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The Tulsa Housing Market Area (HMA), coterminous with the Tulsa OK Metropolitan Statistical Area, comprises seven counties in northeastern Oklahoma and includes the principal city of Tulsa. Once known as "the oil capital of the world," the HMA continues to benefit from oil- and gas-related industries but now also has a more diversified economy, partly because of the increased presence of aerospace-related industries.
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The Steubenville-Weirton Housing Market Area (HMA), which is coterminous with the Steubenville-Weirton, OH-WV Metropolitan Statistical Area, is 40 miles west of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The HMA consists of Jefferson County in Ohio, where the city of Steubenville is the county seat, and Brooke and Hancock Counties in West Virginia. The city of Weirton lies in both Hancock and Brooke Counties. The Marcellus and Utica Shale Formations, which contain oil and natural gas deposits, underlie the HMA.
The Phoenix-Mesa-Glendale Housing Market Area (HMA) (hereafter, Phoenix HMA) consists of Maricopa and Pinal Counties and is coterminous with the Phoenix-Mesa-Glendale, AZ Metropolitan Statistical Area. For purposes of this analysis, the HMA is divided into two submarkets. The City of Phoenix submarket, in Maricopa County, includes the principal city of Phoenix, Arizona's capital and the sixth largest city in the United States. The Remainder submarket consists of Pinal County and the remainder of Maricopa County.
The Las Vegas-Paradise Housing Market Area (HMA), at the southern tip of Nevada, is coterminous with the Las Vegas-Paradise metropolitan statistical area and with Clark County. The HMA is home to the largest casino gaming market in the nation, with gaming revenues of $9.4 billion and nearly 40 million visitors during the 12 months ending September 2012, according to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA).
This is the first large-scale, paired-testing study to assess housing discrimination against same-sex couples in metropolitan rental markets via advertisements on the Internet. The research is based on 6,833 e-mail correspondence tests conducted in 50 metropolitan markets across the United States from June through October 2011.
The Greeley Housing Market Area (HMA) is coterminous with Weld County in northern Colorado. The city of Greeley is approximately 50 miles north of Denver. The current population of the HMA is estimated to be 263,700. Weld County ranks among the top 10 counties nationally for the market value of agricultural products produced and ranks second for the value of cattle and calves raised.
The goal of Cityscape is to bring high-quality original research on housing and community development issues to scholars, government officials, and practitioners. Cityscape is open to all relevant disciplines, including architecture, consumer research, demography, economics, engineering, ethnography, finance, geography, law, planning, political science, public policy, regional science, sociology, statistics, and urban studies.
The research symposium in this issue of Cityscape (Volume 15, Number 2) examines Mixed Messages on Mixed Incomes.
The Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk Housing Market Area (hereafter, the Bridgeport HMA), in southwestern Connecticut along Long Island Sound, comprises Fairfield County, the most populous county in Connecticut and the second most populous county in New England. The HMA, a global financial center, is 30 miles northeast of New York City and is connected to Manhattan by public transportation and interstate highways.
For much of the twentieth century, discrimination by private real estate agents and rental property owners helped establish and sustain stark patterns of housing and neighborhood inequality. Beginning in the late 1970s, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has rigorously monitored trends in racial and ethnic discrimination in both rental and sales markets approximately once each decade through a series of nationwide paired-testing studies. This summary report presents findings from the fourth such study, which applied paired-testing methodology in 28 metropolitan areas to measure the incidence and forms of discrimination experienced by black, Hispanic, and Asian renters and homebuyers.
When well-qualified minority homeseekers contact housing providers to inquire about recently advertised housing units, they generally are just as likely as equally qualified white homeseekers to get an appointment and learn about at least one available housing unit. However, when differences in treatment occur, white homeseekers are more likely to be favored than minorities. Most important, minority homeseekers are told about and shown fewer homes and apartments than whites.
The Buffalo-Niagara Falls Housing Market Area (HMA), coterminous with the Buffalo-Niagara Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area in western New York, consists of Erie and Niagara Counties. For purposes of this analysis, the HMA is divided into two submarkets: the Erie County submarket, which includes the city of Buffalo, and the Niagara County submarket, which is home to the city of Niagara Falls.
The Santa Ana-Anaheim-Irvine Housing Market Area (HMA) (hereafter, the Santa Ana HMA), along the Pacific coast in southern California, is part of the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Santa Ana metropolitan area. The HMA, which is coterminous with Orange County, is divided into two submarkets. The North Orange County submarket encompasses the principal cities of Santa Ana and Anaheim, and the South Orange County submarket encompasses the principal city of Irvine. The HMA is a center for tourism, health care, and technology production
Each of the articles in this issue of Evidence Matters touch on a different aspect of the work being done by policymakers, practitioners, and academics to create and understand mixed-income developments and communities. The lead article, "Confronting Concentrated Poverty With a Mixed-Income Strategy," summarizes the evolution of mixed-income strategies by HUD, local governments, and developers as well as the growing importance of these efforts in an era of increasing income stratification. In "Mixed-Income Community Dynamics: Five Insights From Ethnography," Cornell professor Laura Tach explains the important contributions ethnographic research has made toward understanding the community norms and policies that affect the lives of residents in mixed-income developments. "Inclusionary Zoning and Mixed-Income Communities" examines the inclusionary zoning strategies that New York City and Chicago have used to promote mixed-income communities.
The Role of Anchor Institutions in Sustaining Community Economic Development analyzes the positive impact that institutions of higher education can have in stabilizing and improving the nation's struggling communities.
OUP's Doctoral Dissertation Research Grant Program analyzes some of the many positive impacts that Doctoral Dissertation Research Grant recipients continue to make in the housing- and urban development-related fields of research.
A strong nation is built upon the foundation of strong communities. Healthy, resilient communities provide their residents with safety, stability, possibility, and purpose. They shelter, educate, heal, and employ. In turn, a community can only be as strong as its weakest links. Issues such as unemployment, homelessness, and crime and recidivism, to name a few, slowly whittle away a community's fortitude, leaving its residents prone to the misfortunes that befall the unprotected.
The two large postsecondary schools in the Provo-Orem HMA, Brigham Young University (BYU) and Utah Valley University (UVU), had a combined economic impact of nearly $1.3 billion in 2011. During the 12 months ending September 2012, nonfarm payrolls increased by 4,600 jobs, or 2.6 percent, to an average of 186,100 jobs. During the same period, employment gains in the HMA contributed to decreasing the average unemployment rate from 7.0 to 5.6 percent. Table DP-1 at the end of this report provides employment data for the HMA.
This report serves to update the Co-Chairs and the public of the White House Council on Strong Cities, Strong Communities on the work of the SC2 Initiative. Each section, outlined below, relates to SC2's work improving the way the federal government engages with and supports local communities to build local capacity to implement their economic development plans to achieve local goals. The report ends with the next steps for the SC2 Initiative, which includes supporting the President's proposal to create Promise Zones to help communities hardest hit by the recession get back on their feet.
This report presents the results of the Study of Household Transition from the Disaster Housing Assistance Program (DHAP-Katrina). This new approach to post-disaster housing assistance provided a time-limited, declining rental subsidy along with case management services to households affected by Hurricanes Rita and Katrina who still did not have permanent housing two years after the storms. The study's results indicate that participants were largely satisfied with their DHAP-Katrina housing and with the case management services they received. Results on post-program outcomes some seven years after the storms (and two years after the program ended) indicate that many DHAP-Katrina participants transitioned to the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program, but that many other former DHAP-Katrina participants seem to be at risk of housing instability. The executive summary provides background on DHAP-Katrina, a summary of the study's methodology and key findings, and a brief review of the implications of the results.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) finds dramatic increases in worst case housing needs during the 2009–2011 period that cut across demographic groups, household types, and regions. This rise in hardship among renters is due to substantial increases in rental housing demand and weakening incomes that increase competition for already-scarce affordable units.
The research symposium in this issue of Cityscape (Volume 15, Number 1) examines Climate Change and City Hall.
The research symposium in this issue of Cityscape (Volume 14, Number 3) examines Residential Mobility: Implications for Families and Comm unities.
