Affordable housing isn’t political in Florida. It is a human right | Opinion

In a world increasingly divided along political lines, there is one issue that transcends ideology, party affiliation, and personal beliefs: The need for affordable housing. Hourly wage rates and annual salaries have increased in recent years, but not at the rate of housing costs. According to the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Opportunity Index, barely 40% of new and existing homes sold between the beginning of April and end of June this year were affordable to families earning the U.S. median income of $96,300.

Housing isn’t political; it is a fundamental human right. It is time to unite behind the cause of ensuring that every individual — regardless of income — has access to safe, affordable housing. Low-income individuals and families are especially burdened in states such as Florida, where luxury housing often seems like the only priority for real estate developers.

It is easy to get caught up in political debates about housing policies, zoning regulations and government intervention. But let’s steady our sights on what is at stake: The well-being of families, specifically our children. One in every 30 American children goes to sleep without a home of his or her own each year. About 2.5 million children are homeless in America in any given year. This is unacceptable.

The lack of affordable housing affects people from all walks of life. Families struggling to make ends meet, veterans returning from service and seniors on fixed incomes all share the basic need for a place to call home.

People without a home are not necessarily lazy. Millions of housing insecure individuals have multiple jobs and fewer than two children, so let’s think deeper.

The consequences of failing to address the affordable housing crisis are dire. Families are forced to choose between paying rent, buying groceries, keeping the lights on or buying life-saving medicine. Children bounce from school to school, unable to make meaningful connections with classmates. People with mental health challenges are left to fend for themselves on the streets.

Florida lays claim to the third-highest homeless population in the country, without even counting people living on the brink. That is in our community, and it could be us — it is us.

Housing instability perpetuates a cycle of poverty. When individuals and families are burdened by high rents or the constant threat of eviction, they are less likely to invest in education, health and job opportunities. Stable housing not only is a basic need; it is a prerequisite for economic mobility and a brighter future.

Fortunately, there are common-sense solutions that can bridge the political divide on this issue. First and foremost, we need to invest in the creation and expansion of low-income housing. This includes providing subsidies, incentives and funding to developers who prioritize affordable housing projects. It also means businesses large and small partnering with nonprofit organizations and community organizations — with the support of government — to build housing for the homeless and those with specific needs.

As president of an architecture and design firm, I apply innovation to affordable housing, with creative, replicable models that can work around the United States. In Little River Plaza in Miami, our “Transit Oriented Corridor” affordable housing model is predicated upon resiliency, lowering dependency on cars, reducing heat with increased shade and lowered temperatures, and providing residents with a comfortable respite that encourages a natural habitat.

The site is located at the intersection of a primary and secondary corridor — typical of many east-west corridors across the East Coast — in a way that provides convenient access to the region’s employment centers, with ride share pick-up or drop-off points and adjacent bus stop service. This is affordable housing that makes life easier.

Second, we should streamline zoning regulations and remove barriers to affordable housing construction. A “one-stop-shop” for affordable housing developers, such as nonprofits like AIDS Healthcare Foundation, can help stymie the crisis. This isn’t a matter of big government versus small government; it is about common-sense policies that promote housing accessibility. Local communities can play a pivotal role, fostering cooperation among residents, developers and policymakers.

Third, we must protect tenants’ rights and prevent predatory practices by landlords. No one should face discrimination, harassment or arbitrary rent increases. Strong tenant protections are essential to ensure that everyone has a fair shot at stable housing. Last, let’s prioritize homelessness prevention and supportive services. By addressing the root causes of homelessness, such as mental health challenges and drug addiction, we can reduce the human and financial costs of this crisis.

Every Floridian deserves a safe, affordable place to call home. Left, right, or center, we can all agree on that.

Margi Glavovic Nothard serves as Founder and Design Director at Glavovic Studio in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and Los Angeles, California.