All Forum Posts by: Lillian Burke

@Jill F. and @Dennis M. I agree. Mental illness- it helps to have better treatment, but even here, family support or sometimes friends need to be involved to keep people off the streets. Laziness and mindset: this comes at all levels, from the severely lazy who will not clean their houses to those who are not clearly in trouble, but who have no vision at all for their lives.  The movie above shows a young man who is able to pay for a hotel but who can't find a place to rent. The hotel probably costs more than a rental and more than a mortgage. He's probably working. His girlfriend works.  Apparently she was evicted once so this is the reason they cannot find a rental. As a landlord, these folks would be high risk. I would not particularly want to rent to them. In order to make it worth it, it would require a higher deposit than some state laws allow. Maybe one could collect an extra $200 in mid-month every month and keep in a savings account for them $5000 or so, to help tide people over- this could be used to pay the rent for up to two months, or for moving or storage expenses.  A lot of times, in my observations, the problem is not lack of money, it is lack of savings. People can spend $5 per day on cigarettes or drugs, so they have money.

Also, a lot of elderly people are living on social security.  If they had difficulty working due to a disability, they might get only $700 to 800 per month. Sometimes food stamps will only give them $15 extra per month.  Co-living situations might allow them to spend $400 on rent and utilities, and they could get by.  

For instance, here is a link to student housing in Chicago: 

http://www.capstonequarters.com/

The rooms with shared facilities are as low as $475. Of course, shared facilities with mentally ill people will be problematic, but might work. 

San Diego allows some parking overnight in public parking lots.  Maybe there could be tiny houses, parking, shared kitchen, bath, and laundry facilities like in campgrounds? The price of land is too high in SD for this, but it might work in other areas. There would be problems, but many police departments today have specially trained officers who work with the mentally ill. The health department could put an onsite nurse at the site to help with the disabled and mentally ill. 

It seems like there are more men than women who end up in this situation, though the reasons are not clear to me.  Perhaps women are more likely to be in support roles for men who work while men who are not good at holding good jobs don't do as well?  Part of the problem might be the loss of single room only (SRO) rentals in hotels and rooming houses. 

Due to the reasons you mentioned, I believe that there will always be a group of people who just cannot make it on their own. The reasons don't matter.  From a selfish standpoint, having homeless people camping out on the street is bad for property values and safety. Hiding our heads in the sand doesn't work. 

I'm just throwing out ideas because it seems to me, that the people on this website probably would have more practical ideas about the housing parts of this issue than any other group. 

I've bought or sold about 25 times- not a lot, but some experience.  One thing I have learned is that your agent makes all the difference.  Work with the agent as a buyers agent, that's basic. Beyond that, check out the agent. Many agents are involved in 0-3 deals per year. This is not a full time agent. You want a real agent who works at it every day and who has lots of experience. 

Your agent should be familiar with the type of property you are buying or selling.  Even if it is your own home, this is a business deal. Check reviews online. Preferably interview 3 agents before deciding on one.  Be aware that some agents are better at selling and some are better as buyer's agents. 

This is more on agents than on your deal, but a good agent would have helped you more and kept you out of trouble. 

I have extensive investing experience outside of real estate, and the first rule is to drop anyone or anything that is not working, even if it costs you some money. Just get out. Minimizing losses is a big part of success. 

Some people have jobs and it is hard for them to support themselves.  I have interacted with thousands of people who live on low wages.  I'm not looking for government programs or Section 8, just cost-effective, market solutions to the problems. 

Right. Section 8 is obviously an option, but I agree that large developments are problematic.  I'm also wondering about non-traditional housing arrangements that might be less expensive to build and manage. 

Recently, I read "Nomadland" about people who are poor or living on minimal social security and trying to get by. Some of my relatives have problems paying for housing and they don't understand how to navigate the system. Below is a link to poverty in America.  It was made by a German TV station and, frankly, it's embarrassing. 

German TV on homeless in America

I have contact with many low income people. So many people don't save a penny for emergencies (including some who make a good income). A lot of people cause their own problems.  That said, there is someone in here who lives in a hotel because his girlfriend got evicted several years ago.  I KNOW a lot of people drink, use drugs, sit around and do nothing, but there are some people who just can't make it. What I'm looking for is not criticism of the people, but innovative ideas about how to provide housing for people without going broke.  

For instance, if someone had an eviction record, would it be possible to require them to put money in an account every month under the landlord's control to pay the rent and for other emergencies? This might run afoul of state laws on security deposits. How could we make sure that people have funds for emergencies and to pay the rent for a few months? 

What low cost housing options might be available for cities such as San Diego and LA (see the video)?  Would single room rentals with common kitchen areas work. What would be the design? (locked refrigerators and cabinets for food and free housing for a live-in manager?).  

Since many people do not want a slum nearby, what is the maximum size for a low income development?  In my experience, living all over the country, the communities that do best require some low income property to be available scattered throughout the community.  This allows people-to-people interactions and avoids many of the problems that occur when one area requires a lot of resources. 

Please respond. Even if you just point out a problem, try to suggest at least one solution. 

I'm in Bluff city and interested in multi family.  Which Tuesday?

I think it is a good idea as long as the rent on the first is a market rent.  If I counted correctly, 3 people have tried something like this and it worked for 2 of the 3.  The third person (@John Pierce) apparently accepted the reduced rent on the 5th.  In my mind, if they paid the discount rent on the 5th, then they actually did not pay the full rent and they then would need to pay a late fee + full rent.  Since some states require a 5 day grace period, it also seems possible that a judge might think that the owner is actually renting for the discount price and trying to get by without a grace period.