By Dennis Powell, e-Management

Not many people know or remember the Great Society program from the Lyndon Johnson Administration aimed at eliminating inequality and discrimination. Perhaps even fewer know that out of that program came the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The agency’s mission is to “create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all.” HUD is also charged with protecting consumers and improving the overall U.S. economy.

So Many Programs, So Little Space…
HUD runs numerous programs—too many to list on a blog posting. So, we decided to highlight some of the programs that are helping HUD advance its equality mission.

1. Housing for people with low income: HUD is well-known for its Housing Choice Voucher program—often referred to as “Section 8”—which serves more than 3 million low-income homes around the country. The goal of the voucher program is to help struggling families find “decent, safe, and sanitary housing.” The program has its share of critics who say that Section 8 cripples the motivation of tenants to improve their conditions. But the voucher program actually goes beyond what many people think. For instance, the voucher program assists the elderly and persons living with disabilities. Plus, tenants are not required to seek public housing residency. Did you know that landlords, not tenants, receive direct payment through HUD’s Public Housing Authority (PHA)?
2. Community planning and development: HUD’S Office of Community Planning and Development (CPD) helps low and moderate income families through grants and programs that improve communities and promote economic development and livable environments. CPD partners with commercial enterprises and nonprofits to meet many of its goals. Additionally, CPD grants go toward disaster relief, self-help homeownership opportunity, homeless assistance, Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) and other programs. Many people would be surprised to know that the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), which provides social and economic development in Appalachia, is one of CPD’s grant programs.
3. The right ‘PATH’ forward: HUD is a forward-thinking agency. Through its Office of Policy Development and Research (PD&R), the agency coordinates activities of PATH—the Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing. PATH brings government agencies and the private sector together to make homes better and safer through greener technology, energy efficiency, durability, and lower building costs. PATH’s focus is innovation and accelerating the adoption of new technologies into the housing market. PATH projects include examining how software is being used to make better homes; developing a “Flood Rehab Guide” publication; and examining how architectural design and technology innovation can actually make homes more affordable.

Is the Future of Housing Looking Up?
According to the Obama Administration’s Housing Scorecard, a report on the housing market released in early February, shows the housing market has improved from the dark days of the housing crash. Home sales are up and foreclosures are down 33 percent when compared to 2012. With HUD’s programs focused on community development, innovation, and more, home ownership and suitable living conditions could be a reality for more and more Americans. But, (1) are you convinced HUD is doing a decent job with meeting its mission for providing equal access to homes and housing? (2) What role, if any, do you see HUD play in creating a “Great Society?” (3) What are your ideas for getting more Americans into suitable homes regardless of their income?