The research symposium in this issue of Cityscape (Volume 14, Number 2) examines Moving to Opportunity.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has been funding transitional housing, permanent supportive housing, and related supportive services projects for homeless people since 1988, under the authority granted by the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act of 1987 and its subsequent modifications. When HUD began funding these projects under its Supportive Housing Program (SHP) as competitive grants, and later (starting in 1996) through the Continuum of Care (CoC) process, it gave applicants discretion to use HUD homeless funds for whatever mix of eligible activities they preferred. As a result, by 2000, nearly 60 percent of HUD homeless funds were being used by communities for services such as daycare and drug treatment, while the remaining funds were used for housing.Learn More
The economy of the Kansas City HMA is currently weak. During the 12 months ending March 2011, nonfarm payrolls declined by 8,200 jobs, or 0.9 percent, to 963,600 jobs, while the unemployment rate averaged 9 percent. The information and the transportation and utilities sectors and the construction subsector were among those hardest hit by job losses. Employment is expected to recover during the next 3 years, increasing by 0.3 percent annually, although job losses could continue through 2011.Learn More
Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, commonly known as the Fair Housing Act, prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental, and financing of dwellings based on race, color, religion, sex, and national origin. In 1988, Congress passed the Fair Housing Amendments Act. The Amendments expand coverage of Title VIII to prohibit discriminatory housing practices based on disability1 and familial status. Now it is unlawful to deny the rental or sale of a dwelling unit to a person because that person has a disability.Learn More
Kitchens that comply with the Fair Housing Accessibility Guidelines (the Guidelines) can be designed to look and function like conventional kitchens typically found in multifamily housing. The Guidelines specify that three specific requirements must be provided to allow people who rely on mobility aids to "use" the kitchen. "Usable" kitchens, as specified in the Guidelines, are not necessarily "accessible" kitchens, but they do provide maneuvering space for a person who uses a wheelchair, scooter, or walker to approach and operate most appliances and fixtures. Learn More
The American Housing Survey (AHS) measures physical adequacy, a concept related to, but different from, housing quality. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development developed this measure to assess the extent to which the housing stock met the standard of "a decent home and a suitable living environment," established by the Housing Act of 1949. The AHS definition of physical adequacy is complex; any 1 of 14 different situations can result in the classification of a unit as having severe physical problems. According to this measure, very few American housing units have serious physical problems. In each of the 3 years studied (2005, 2007, and 2009), the percentage of occupied housing units that were severely inadequate was less than 2 percent. Learn More
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Office of Policy Development and Research (PD&R), is pleased to present its biennial report, covering fiscal years FY 2011 and 2012. The report highlights PD&R's most notable and transformative accomplishments over the past two years. It focuses on PD&R's: mission, funding, people, projects, data, dissemination, and partner outreach. The final sections provide in-depth information regarding the budget, awards, conferences, and reports. Learn More
Inclusionary zoning (IZ), also known as inclusionary housing, has become a popular policy tool that local jurisdictions use to increase the production of affordable housing. IZ ordinances either require or encourage builders of new residential developments to set aside a certain percentage of the housing units for low- or moderate-income residents. Learn More
This issue of This issue of Evidence Matters examines various approaches to promoting successful homeownership opportunities for low-income individuals as well as the concerns these efforts raise. The lead article, "Paths to Homeownership for Low-Income and Minority Households," discusses the benefits and risks of low-income homeownership, economic and racial differences in homeownership rates, and HUD programs that make homeownership affordable, expand access to safe financing, and prepare buyers to be successful owners. The Research Spotlight article, "Individual Development Accounts: a Vehicle for Low-Income Asset Building and Homeownership," examines how IDAs have become an important asset-building tool for low-income populations and a potential path to more successful low-income homeownership. Finally, the In Practice article, "Shared Equity Models Offer Sustainable Homeownership," looks at two shared equity homeownership models — a land trust in Minnesota and a below-market-rate ownership program in San Francisco — to understand how these options can help communities make homeownership more accessible. Learn More
In laying out the Federal Housing Administration's (FHA's) mission in the single-family mortgage market and in presenting its historical role in meeting immediate and emerging challenges over its history, this paper serves as a useful foundation for considering FHA's future role in housing finance as both institutional and regulatory reforms are debated. The paper focuses on the historical and ongoing role of FHA mortgage insurance in sustaining access to mortgage credit, stabilizing housing markets, and expanding sustainable homeownership opportunities. In so doing, it provides useful facts, descriptions of policies undertaken, and information that can inform debates about FHA's appropriate role going forward. In performing its historical role, FHA has insured more than 41 million mortgages since its inception in 1934.
The Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program has been a significant source of new multifamily housing for a quarter century, producing more than 2 million units of affordable rental housing since 1987. In recent years, LIHTCs have provided funding for approximately one-third of all new multifamily housing units built in the United States. In the past few years, however, thousands of properties financed through LIHTC have become eligible to leave the program, ending rent and income-use restrictions. In the worst-case scenario, more than 1 million LIHTC units could leave the stock of affordable housing by 2020, a potentially serious setback to the goal of expanding housing choices for low-income households.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) finds dramatic increases in worst case housing needs (known as "worst case needs") that cut across demographic groups, household types, and regions.1 This rise in hardship is due to shrinking incomes and upward pressure on rents caused by growing competition for already-scarce affordable units. Worst case needs rose more sharply between the 2007 American Housing Survey (AHS) and 2009 AHS,2 both in absolute and percentage terms, than in any previous 2-year period since at least 1985. During this 2007-to-2009 period, the number of renters experiencing worst case needs jumped by more than 20 percent, from 5.91 to 7.10 million.
This issue of Evidence Matters examines several key topics in the fight to end homelessness. The lead story focuses on the critical problem of homelessness among U.S. veterans, especially those returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, and how HUD and other federal agencies have adopted a data-driven management approach to improve service and help these veterans become stably housed. "Using Data To Understand and End Homelessness" charts the evolution of federal data collection efforts such as Homeless Management Information Systems and point-in-time counts, exploring how measurement better enables policymakers to understand the scope of the homelessness problem and target resources to the most effective models of assistance. Finally, the In Practice article, presents the work of doctors, researchers, and practitioners who have shown the role that housing and supportive services play in improving health outcomes for chronically homeless individuals, emphasizing the significance housing can play as a platform for improving quality of life. Learn More
The 2009 American Housing Survey (AHS) included, for the first time, a battery of six questions on whether occupants suffer from disabilities. The six questions were taken from the American Community Survey (ACS), and the same six questions are used in the Current Population Survey (CPS) and the Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP). The National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) and selected supplements to SIPP contain more detailed questions on disabilities and related health conditions. This paper compares the various surveys that use the ACS questions and analyzes the data from the 2009 AHS on disabilities.
Title charges include title insurance premiums and often charges for closing or settling a loan. Title insurance premiums vary considerably across metropolitan areas, from an average of $700 in Des Moines, Iowa, to $2,190 in New York City. Housing market institutions and regulations explain some, but not all, of this variation. The other charges vary as well. This report attempts to explain the remaining variation in title costs within five housing markets. Local regulations and house prices are substantially associated with costs. Characteristics of the home purchase that make title search more challenging are modestly associated with costs in some markets, but not in others. Significant remaining variation between the fees charged by individual settlement agents suggests consumers would benefit from shopping for title insurance
The purpose of this study was to bring transit-oriented development planning together with affordable housing planning through the development of an implementable Model Housing Transportation Plan. The plan, with input from local, regional and federal planning, housing and transit agencies and other stakeholders, is unique to the site for which it was developed; however, it is intended to serve as an illustrative model for planning professionals, community advocates and community-based organizations in other jurisdictions with similar contexts. It endeavors to advance the nation's understanding of the need for affordable housing near transit and to promote strategies and tools to empower stakeholders to implement housing transportation station area plans that benefit the entire region. And finally, it seeks to demonstrate how federal agencies, such as the U.S. Department of Housing (HUD) and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) can work together to support local and regional efforts to develop coordinated housing and transportation plans.
The research symposium in this issue of Cityscape (Volume 14, Number 1) examines American Housing Survey Program.
U.S. Housing Market Conditions, published quarterly, is a compilation of statistical data and written reports. Tabular data indicate market conditions on the national level and are presented for each quarter. Historical data are also presented in summary tables. Overviews of economic and housing market trends are presented for 10 geographical regions, the report for each of which includes a profile on a selected housing market. Each issue includes a summary of the overall trends in national housing and a topical piece that describes a particular, noteworthy aspect of housing activity.
