Introduction
The concepts of housing and community development deal with the various processes and activities affecting the development of land (Adorno 2005, 41). Shelter is a physiological human need, making the issue of housing a matter of concern to many fields in the society today.
Such fields, which are concerned with the issues of housing and shelter, include, among others, politics and the economy. Community development is related to housing. It involves efforts to improve the various aspects of the environment within which communities exist. It aims at helping members of the community by offering them skills needed to change their localities. Such skills are achieved as a result of the people’s desire to improve their living conditions.
In this paper, I am going to explore various aspects of the housing industry in the United States of America. In addition, I will address the contribution made by the United States of America government to the Federal Housing Administration. The latter is charged with the responsibility of financing single- families wishing to own homes in various parts of the country. I will analyze how this initiative has helped in promoting social equality in the United States of America (Burawoy 2009, 4).
Moreover, I addressed the issue of housing policies and their effects on the lives of people in the United States of America in the paper. Other issues I focused on include the role of housing in community development the role played by housing agencies in a capitalist economy. I fully understand that ours is a capitalist economy, and that is one of the reasons why I sought to analyze how the two concepts of housing and community development interact with the economy.
Housing and Community Development
As I explained earlier, the two concepts refer to the various processes that influence land development. The processes are characterized by the activities of members of the society as they strive to improve their living conditions (Creswell 2009, 64).
I believe that housing and community development initiatives should enhance the quality of sustainable shelters in the society. In addition, such initiatives should enhance equality in the society. The success of the initiatives is determined by how well they achieve the outlined objectives. The housing and community development trend has gained momentum over the years, especially in urban settings.
I regard David Harvey as one of the most popular social theorists in the world. He has made attempts to explore political and economic factors surrounding the issue of housing. One of his greatest contributions to this end is in the field of urban political economy. While addressing the issue of urban political economy, David Harvey is particularly vocal on the issue of neoliberalism (Fernand 1995, 93).
He views a neoliberalized political economy as an oppressive capitalist system that benefits a few individuals at the expense of the majority. The oppression brings about the issue of inequality, which is associated with the emergence of socio-economic classes in the society. I agree with Harvey given that these concepts have a bearing on housing in the society. For example, individuals within the same socio-economic class are likely to seek housing within the same neighborhood as a result of homogenous financial status.
The Federal Housing Administration is the body charged with the responsibility of providing safe, small, self-contained, and low-cost housing facilities to Americans in suburban settings (Althusser & Etienne 2009, 58). The administration came up with housing policies aimed at improving housing standards in the United States of America, especially in suburban settings. The central government has over the years funded the Federal Housing Administration to help it meet the various objectives.
You will note that the federal government went a step further and insured the loans offered by private lending institutions to individuals wishing to establish suburban single-family homes. However, I note that the success of this initiative is debatable. For example, the initiative spurred large scale construction operations, providing shelters to the citizens. At the beginning, the initiative supported white Americans only. What this means is that the middle class white families benefited more from the initiative compared to colored families.
The discrimination was a social injustice considering that the state is expected to help all citizens acquire decent housing, regardless of their racial backgrounds. The practice widened the gap between the rich and the poor in the United States.
In addition, the Federal Housing Administration’s housing policies promoted racial segregation among the American citizens (Bloch 1953, 21). I will address this issue from the home owner’s hypothesis, which states that each and every individual is entitled to decent housing. The state is charged with the responsibility of empowering its citizens to acquire these services.
There are various housing policies promoted by the Federal Housing Administration. One of them required developers wishing to build single-family units to select locations that exhibited a healthy and growing demand for homes. In addition, the developer was required to select locations with a topology suitable for human dwelling, a location with good infrastructure and with various public utilities (Bourdieu 2011, 69).
