PUBLIC HOUSING

MYTHS

FACTS:

In Minnesota 75% of all Public Housing households are headed by an elderly person or a person with a disability. Most of those are 1-person households.

23% of Public Housing families with children are headed by elderly or disabled people (disabled workers, grandparents, etc.).

Only 20% of Public Housing households in Minnesota are female-headed households with children.

Average household size in MN public housing is 1.8.

Public Housing Myths:

“It’s mostly single moms with kids.”

FACTS: There are 144 housing

agencies (HRA’s or PHA’s) in Minnesota. 124 housing agencies have

public housing programs, with a total of 21,000 public housing units.

66 housing agencies administer a total of 30,000 Section 8 housing vouchers.

Public Housing Myths:

“It’s mostly a metro issue.”

Housing Agencies in MN (HRA’s–PHA’s)

Public Housing Myths:

“Nobody Works”

FACTS:

In Minnesota 30% of all Public Housing households have earned income.

In St. Paul 44% of Public Housing family households have earned income (average earnings $20,000).

FACT: In Minnesota only 25% of public

housing residents (households) receive some welfare:

Public Housing Myths:

“Everyone’s on welfare”

MFIP (MN Family Investment Program for families)MSA (MN Supplemental Assistance for elderly people and people with disabilities)GA (General Assistance for younger persons not certified as disabled – temporary assistance)

Public Housing Myths:

“People stay forever”

FACT: The average length of stay in St. Paul Public Housing is around 6 years. Other agencies report similar data.

0

2

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6

8

YEAR

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2000 2001 2002 2003 2005 2006

6-YEAR AVERAGE STAY IN PUBLIC HOUSING IN ST PAUL

FamilyHi-Rise

FACTS:

Rent is based on 30% of adjusted income, with a minimum rent ($50/month in St. Paul).

In Minnesota, Public Housing households (all sizes) pay an average of $268/month for rent and utilities.

Households with children in Public Housing pay an average of $369/month.

Public Housing Myths:

“Most public housing residents don’t pay rent”

REPEAL THE “MFIP HOUSING PENALTY” !

Minnesota is one of the only states that cuts welfare grants (MFIP) to families who have public housing or a voucher.

Each family’s MFIP check is reduced by $50/month just because they live in public housing or have a Section 8 voucher.

FACT: Minnesota penalizes families who get welfare and housing assistance.

The $50 MFIP Housing Penalty hurts families with very low incomes who receive federal housing assistance. With $50 less each month for the family’s basic

needs, any crisis – car breakdown, health emergency, etc. – can force them out of housing or a job.

With both housing assistance and a full MFIP check, families are better able to get jobs and keep them (MDRC studies show this).

More Facts About the “MFIP Housing Penalty”

The $50 MFIP Housing Penalty takes money away from affordable housing programs:

More Facts About the “MFIP Housing Penalty”

Since rent is based on income, the PHA/HRA loses $15 in rent each month from each family on MFIP.

Minnesota housing agencies lose over 1.3 million/year in rent.

Result: Fewer vouchers, less money for managing and maintaining public housing.