Most young people in the United States are experiencing an increasingly prolonged transition to adulthood. It is no longer assumed that they will automatically become self-sufficient adults on their 18th or even 21st birthdays (Arnett 2000; Wight, Xhau, Aratani, Schwarz, and Thampi 2010; Setterstein and Ray 2010). Rather, young people are gradually taking on the roles and responsibilities traditionally associated with adulthood while they acquire the education and work experience needed to become economically independent (Berlin, Furstenberg, and Waters 2010). This is often made possible by direct financial assistance and other support provided by parents or other family members (Furstenberg, Rumbaut, and Settersten 2005; Arnett 2000; Settersten, Furstenberg, and Rumbaut 2005; Shanahan 2000; Yelowitz 2007). In fact, it is now normative for young people to remain at least somewhat economically dependent on their families well past age 18. Learn More
This report studies housing units that at different times serve the owner and renter segments of the housing markets. At HUD's request, the authors had previously examined the phenomenon of units that change tenure, but that study was limited to the 2001–2003 period. The current study takes advantage of the MacArthur File, a longitudinal linking of 13 AHS surveys from 1985 to 2009.
The current AHS sample provides a history from 1985 to 2009 of all the units that were in the 2009 housing stock. Over this period, many housing units played more than one role. The most common history consists of being always part of the owner stock; 54.2 million units played a single role, that of owner units. Another 18.3 million units also played a single role, that of renter units. However, the "always renter" total is 5.5 million fewer than the number of units that were in the owner stock at some time and in the renter stock at some other time during this 24-year period. This paper focuses on the 23.8 million units whose histories from 1985 to 2009 consist solely of being sometimes in the owner stock and sometimes in the renter stock. We call these units own/rent units. Learn More
This issue of Evidence Matters examines the factors that make regions more resilient in the face of stresses, whether they are long-term industrial declines or unforeseeable shocks such as natural disasters. The lead story details how local capacity, leadership, and community connections can help regions avoid or recover from stresses and explores how the Obama administration's Strong Cities, Strong Communities pilot initiative is helping to grow capacity in some of America's hardest-hit areas. The second article delves into the evolution of research into regional resilience and considers several recent efforts to more completely understand what factors affect resilience. Finally, the practice-focused article discusses how the growth of poverty in suburban areas has strained local governments and foundations, and how cross-sector partnerships in Chicago's South Suburbs and in Chester, Pennsylvania have filled in gaps to support vulnerable residents. Learn More
The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program is one of the longest running programs of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) Office of Community Planning and Development (CPD). CDBG is a grant to states and local governments that is distributed by a need-based formula. Fiscal year (FY) 2012 marks the first year that the CDBG allocation formula will rely on the Census Bureau's new annual data source—the American Community Survey (ACS)—and the 2010 Census population counts. This report introduces the ACS to CDBG stakeholders and provides detailed information on how using the 2010 Census and ACS data shifts funding amounts. This analysis compares actual FY 2011 allocations with alternate allocations using FY 2011 appropriations, the FY 2011 grantee universe, and the new data that will be used in FY 2012. Allocations presented should not be interpreted as actual FY 2012 grant amounts. Learn More
Since Hurricane Katrina, many lessons have been learned about the importance of disaster preparedness planning and the impact of such planning on permanent residential housing recovery. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development continues to explore new strategies for supporting state and local governments as they prepare and plan for disasters. In cooperation with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the National Disaster Housing Task Force, we continue to address the temporary, interim, and permanent housing challenges that communities confront in a post-disaster environment.
The content is presented in four short volumes. The first volume provides an overview of the permanent housing options, which include manufactured, modular, panelized, and site-built housing. The second volume provides a summary of the national disaster housing strategy, and describes a straightforward planning approach for estimating potential losses and expediting rebuilding. The third volume presents the House Capacity Calculator, which is an easy-to-use application that estimates required rebuilding time based on available house production capacity. The fourth volume describes the basic plant design requirements for manufactured, modular, and panelized housing. Learn More
This report presents the long-term impacts of a unique housing mobility demonstration, Moving to Opportunity (MTO), on housing and neighborhood conditions, physical and mental health, economic self-sufficiency, risky and criminal behavior, and educational outcomes. The MTO demonstration was authorized by the U.S. Congress in section 152 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1992. In 1994, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) launched MTO to test whether offering housing vouchers to families living in public housing projects in high-poverty neighborhoods of large inner cities could improve their lives and the lives of their children by allowing them to move to lower-poverty neighborhoods. The original authorizing legislation for MTO charged HUD with describing "the long-term housing, employment, and educational achievements of the families assisted under the demonstration program." Learn More
Congress frequently provides supplemental appropriations through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD's) Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program to help communities recover from natural and manmade disasters. These Disaster Recovery Grants have been used to help New York City recover from the attack on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001; to help towns in the upper Midwest recover from severe flooding in 1993, 1997, and 2008; and to help the Gulf Coast in the wake of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005. Recent research by Abt Associates Inc., under contract with HUD, examines how $19.7 billion in Disaster Recovery Grants were used in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas to help with recovery from those devastating hurricanes of 2005.
The research had two key components: "windshield observations" of significantly damaged homes and neighborhoods and a survey of the owners of properties that were badly damaged. HUD has published two reports from this research:
This summary presents key findings from both reports and describes key policy issues surrounding the federal role in disaster recovery. Learn More
This issue of Evidence Matters examines several key topics in the fight to end homelessness. The lead story focuses on the critical problem of homelessness among U.S. veterans, especially those returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, and how HUD and other federal agencies have adopted a data-driven management approach to improve service and help these veterans become stably housed. "Using Data To Understand and End Homelessness" charts the evolution of federal data collection efforts such as Homeless Management Information Systems and point-in-time counts, exploring how measurement better enables policymakers to understand the scope of the homelessness problem and target resources to the most effective models of assistance.
Consistent with the outcome measurement requirements of the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) of 1993, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has sponsored several waves of third-party confidential surveys of its key program implementation partners—intermediaries that deliver HUD's programs to end customers. The surveys assessed partner satisfaction with HUD's performance, considered integral to enhancing agency accountability, improving program delivery, and ensuring quality customer service. Conducted in 2001, 2005, and 2010, the surveys covered many different aspects of HUD-partner relationships. Complete results of the 2001 and 2005 surveys are posted on HUD's HUDUSER website. This report covers the 2010 surveys. Learn More
This report examines changes in the rental housing market between 2007 and 2009 with particular emphasis on the affordability of rental housing. Using data from the American Housing Surveys conducted in those years, it answers such questions as: "Have the number of rental units affordable to households with very low incomes increased or decreased over the period?†or "What happened to the rental units that were affordable to low-income households at the beginning of the period?†Learn More
The Moving to Work (MTW) demonstration was established to give public housing authorities (PHAs)1 and HUD flexibility to design and test various approaches for providing and administering housing assistance that:
1) Reduce cost and achieve greater cost effectiveness in Federal expenditures;
2) Give incentives to families with children where the head of household is working, seeking work, or is preparing for work by participating in job training, educational programs, or programs that assist people to obtain employment and become economically self-sufficient; and
3) Increase housing choices for low-income families.
Manufactured housing units (built under the HUD Code or Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards in the controlled environment of a manufacturing plant and transported in one or more sections on a permanent chassis) provide an important source of affordable housing within the United States. After adjusting for land costs, the per square foot cost of HUD-Code housing is less than half of standard, site-built housing. With the increased use of multi-section units and recent innovations in manufactured housing building technology, particularly integrated floor and chassis systems, many manufactured housing units are now virtually indistinguishable from conventional site-built units. Learn More
The research symposium in this issue of Cityscape (Volume 13, Number 3) examines Crime and Urban Form.
The research symposium in this issue of Cityscape (Volume 12, Number 1) examines Rental Housing Policy in the United States.Learn More
The research symposium in this issue of Cityscape (Volume 13, Number 1) examines Discovering Homelessness.
