of every three poor people rent their housing, and while home owners are experiencing increased equity because of increasing house values, low-income renters are having to pay higher rents with fewer dollars."

Is Owning A Home Still A Workable Expectation?, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"Part of the American Dream is to own and occupy one's own home, and, in this rich country, most people have attained that goal. But the concern today is that potential home owners, especially those taking this eventful step for the first time, are unable to make this dream a reality because of the high cost of housing in this part of the country. What will be the likelihood in the near future that the young potential home buyers reach this important life goal?"

Canada Teaches Some Simple Lessons, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"It's an odd person who doesn't marvel at the cities of Canada on his or her return from a visit to our neighbor to the north. Whether this be a trip to Canada's largest city of Montreal or to a Providence-sized Quebec City, people speak of the cleanliness, the safety, the beauty, the good public transport and the relaxed way of living. What accounts for the livability of these urban centers? And is there something that we can learn from the Canadians that we can use in our own cities?"