I agree with the goal, but the question is how do we make housing more affordable? Right now, there are two answers: density and sprawl. Sprawl is stupid*, and comes with myriad external costs which defeat the purpose of this goal. This leaves density, which many oppose, but only because they are ignorant gits.

this is a good idea, but should be done hand in hand with mixed use development to help bring wealth and jobs to these areas

Another thing that adds expense to housing is that zoning laws prevent "shanty towns" and anything else that brings down property values. Such laws primarily benefit the "have's" not the "have not's". While shanty towns may not be pretty the alternatives are not either.

Under Bush admin. "chronic homelessness" was defined in a narrow way - mainlyy the "bowery bum" type of rootless individual who has not been in a shelter or sharing housing w/others. This effectively diverted resources AWAY from families w/children, who have a different pattern of homeless --eg in & out of shelter, family, etc. Recognize both groups, don't pit against each other.

Boris raises a good point. Housing will be much more affordable if/when we let the housing market find a bottom, aka it's natural fundamental place which is about 3 to 1 price to income ratio.

But, as I stated, there also has to be some sort of inclusion for those under the poverty line while de-homogenizing affordable housing within market rate.

This is another misguided statement. Why is housing expensive in the first place? Because of various policies such as minimum lot sizes, maximum heights, and other zoning requirements passed under a guise of preserving open space (which they actually fail to achieve). Subsidies won't help; reducing obstruction of market forces will. Redistribution fails, while promoting construction works.

If it is to be made a priority (which is important when 15 or so percent are below the poverty line and countless more have and are hitting the unemployment line in the past few months), it is CRITICAL to create policies that blend affordable housing with market rate housing. The previous policies induced by HUDs limited capabilities would concentrate affordable housing and, in turn, poverty.