A Components of Inventory Change (CINCH) study explains in physical (bricks and mortar) terms how changes that take place in a housing market come about. This CINCH report uses the American Housing Survey (AHS) to track the national housing stock from 2007 to 2009.Learn More
This edition centers on the role rental housing policy plays in housing and community development. Its lead article focuses on several proposals from last October's Next Generation Housing Policy Conference, sponsored by the White House, about the role of affordable rental homes in improving life outcomes. This issue also examines rental housing market dynamics, the role of banks in financing affordÂable housing, and the debate over a key piece of housing tax policy. Learn More
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) FY 2010–2015 Strategic Plan calls for an overall reduction in energy costs through improved design and operation of HUD-supported projects. Energy conservation and green building techniques are becoming mainstream practice for market-rate projects, and many sponsors and owners of HUD-subsidized housing have already started following suit, both in maintaining and upgrading existing units and in constructing new units. To ensure that this momentum continues in its Section 202 and Section 811 portfolio, HUD moved in fiscal year 2010 to require energy efficiency and water conservation measures and to encourage the use of green building design and features in new Section 202 and Section 811 projects. This Enhancing Energy Efficiency and Green Building Design in Section 202 and Section 811 Programs report was developed as the result of an Interagency Agreement between HUD and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), with the help of stakeholders who participated in roundtable discussions with HUD and EPA. It was developed to aid sponsors and owners in working with HUD to advance these goals and, specifically, to assist in responding to the new requirements and incentives.
The Evaluation of FSS Program: Prospective Study examined Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) program characteristics in a representative sample of 100 housing agencies. The study also followed a group of 181 FSS participants in 14 programs, observing their FSS experiences and outcomes. After 4 years in the FSS program, 24 percent of the study participants completed program requirements and graduated from FSS. When the study ended, 37 percent had left the program without graduating and 39 percent were still enrolled in FSS. Program graduates were more likely to be employed than other exiters or the still-enrolled participants. Program graduates also had higher incomes, both when they enrolled in FSS and when they completed the program, than participants with other outcomes. Staying employed and increasing their earned incomes helped graduates to accumulate substantial savings in the FSS escrow account. The average escrow account balance was $5,294 for program graduates, representing about 27 percent of their average household income at the time of program enrollment.
This report investigated the impact of HUD-assisted housing on the number of worst case needs for housing. This issue affects policy discussions about the impact of HUD's current assistance for 5.06 million units and the effects of devoting additional resources to assisted housing.
This study presents national estimates of the number of households that include people with disabilities who have worst case housing needs and presents their characteristics. It provides a supplement to the Worst Case Housing Needs 2009: Report to Congress, released in February 2011.
People with disabilities face additional burdens to finding safe and affordable housing for several reasons, such as being subjected to housing discrimination and encountering limited availability of accessible housing units. This supplement responds to the need to improve the estimation of the number of people with disabilities with severe housing needs and address the known undercount of past estimations. This supplement also analyzes the extent to which new direct questions on disabilities, added to the 2009 American Housing Survey (AHS), improve the estimation of people with disabilities and it discusses remaining limitations toward identifying people with disabilities with severe housing needs using this survey.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is pleased to present the 2008 Annual Homeless Assessment Report (AHAR), the fourth in a series of reports on homelessness in the United States. The reports respond to a series of Congressional directives calling for the collection and analysis of data on homelessness. The 2008 AHAR breaks new ground by being the first report to provide year-to-year trend information on homelessness in the United States. The report provides the latest counts of homelessness nationwide—including counts of individuals, persons in families, and special population groups such as veterans and chronically homeless people. The report also covers the types of locations where people use emergency shelter and transitional housing; where people were just before they entered a residential program; how much time they spend in shelters over the course of a year; and the size and use of the U.S inventory of residential programs for homeless people. This AHAR also is the first to compare Point-in-Time estimates reported by Continuums of Care across several years.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is pleased to present the 2009 Annual Homeless Assessment Report (AHAR), the fifth in a series of reports on homelessness in the United States. The reports respond to a series of Congressional directives calling for the collection and analysis of data on homelessness.
The AHAR reports provide the latest counts of homelessness nationwide—including counts of individuals, persons in families, and special population groups such as veterans and chronically homeless people. The report also covers the types of locations where people use emergency shelter and transitional housing; where people were just before they entered a residential program; how much time they spend in shelters over the course of a year; and the size and use of the U.S inventory of residential programs for homeless people.
With the 2009 AHAR, we now have three complete years of data on the numbers and characteristics of sheltered homeless people, how they became homeless, and how they used the homeless services system. This is important, because we can begin to see discernable trends in homelessness, including the effects of the recession and of changes over time to the homeless services system.
In recognition of the fact that a lack of savings is the most significant barrier to homeownership for most low-income families, Congress passed the American Dream Downpayment Act of 2003, which established the American Dream Downpayment Initiative (ADDI). The ADDI program was designed to provide assistance with downpayments, closing costs, and, if necessary, rehabilitation work done in conjunction with a home purchase. This formula-based program disburses assistance through a network of Participating Jurisdictions (PJs) in all 50 states and affords them significant flexibility in designing homebuyer programs to meet the needs of their communities. Established as part of the HOME program,2 ADDI is a prime example of direct federal assistance to promote low-income homeownership.
Built-out communities and communities with land use restrictions have significant barriers to overcome when implementing affordable housing. The limited availability of land suitable for development forces community leaders to come up with creative solutions to the affordable housing crisis. Several of these jurisdictions are now turning to accessory dwelling units (ADUs) — also referred to as granny flats, accessory apartments, or second units — as an inexpensive way to increase their housing supply. Restrictive zoning policies are being revised to allow development of these units. However, such policies are often met with community opposition from residents concerned that ADUs will change their neighborhood's character, promote overcrowding, and increase traffic congestion. This case study examines the history and benefits of ADUs, and highlights six communities that have successfully implemented ADU ordinances.
The primary objective of the CDBG program is the development of viable urban communities, by providing decent housing, suitable living environments, and expanded economic opportunities, principally for low- and moderate-income persons. To divide the annual appropriation of CDBG funds among jurisdictions, Congress has designed a formula that seeks to provide larger grants to communities with relatively high community development need and smaller grants to communities with relatively low community development need. The core formula variables in the allocation formula have not been changed since 1978. This report provides the latest assessment of how well the variables being used in the CDBG formula continue to target funds toward community development need. It shows that the formula does generally continue to target to need, but that targeting toward community development need has declined substantially over the past 26 years. Over time, an increasing number of jurisdictions with similar need have come to receive substantially different grants. In addition, the amount of funds going to the most needy grantees on a per capita basis has decreased, while the amount of funds going to the least needy grantees on a per capita basis has increased.
This report offers four alternative formulas that would substantially improve targeting to community development need. Each provides trade-offs in terms of formula simplicity, the amount of funds reallocated, and the type of community development need to be accorded the highest priority. It's important to recognize that any change to the existing formula that improves targeting to need will result in a significant redistribution of funds. Nonetheless, the Department hopes that serious attention will be given to the alternatives presented in this report. We look forward to working with Congress, CDBG grantees, and other stakeholders to discuss alternatives to the current formula.
The research symposium in this issue of Cityscape (Volume 12, Number 2) examines Aging in Place.
The research symposium in this issue of Cityscape (Volume 12, Number 1) examines HOPE VI Program.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) commissioned the National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB) Research Center to do a cost evaluation of the Section 202 and Section 811 supportive housing programs. The legislatively stated purpose of the Section 202 program is to provide "Supportive Housing for the Elderly," just as the purpose of the Section 811 program is to provide "Supportive Housing for Persons with Disabilities" (including Group Homes). HUD initiated a study of these programs because of concerns about the accuracy of the project development cost limits it was using for this program. The most significant concern was that the total development cost limits under this program were inadequate to fund all development costs for projects in at least some areas, and that the need for program sponsors to find other sources of grant funding often resulted in significant project development delays. HUD was also concerned about whether the cost limits had a consistent relationship with actual development costs from area to area.
Few people intentionally consider durability when designing a home, but rather rely on experience and market acceptance to make design decisions. This approach to design works best in a stable housing market where architectural preferences and material choices do not change or change very slowly. The housing market, however, tends to be dynamic rather than stable and new materials and preferences influence the market continuously, sometimes in dramatic ways. This dynamic condition also places a responsibility on designers and builders to properly apply their experiences, which are often based on older construction methods and materials, to new materials and design conditions. As a result, it is important to understand why certain practices have been effective (or ineffective) in the past so that they can be properly interpreted and considered in the design and construction of modern homes.
