If you could ask President-elect Obama to tackle one housing issue, what would it be?

I go back to 235 /236 days. We built hundreds of homes for working folks
who paid based on their income. There were no outrageous foreclosures.
Reagan era did away with Gov't housing programs whcih precipitated the
homeless scenario. We moved people from shacks to safe,sanitary housing.
I am approached by people who tell me that they have paid off their 30 yr.
loans on homes that we built for them. Their home is their major asset. We
should revert to helping the working class to own modest homes. The mobile
home industry took the place of other affordable programs in early 80's but
the units did not appreciate and in most cases the users were renting their land so they did not participate in escalation of values. We can do better.
NOBODY is 'entitled' to 3000 sq.ft. but many would love to have 1200 ft. OUR
typical 1200 sq.ft. /$15,000 home of the 60's/early70's is now 75/90,000. The
buyers of those homes are very fortunate people. DMY

I think it is a shame that our neighbors, friends, co-workers are accusing the low-moderate income homeownership of causing this financial crisis. No one man can fix the problems that have been caused by Democrats, Republicans, Libertians and Independents. Simply put, all of us have had a hand in this crisis. We have looked the other way; we have not educated our consumers; we have looked after our own interest; and we have been so busy fighting for leverage that the government for the people by the people have been lost in the shuffle. It is not a Republican, Democrat, Independent or Libertian issue, it is an American issue. We live in the greatest country in the world and I just don't believe that we don't know how to fix this crisis. it is going to take all of us and not one person or party. Let's Take a break from the Rhetoric and look after the people, lets look beyond our own thoughts, and see the solutions. I am more encouraged and thankful than ever, because we are a strong and determined people and will not allow this issue to cripple our liberty and our resolve.

The one group that always gets the short end during boom or bust are the extremely-low income, 30% or less of median income. There is no coherent strategy for providing them with safe, affordable permenant housing. The current programs are a disfunction patchwork with huge holes that swallow up hundreds of thousands of families. Since there is no profit potential in housing these folks in most places, the holes can not be filled without a serious public funding commitment. We ignore this elephant in the room at our own peril.

Devolve HUD,giving as much to the States as possible. That's the change housing needs.

what about those that have been bitten by bad luck? Too many hard working families are faced with homelessness. With Identity theft at an all time high, how can a credit bureau report be the sole means of acceptance or denial for a loan in this economy? How many of us know FIRST HAND that the bureaus have inaccurate informatioon contained in them?
If we can give illegal aliens assistance with housing, then why can we not find a way to help hard working american's with less than perfect credit? How much profit is enough for the banks? for the corporations? People can NOT survive! for the rich, that don't have to worry if they can afford to eat today, there is now way they can relate.

I read that the UN spent MILLIONS on a painting - what the H---?? Wouldn't that money have been better spent on FOOD and HOUSING???? What is WRONG with people? Are our leaders REALLY that out of touch? until they personally KNOW someone affected, things will never change. I DO know people - FAMILIES - homeless. who can't get help. They make too much money for assistance but can't even get a rental house because of credit issues. Come on, America - WAKE UP