able conditions exceeds the capacity of the shelter system, increases in shelter capacity will lead to increases in the size of the shelter (Shinn). Shinns article goes on further by saying that families often have to choose between housing that is structurally adequate and housing that is affordable. Howard Husock came up with a great idea for solving the problem with subsidized housing and tenants that use the program too long. His idea is to have time limits on the amount of time that tenants can stay in public housing or use public housing vouchers. Husock states, It (Time limits) would allow housing subsidies to be directed to those in most immediate need rather than simply going to persons already in the system. In his article, startling facts and figures are given about the length of time tenants stay in assisted living. More than twenty-five percent of families have lived in their subsidized apartment for more than ten years. Forty-seven percent have lived in their apartment for more than five years (Weitzman). Imposing time limits would not allow the extended lengths of time that are currently given. Congressman Rick Lazio is proposing that tenants sign a form in which a date would be given as to their leaving of public housing. This signature would be an initiative for tenants to move fast on leaving subsidized housing and starting to save for a new place to live (Husock).Possibly, maybe the government removal of programs would be better for subsidized housing. If the government gave better tax breaks to landlords who provided lower cost housing then the need for shelters and projects should be decreased by a large percentage (Shinn State or Trait). Within the last fifteen years, Home and Urban Development (HUD) has finally allowed tax shelters to landlords (The New Look). The tax breaks come to investors who have low-income apartments or homes for a minimum of twenty years. After the twenty years, the owner of th...