This manual titled Durability by Design: A Guide for Residential Builders and Designers is intended to raise the awareness and understanding of building durability as a design consideration in housing. The Guide covers basic concepts of durability and presents recommended practices - including numerous construction details and design data - for matters such as moisture management, ultraviolet (UV) protection, insects, decay, corrosion, and natural hazards. Some attention is also given to matters that may be considered serviceability issues related to normal wear-and-tear, aesthetics, or functions not immediately associated with durability.
The contents of this Guide will help to preserve and promote ìtried-and-trueî practices and concepts related to housing durability, and present them in a manner that can be used to cost-effectively design the durable homes of the future.
The research symposium in this issue of Cityscape (Volume 11, Number 2) examines Immigration.
The research symposium in this issue of Cityscape (Volume 11, Number 2) examines Regulatory Innovation And Affordable Housing.
The research symposium in this issue of Cityscape (Volume 11, Number 1) examines Lessons for the United states from asian nations.
The research symposium in this issue of Cityscape (Volume 10, Number 3) examines Homeownership Experience of Low-Income and Minority Households.
The research symposium in this issue of Cityscape (Volume 10, Number 2) examines Homeownership Experience of Low-Income and Minority Households.
The research symposium in this issue of Cityscape (Volume 10, Number 1) examines Policy Issues in Public and Assisted Housing.
The extent to which faith-based organizations (FBOs) have been involved in social service, community development, and housing programs is not well understood. This report draws on interviews and research of knowledgeable scholars and practitioners in community development, and summarizes the current state of knowledge, the policy conclusions, and the major questions that ensue. Key findings include an overview of the non-worship activities of FBOs that highlights the diversity of activities they have undertaken and offers insight into their organizational capacity. The report also compares what community development corporations have learned about requisites of effective community development practice with the organizational capacity of FBOS. The implications of these findings for policy and research opportunities are explored.
This detailed review of mortgage underwriting guidelines used by three of the most common sources of residential mortgage finance – Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) – finds that changes to standard products offered by these major participants over the last decade have addressed some of the barriers to homeownership for Hispanics. The review is not intended to compare the financial institutions' offerings or to rank them, but rather to highlight the products that are currently available to overcome barriers to homeownership for Hispanics and to understand where gaps remain in the types of products needed to address different barriers.
Federal legislation to support the development of transitional housing programs for homeless people (TH) was first introduced in 1986, and ultimately incorporated into the first Stewart B. McKinney Act in 1987 as part of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) Supportive Housing Program (SHP). HUD's division of Community Planning and Development has had responsibility for the SHP since 1989, when a new administration brought all the McKinney Act housing programs together within the new Office of Special Needs Assistance Programs, which manages and directs the program.
By 1996 there were about 4,400 transitional housing programs offering about 160,000 beds (Burt et al. 1999). By 2007 there were almost 7,300 transitional housing programs offering about 211,000 beds. About 53 percent of the TH beds reported in 2007 are designated for families (HUD 2008), creating a capacity to serve about 40,000 families at a time.
This manual is designed to assist manufacturers, retailers, setup crews, and homeowners to recognize and solve moisture problems in manufactured homes. It reviews the symptoms of typical problems, outlines preventive measures, and provides solutions pertinent to home design, manufacture, installation, operation, and maintenance.
The Prescriptive Method for Connecting Structural Insulated Panel Roofs to Concrete Wall Systems (Prescriptive Method) provides prescriptive requirements to facilitate the use of SIP roofs on concrete wall systems (such as poured concrete and insulated concrete form walls) for the construction of one- and two-family dwellings. By providing prescriptive provisions for the roof connections for typical concrete homes with SIP roof systems, the need for engineering can be reduced for most applications. The provisions in this document were developed by applying accepted engineering practices, standard test procedures and practical construction techniques. The provisions in this document comply with the loading requirements of the most recent U.S. model building codes at the time of publication. However, the users of this document should verify its compliance with local code requirements. The user is advised to refer to the applicable building code requirements where the provisions of this document are not applicable or where engineered design is called out.
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Quality Control for Rental Assistance Subsidy Determinations studies provide national estimates of the extent, severity, costs, and sources of rent errors in tenant subsidies for the PHA-administered Public Housing, Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher, and Moderate Rehabilitation programs; and the owner-administered Section 8, and Section 202 and Section 811 programs with Project Rental Assistance Contracts (PRAC) or Project Assistance Contracts (PAC). These programs account for nearly all of HUD's current housing assistance outlays administered by the Offices of Housing and Public and Indian Housing, as well as the large majority of units assisted by HUD. This study was designed to measure the extent of administrator income and rent determination error by housing providers. This study does not involve an audit of individual PHAs or projects; nor does it monitor the implementation of housing programs. Its focus is on identifying households where an error was made when calculating the amount of the household's rent; and providing nationally representative findings related to those errors.
An important factor in making the best use of our nation's housing stock is accurately assessing the condition, safety, usefulness, and rehabilitation potential of older residential buildings. The Residential Rehabilitation Inspection Guide provides step-by-step technical information for evaluating a residential building's site, exterior, interior, and structural, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC systems. First published by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in 1984 as the Guideline on Residential Building Systems Inspection, the guideline has found widespread use and acceptance among architects, engineers, builders, realtors, and preservationists.
Now, for the Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing (PATH) program, the guideline has been updated and expanded to include current assessment techniques and standards, information about additional building materials, and a broader coverage of haz-ardous substances and the effects of earthquakes, wind, and floods. HUD is pleased to reissue this important and time-tested publication, knowing that it will prove a valuable resource for preserving and reusing our nation's building stock.
This Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing research identifies the panelized wall systems currently available in the U.S. and international markets. The report describes their technical specifications, how they perform, and in what applications they are most used. The standard performance criteria that all panelized wall systems need to meet in order to integrate with existing methods of construction are described. The three areas within the wall panel market that were the focus of the research were systems types, code compliance, and performance measures. Research efforts included the development of a panelized system matrix, descriptions of various panel types, performance measures inherent in panelized systems, and areas of code compliance in panelized systems. The study concludes with a "Future Strategies Report," based on the research, on what direction HUD should take with future research into panelized systems.
This is the third volume of The Rehab Guide, a series of nine guidebooks to inform the design and construction industry of state-of-the-art materials and innovative practices in housing rehabilitation. The Rehab Guide focuses on building technology, materials, components, and techniques rather than projects such as adding a new room. Each volume features breakthrough materials, labor-saving tools, and cost-cutting practices.
Entitled The Rehab Guide: Roofs, the third volume, was developed as a part of the Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing (PATH). It covers the major roofing systems as well as protective strategies, energy and air filtration issues, roofing materials, and gutters and downspouts. It uses drawings and photographs to supplement written descriptions of several components of the rehabilitation of roofs.
For information on the other Rehab Guides in the series click here.
In recent years, there has been growing interest among different groups representing and serving persons with disabilities in providing more mainstream housing opportunities for this constituency. This research investigates the social and economic implications of project size in Section 811 and Section 202 (direct loan) projects for persons with disabilities, their residents, and the immediate neighborhoods. A congressional mandate requires that this study look specifically at the benefits and problems associated with providing Section 811 housing in projects with 7 or fewer units, 8 to 24 units, and more than 24 units; and the benefits and problems associated with providing housing for non-elderly persons with disabilities under the Section 202 (direct loan) program, in projects having 30 to 50 units, 51 to 80 units, 81 to 120 units, and more than 120 units. This report presents the study's findings.
The Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly program provides capital advances and project rental assistance under Section 202 of the Housing Act of 1959 (as amended), for housing projects serving elderly households. The Office of Policy Development and Research (PD&R) at the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has conducted a study to assess whether the program has been effective in meeting the needs of very low-income elderly Americans.
To break the cycle of reliance of government assistance, HUD's legislation includes a requirement that most public housing authorities (PHAs) offering the Housing Choice Voucher program develop action plans promoting family self-sufficiency (FSS) for client families. Avenues to family self-sufficiency include individual case management, education, employment, childcare and transportation, and a substantial delayed monetary incentive for families that achieve increases in earnings. PHAs' FSS plans rely on community partnerships through which these opportunities and services are made available to public housing and Housing Choice Voucher families. Then, in a contractual arrangement of up to five years, an individual family and the PHA jointly target goals, utilizing the support services arranged by the PHA that they believe will enable the family to attain economic self-sufficiency.