I am vehemently opposed to some of these policies. For example, most of them favored families living within inner-city neighborhoods. The locations met these standards and qualified for funding. Families living in poor neighborhoods, majority of them black families, were locked out of this initiative. Racial segregation, which resulted from these unjust housing policies, led to the rise of institutionalized racism as members of the society favored their own.
I agree with Braudel (1992, 91) when he says that housing is not only a material commodity, but also a social process. People inhabiting a particular location interact amongst themselves, leading to the development of a community of people. Moreover, the quality of housing has a significant bearing on the productivity of people.
Satisfaction derived from proper housing gives the people a sense of fulfillment, putting them in a better psychological condition. They are able to engage in meaningful economic activities. Safe and secure neighborhoods are vital in housing since dwellers enjoy the peace and sense of security associated with it. It improves integration among members of the society.
Karl Marx’s reserve army of labor theory is comprised of political economy concepts. The term ‘reserve army of labor’ is used to refer to both the unemployed and the under-employed members of the society (Mian 2009, 1451). The housing industry plays a significant role in labor production.
The industry employs millions of people annually. The people provide various services, ranging from those of architects, engineers, foremen, as well as manual workers at the construction sites. The various labor groups created in the housing industry leads to the reproduction of social classes as a result of the varied levels of income among the individuals.
It is expected that people will inhabit neighborhoods occupied by people with financial capabilities that are similar to their own. The quality of services offered in these neighborhoods is dependent on the taxes contributed by members of the society (Mikhed 2009, 368). I believe this is the reason why housing is tied to education. Schools are funded using the taxes collected from the people living within the neighborhood where the school is located. Kids from poor neighborhoods end up accessing education that is of poor quality.
Housing is vital to community development given that it is linked to a place, as well as the facilities found in that place. People use their skills and available resources to improve their living conditions and the society around them. Proper housing decreases conflicts in the society and strengthens ties in the community (Solo 1999, 118).
Henri Lefebvre, a French sociologist, is well known for his discussions on the ‘reproduction of social relations of production’. His slogans serve as a point of reference for many urban revolutionaries today. Reproduction of social relations improves integration and ties among members of the society.
Speculations in the housing industry have led to inequalities in the housing sector. The reason for this is that speculations create uncertainties among members of the society with regard to future trends in the housing industry. When such uncertainties occur, people tend to rush to cushion themselves against losses or to maximize profits.
You will note that the rich in the society always have an upper hand since they have the resources required to take advantage of the speculations, as well as to influence policies to suit their interests (Bourdieu 1990, 48). The government has supported housing in the private sector through the introduction of subsidies, which are aimed at spurring economic growth and stability.
Politics and culture are dependent on time and the people in the society. Housing facilities continue to gain cultural and political value regardless of the fact that the quality may be deteriorating (Grogan 2002, 34). It is my opinion that the increasing value is associated with the fact that housing does not lose its cultural elements, such as functionality and structure.
Housing issues are blamed for more than 50% of all capitalist crises. The reason for this is that housing is a physiological need for all individuals and families. The industry has many players and it is often characterized by rapid changes, which may lead to crisis. As a result, many poor people in USA cannot afford decent housing.
Critical Theory
Critical theory is an academic discipline that encompasses concepts and knowledge from social sciences and humanities. It aims to critique and solve circumstances surrounding human existence (Ferguson 1999, 48). Critical theory aims at critiquing and spurring change in the society, unlike the traditional theory, which aims at helping people understand the society. I believe that it is the ‘direct opposite’ of positivist concepts. I will use critical theory to address the issue of housing and community development in USA.
Conclusion
As I have explained in this paper, housing and community development deal with the various processes and activities that affect land development. Housing is an important factor in community development (Febvre 1973, 69). Inappropriate housing policies in USA have led to inequality and racism in the society.
As a result of the many stakeholders involved in the housing industry, the sector is responsible for more than 50% of all capitalist crises. The issue of housing affects each and every citizen. As a result, the state should make sure that every family has access to decent housing, regardless of its racial background.
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