This study presents a descriptive profile of FSS program participants and FSS programs in terms of size across the country. Using site visits and 1996–2000 HUD administrative data, the study also reports FSS program outcomes and compares them with what changes occurred in similar non-FSS program participants during the same period.
From 2002–2007, Kle mann Commun cat on Group, Inc. (KCG) has conducted s x rounds of qual tat ve test ng on var ous consumer mortgage forms. The follow ng report summar zes each round of test ng. Round 1 of consumer test ng took place from December 9–13, 2002, and nvolved 45 part c pants n three geograph cally d verse c t es: Balt more, Maryland; B rm ngham, Alabama; and Ch cago, Ill no s. Test ng n Round 1 nvolved collect ng qual tat ve data to help nform the des gn of the Good Fa th Est mate form (GFE) and the Guaranteed Mortgage Package Agreement form (GMPA). Round 1 of test ng nvolved 45 demograph cally d verse part c pants.
The report is the twelfth in the series of worst case housing needs reports that have been issued by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) since 1991.
Worst case housing needs (WCN) are experienced by unassisted very low-income renters who either (1) pay more than one-half of their monthly income for rent; or (2) live in severely inadequate conditions, or both. HUD defines "very low-income" as below 50 percent of the local area median income (AMI) and "extremely low-income" as below 30 percent of AMI.
At the forefront of issues affecting today's housing market, foreclosed properties have become a significant problem, not only to local economies, but also to the aesthetics of the area. Moreover, middle- to low-income families continue to be priced out of the housing market while suitable housing units remain vacant. Local governments can enable productive reuse of these properties and simultaneously address the affordable housing crisis by creating public entities known as land banks to acquire, hold, and manage foreclosed properties. This report examines the concept of land banking and discusses barriers and solutions to the successful implementation of land banks. The report contains case studies from the Genesee County Land Bank Authority, the Baltimore City Land Bank, and the Atlanta/Fulton County Land Bank. Each case study provides a detailed description of the land banking programs and their effectiveness in revitalizing declining neighborhoods.
Transit-oriented development (TOD) is increasingly recognized as having the potential to improve the quality of life for American households, by creating vibrant, livable communities in proximity to transit. Improved access to transit can reduce transportation costs for working families and mitigate the negative impacts of automobile travel on the environment and the economy.
The need for a mix of housing types that is affordable to a range of family incomes in proximity to transit is an important policy concern at all levels of government, including the federal government. Through its policies and investments, the federal government can help shape opportunities at the regional and local level to meet the growing demand for affordable housing near transit.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funded this research for the purpose of developing an index of community needs. Such an index would take information from various public databases on different types of community problems and produce an overall assessment of a community's needs. As far back as 1976, HUD devoted its own staff resources to studying community needs and devising ways to synthesize various types of needs into an overall index of needs. HUD's efforts have been sporadic because the primary source of data on community needs has been the decennial censuses, and thus new information on needs has been available only at 10-year intervals. Now, the American Community Survey (ACS) will provide every year the information that previously was available only from the decennial censuses. The annual availability of information through the ACS makes a community needs index much more valuable for HUD.
This study addresses the characterization on a national basis of the regulatory cost barriers associated with land subdivision, specifically barriers to the subdivision of land that can be developed with single-family detached (SFD) dwellings. Previously, this issue has been addressed only on a very small geographic scale. Previous approaches have not been used to examine regulatory cost barriers at the national level.
As discussed in the Executive Summary, there are two distinguishable types of regulatory barriers for the subdivision of land to construct single family detached dwellings: - a) barriers which lengthen the time for approval of a subdivision and b) land development and site development standards which are more costly than a set of minimum "benchmark" standards selected to provide for public health and safety. Benchmark standards are intended to be appropriate for affordable single-family detached dwellings without adding costs that would not bring commensurate public health and safety benefits. There are added costs when land is developed according to standards larger than the benchmark standards and there may also be benefits associated with those larger standards. The question of whether the added benefits are commensurate with the added costs is dependent upon many considerations. The evaluation of whether some of the benefits may be commensurate with the costs is an area that merits considerable investigation but is outside the scope of this study.
Impact fees are one-time charges applied to new development. Impact fees are a form of land-use regulation designed to assure that communities maintain adequate levels of public facilities in the face of growth. The resulting revenue generated for the construction or expansion of new facilities is coincidental to their land-use regulatory (i.e. police power) purpose. Were it not for growth many communities would have adequate public facilities and often if growth is at a manageable pace adequate public facilities can be provided concurrent with the impacts of growth. To assure adequate public facilities, impact fees are assessed and dedicated principally for the provision of additional water and sewer systems, schools, libraries, parks and recreation facilities, and other infrastructure made necessary by the presence of new residents in the area. The funds collected cannot be used for operation and maintenance, repair, alteration, or replacement of capital facilities.
As will be noted, impact fees are not the best way in which to finance most public facilities from a variety of theoretical perspectives and instead taxes are. However, in the absence of the legal or political ability to raise taxes combined with a desire to maintain level-of-service quality in their communities, elected officials may see impact fees as a pragmatic solution.
Evidence Matters highlights research that connects the work of housing policymakers at all levels, as well as researchers, advocates, and industry members. Each quarterly issue contains evidence-based articles, resources, and a book review on research and practices organized around a policy-relevant theme.
Neighborhood revitalization, the theme of this issue (Winter 2011), intersects directly with HUD's mission — to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities, and quality, affordable homes for all.
The reports respond to a series of Congressional directives beginning with the FY 2001 HUD Appropriations Act. In that year, Congress directed HUD to assist communities in implementing local HMIS and required every jurisdiction to begin client-level reporting within three years. Senate Report 106-410 noted that HMIS data could be used to develop an unduplicated count of homeless people and to analyze the use and effectiveness of homelessness assistance services. To that end, Congress further charged HUD with collecting and analyzing HMIS data from a representative sample of communities in order to understand the nature and extent of homelessness across the nation.
Defensible Space has been misinterpreted, and occasionally even misused, to justify design features that have merely fenced public housing or low-income residents in or out of particular areas. In fact, Defensible Space theory encompasses a wide range of planning and design strategies that focus attention on reassigning the perceived ownership of residential space. Newman argues that when common spaces associated with highrise housing—such as community rooms and outdoor grounds—lack clear owners or are open to too many users, residents cannot assert responsibility for their safety and maintenance, and these places are left vulnerable to crime and vandalism. Newman advocates recreating a sense of ownership in these spaces by dividing and "assigning them to individuals and small groups to use and control as their own private areas." Once residents reestablish control of their environment, "the criminal is isolated because his turf is removed," writes Newman
This guide serves several functions. First, it helps decision makers in forming a strategy for sorting through foundation and support system alternatives and describes factors that affect the design and construction process. Second, it exposes the manufactured housing industry, buyers of manufactured homes and others interested in HUD-code housing to some of the more popular and practical ways of designing and installing manufactured home foundation or support systems. These designs are springboards for exploring alternative design approaches and solutions. Lastly, through the use of case studies, the guide examines how some practitioners are already pursuing new foundation and support system methods, hinting at the wealth and diversity of foundation solutions yet to come.
In response, HUD and the Steel Framing Alliance commissioned the NAHB Research Center to review existing details and develop a comprehensive list of hybrid wood and steel connection details. Details lacking engineering data were tested and the results incorporated into this Builder's Guide. By providing builders and framers with the necessary tools to construct hybrid wood and steel homes economically, HUD enhances housing affordability and quality through competition from new methods and materials.
In the previous edition, differences existed between the Act's accessibility requirements and the non-binding or recommended guidance provided by the manual. The revised manual clarifies what are requirements under the Act and what are HUD's technical assistance recommendations. The portions describing the requirements are clearly differentiated from the technical assistance recommendations.
This text is an initial effort to document and improve the unique structural engineering knowledge related to housing design and performance. It compliments current design practices and building code requirements with value-added technical information and guidance. In doing so, it supplements fundamental engineering principles with various technical resources and insights that focus on improving the understanding of conventional and engineered housing construction. Thus, it attempts to address deficiencies and inefficiencies in past housing construction practices and structural engineering concepts through a comprehensive design approach that draws on existing and innovative engineering technologies in a practical manner. The guide may be viewed as a "living document" subject to further improvement as the art and science of housing design evolves.
HUD sponsored this project to identify and describe community-wide approaches that reduce homelessness and achieve stable housing for the difficult-to-serve people who routinely live on the streets. In visiting communities with a commitment and a community-wide approach to reducing chronic homelessness, researchers were able to identify some effective strategies and indicators of success. This report documents strategies and measures of effectiveness in a way that will help other communities trying to address the problem of chronic street homelessness.
The research symposium in this issue of Cityscape (Volume 12, Number 3) examines perspectives and approaches to brownfield issues.
HUD USERP.O. Box 23268, Washington, DC 20026-3268Toll Free: 1-800-245-2691 TDD: 1-800-927-7589 Local: 1-202-708-3178 Fax: 1-202-708-9981


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The Bass Boost Chorus gives bass players something they have long deserved: a chorus that actually works. On bass. This pedal has been optimized to avoid the 'motion sickness' side-effects of traditional chorus effects. A key aspect of this design is the Detune control, which adjusts the pitch of the choral voices to create deep and lush chorus before you dial in any modulation. Put some sweet on your low with the Bass Boost Chorus. Bass Boost Chorus
The Roto Choir provides players with a hyper-realistic emulation of a rotating speaker cabinet in a compact pedal. Specially developed SansAmp technology recreates the complex interactions of both the rotating lower speaker and the treble horn. Even the tonality of the original tube power amp and mic are included. A powerful control section allows you to adjust all of these elements to create endlessly rich, multi-dimensional modulations. Whatever instrument you play, the Roto Choir will make it sing.
Roto Choir
Based on the lush analog chorus effects of the '70s, thisdesign incorporates cutting-edge performance and uniqueeffect combinations to create a throughly modern pedal.The comprehensive control array allows adjustment of everyaspect of the effect, including depth, speed, mix and tone.A Pre-Delay control adds delay to the chorus to producea huge range of tones, including flanging and doublercombination effects. When it's time to bliss out, hit the MultiVoice switch for a celestial ensemble-style effect.Boost Chorus
Boost D.L.A. Create everything from clean digital-style delays, to warm analog 'bucket brigade' repeats, to grungy tape echo. Tweak your heart out with the feature-packed controls, including Tap Tempo, Triplets and Trails functions, and a boost of up to 9dB. If your tone sounds D.O.A. bring it back to life with the D.L.A.
Boost R.V.B. From light shimmers to deep, swampy atmospheres, the R.V.B. emulates natural room ambiances, spring reverbs and vintage plate units. Add some retro audio-gunk with the Rumble control, engage the Trails function or add up to 9dB of clean boost for solos that pop.
Red Ripper Want something new in a bass fuzzbox? This wickedly dynamic pedal gets meaner the harder you play, shifting from enhanced lower harmonics to buzz-saw, higher harmonic distortions. The sinister R.I.P. control drives your tone from vintage fuzz to monolithic distortion, into Brassmaster-style octaver fuzz and Moogie-style synth tones. Bloody amazing.
Double Drive 3X with Private Stock Mod Prefer the even harmonic roar of a Class A power amp being pushed hard or the odd harmonic crunch of a Class A/B amp with the master volume dimed? How about both? How about both at once? With this 3-channel distortion pedal, you can use them separately or cascaded together for mammoth tones. You'll find even more aggressive tones, a tighter low end, and a wider Level taper with the 2011 Private Stock Mod.
Designed and Manufactured in the U.S.A. www.tech21nyc.com

subset: commoncrawl


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There are a lot of front mount-bike seats on the market. Most are available on line but you can not try them on your own bike. I found this one on Amazon that I like but was concerned about the geometry of my own bike to fit this device. This front mount seat was $99 and is not available anymore on amazon.
I then decided to make my own using only PVC pipes and zip ties.
The main pipe is 2 inches PVC pipe that I drilled at each extremities to fit the seat post and on the other side where the stem is. I used hole saw attached to a drill to make clean holes all the way through the pipe.
On the seat post |
On the stem |
I attached an old saddle to the main pipe by drilling little holes and using zip ties:
At the end, the PVC pipe is very sturdy and does not care about a 40 pounds kid seating on it. I did not put any handle for the passenger, I think it's not safe in case of a fall. it's too close to the chest.
Also, one downside with my version: it's not as good looking and It's not quick release, but I do not care.
The good side: it cost almost nothing to make it: $5 if you have to buy the pipes... and I feel very safe to ride with. But even if it looks safe, if you try your own version, I'm, in any case, NOT (thanks geembob) responsible for any injury that might occur...


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Doesn't look like much from the outside but once you get into the courtyard/room area it's quite nice. In a good location with a large variety of restaurants nearby and the on ramp to the I805 just next door for easy access to the highway system. The rooms are nothing to write home about but they are clean with fridge... More
- Also Known As:
- California Hotel
- California Hotel San Diego
- California Suites
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Orlando Kitchenette Hotels + Gay Friendly + i will go back
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"Great place to stay and great for kids. Be back next year
"This is the second visit to Orlando staying at the Sheraton Vistana resort. We have ... Read more"
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"hotel is good, but they need to provide better security for their guest cars. My Humm... Read more"
" First of all this hotel was the best. it was nice clean and quite. it had everything... Read more"
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"Huge villa, located just minutes away from Disney. They let us check in early, and l... Read more"
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Russell Swan of the Matsing Tribe is voted off during Tribal Council on the fourth episode of Survivor: Philippines, Wednesday. Photo: Monty Brinton/CBS© 2012 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.


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So, to ensure you get the most bang for your buck (and stay in style), we gathered these strand-saving tips to guarantee you won't walk away from your next appointment with a nasty, little case of salon-remorse.
1. Let it Air-Dry
NYC hair guru, Eva Scrivo, one time told us that the mark of a great haircut is that it looks good after it air-dries. And this makes sense (even though we do love post-trim blowouts). Skilled cutters can work with the natural texture of your hair to enhance its overall shape. If you find it's too hard to forgo hot tool treatments entirely, ask your stylist if you can split up your time slot, so she can work on other clients while you wait for your strands to dry.
2. Skip the Bangs
Unless your brow-skimming fringe is your signature 'do, think twice before opting for bangs this fall. Most of the best new hairstyles feature face-framing accents, like braids and side parts, that require longer hair around your mug to execute. Plus, clip-in bangs are making a serious comeback. Celebrity hairstylist, Orlando Pita, even used them to create the heavy fringes at Doo.Ri's fall show. As he pointed out to us, "The best thing about clip-in bangs is that you never need to trim them."
3. Put Away the Blackberry...
And iPad, and laptop. Cranking your neck to check work emails (slash play Angry Birds) only makes it harder for your stylist to keep your cut level. And with hairstyle trends, like pristine ponytails and structured layers, on the rise, you'll regret it later if your ends aren't evenly snipped.
4. Bring Current Magazine Pictures
By now, everyone's heard that you should bring inspiration hairstyle pictures to show your stylist. But few people actually do. "People think it can come across as insulting," Charles Baker Strahan, Leighton Meester's go-to hair guy, once dished to us. "But it's not. Photographs only help to explain something you might not be able to put to words." Of course, selecting the right photos is key to scoring a trendy cut, so only select photos from August 2011 issues and beyond (magazines start to preview fall trends in these books).
Read more Lazy Girl stories:
Lazy Girl Summer Beauty Rehab Guide
Lazy Girl Long Weekend Beauty Tricks
Lazy Girl Ways to Stay Summertime Sexy, Year-Round
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Clare County, Michigan, ranked last in its state in this nationwide assessment. Here's how local officials developed the tools and information to help improve the health of county citizens.
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Nurse-Family Partnership programs such as Kane Kares help change the lives of vulnerable first-time mothers and their babies through ongoing home visits from registered nurses.
August 8, 2011 | Video, Story
Aligning Forces for Quality takes root in Humboldt County, Calif.


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Australian actress Toni Collette was virtually unknown outside of the Sydney theater scene when she shot to international fame at age 22 with a starring role as an Abba-loving, overweight misfit who g...
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BirthDate BirthPlace |
Blacktown, New South Wales, AU |
Name |
Credit |
credited As |
Year | Sort Order |
Dinner with Friends | Actor | Beth | 1 | |
Tsunami: The Aftermath | Actor | Kathy Graham | 1 | |
Dirty Deeds | Actor | Sharon Ryan | 1 | |
Japanese Story | Actor | Sandy | 1 | |
Foster | Actor | Zooey | 1 | |
Clockwatchers | Actor | Iris | 1 | |
Mental | Actor | Shaz | 1 | |
The Black Balloon | Actor | Maggie | 1 | |
Muriel's Wedding | Actor | Muriel Heslop | 1 | |
Hostages (2012-2013) | Actor | Dr. Ellen Sanders | 2012 | 1 |
United States of Tara (2007-2010) | Actor | Tara Gregson | 2007 | 1 |
Hotel Splendide | Actor | Kath | 1 | |
A Long Way Down | Actor | Maureen | 1 | |
Jesus Henry Christ | Actor | Patricia Herman | 1 | |
Murderous Intent | Actor | Sally Rowe | 1 | |
Diana & Me | Actor | Diana Spencer | 1 | |
The Dead Girl | Actor | Arden | 1 | |
In Her Shoes | Actor | Rose Feller | 1 | |
The Way, Way Back | Actor | Pam | 1 | |
The Boys | Actor | Michelle | 1 | |
Hey Hey It's Esther Blueburger | Actor | Mary | 1 | |
8 1/2 Women | Actor | Griselda | 1 | |
Connie and Carla | Actor | Carla | 1 | |
The Night Listener | Actor | Donna D. Logand | 1 | |
Emma | Actor | Harriet | 1 | |
Towelhead | Actor | Melina Hines | 1 | |
The Sixth Sense | Actor | Lynn Sear | 1 | |
Mary and Max | Voice | Mary | 1000007 | |
Little Miss Sunshine | Actor | Sheryl | 1 | |
Fright Night | Actor | Jane Brewster | 1 | |
Changing Lanes | Actor | Michelle | 1 | |
Cosi | Actor | Julie | 1 | |
The Last Shot | Actor | Emily French | 1 | |
Velvet Goldmine | Actor | Mandy Slade | 1 | |
Evening | Actor | Nina Mars | 1 | |
Dinner With Friends (1999-2000) | Actor | Beth | 1999 | 1 |
Lilian's Story | Actor | Young Lilian | 1 | |
The James Gang | Actor | Julia Armstrong | 1 | |
The Pallbearer | Actor | Cynthia | 1 | |
Spotswood | Actor | Wendy | 1 | |
Enough Said | Actor | Sarah | 1 | |
About a Boy | Actor | Fiona | 1 | |
The Magic Pudding | Voice | of Meg Bluegum | 1000009 | |
Lucky Them | Actor | Ellie Klug | 1 | |
Hitchcock | Actor | Peggy | 1 | |
Hector and the Search for Happiness | Actor | n/a | 1 | |
The Hours | Actor | Kitty | 1 | |
Shaft | Actor | Diane Palmieri | 1 | |
Arabian Knight | Voice | of Nurse | 1000011 | |
Arabian Knight | Voice | of Witch | 1000012 | |
2007 BRIT Awards (2005-2006) | Actor | Presenter | 2005 | 1 |
Tsunami, The Aftermath (2005-2006) | Actor | Kathy Graham | 2005 | 1 |
Season: 3 | Co-Executive Producer | n/a | 3000009 | |
Hey Hey It's Esther Blueburger | Executive Producer | n/a | 3000010 | |
Murderous Intent | Executive Producer | n/a | 3000011 | |
The Black Balloon | Co-Executive Producer | n/a | 3000012 |
Title |
Co-starred with Gwyneth Paltrow in "Emma"; directed by Douglas McGrath |
Played a struggling single mother opposite Hugh Grant in the comedy "About a Boy"; received a BAFTA nomination for Best Actress in a Supporting Role |
Co-starred with Cameron Diaz in drama feature "In Her Shoes," based on the book of the same name by Jennifer Weiner |
Co-starred as Beth, a woman facing the end of her marriage, in the HBO adaptation of the Pulitzer-winning play "Dinner With Friends" |
Essayed lead role of Diana Spencer in Australian film "Diana and Me" |
Played a wife and mother of two with Dissociative Identity Disorder on Showtime series "United States of Tara"; earned SAG (2009) and Emmy (2010) nominations for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series |
Co-starred with Nia Vardalos in the comedy "Connie and Carla"; writtten by Nia Vardalos and directed by Michael Lembeck |
Won international attention as the title character in Australian comedy "Muriel's Wedding"; gained 40 pounds for the role |
Co-starred in Alan Ball's directorial debut "Towelhead" |
Portrayed the young version of the title character in the Australian film "Lilian's Story" |
Attended college for a year and a half; left to work on the Sydney stage |
Co-starred with Colin Farrell in remake of 1985 horror "Fright Night' |
Raised in Blacktown, a suburb of Sydney, Australia |
Delivered strong supporting turn in the Australian film "The Boys" |
Made performing debut at age 14 in a school production of "Godspell" |
Cast in Michael Cunningham's film adaptation of Susan Minot's novel "Evening" |
Co-starred with Robin Williams in an adaptation of Armistead Maupin's novel "The Night Listener" |
Co-starred with Ben Affleck and Samuel L. Jackson in "Changing Lanes" |
Feature acting debut, "Spotswood/The Efficiency Expert" |
Cast in biographical drama "Hitchcock," starring Anthony Hopkins |
Appeared in John Singleton's remake of "Shaft" |
Released debut album Beautiful Awkward Pictures, recorded with her band The Finish |
Made Broadway debut in "The Wild Party," a musical by Michael John LaChiusa and George C. Wolfe; received Tony nomination as Actress in a Musical |
Featured in "Velvet Goldmine" as the wife of a glam rocker played by Jonathan Rhys Meyers |
Left school to pursue an acting career |
Worked with the Australian Theatre for Young People |
Starred as a geologist in "Japanese Story" |
Appeared as a 1950s housewife troubled by secrets in "The Hours" |
Co-starred as the mother of a psychic child in "The Sixth Sense"; received Oscar nomination as Best Supporting Actress |
Played an aid worker in "Tsunami: The Aftermath," a two-part HBO/BBC joint production that dramatized events following the 2004 tsunami in Asia; received Golden Globe and Emmy nominations for Best Supporting Actress in a Mini-Series |
Acted in the Australian TV series "A Country Practice" |
Co-starred with Greg Kinnear and Steve Carell in hit comedy "Little Miss Sunshine"; received Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress in a Comedy or Musical |
Co-starred as a narcissistic and manipulative English bombshell starlet in "The Last Shot" |
Antonia "Toni" Collette was born on Nov. 1, 1972, and raised in Blacktown, a suburb of Sydney, Australia. As a girl, she loved to sing and first did so publicly in a production of "Godspell" when she was 14 years old. Two years later, she left school to study musical theater full time with the Australian Theatre for Young People. She spent a year and a half attending college at the prestigious National Institute of Dramatic Art, but dropped out when she got the opportunity to go pro with a major role in a Sydney stage production of "Uncle Vanya." Collette expanded into guest appearances on Aussie TV shows and landed her first film role as a tomboyish factory worker in the comedy "Spotswood" (1992) when she was 20 years old. Not long afterward, she auditioned for writer-director P.J. Hogan and declared "I AM Muriel!" When Hogan resisted casting her because she was too thin, the determined newcomer gained 40 pounds, landed the role, and gave an internationally renowned breakout performance as a post-adolescent ugly duckling who conquers her insecurities with the help of a firecracker best friend (Rachel Griffiths). In addition to earning Collette an Australian Film Institute Best Actress Award, "Muriel's Wedding" enjoyed a sizeable stateside audience and transformed the young actress into a hot commodity on the international scene.
Collette stayed close to home for her follow-up features, offering a moving interpretation of a young woman confined to an institution by her cruel father in "Lilian's Story" (1995), and playing suitably tough as an incarcerated drug addict with a sweet singing voice in the comedy "Cosi" (1996). She answered Hollywood's call and made her American film debut in a forgettable "girlfriend" role in the David Schwimmer vehicle "The Pallbearer" (1996) before traveling to England to undertake the role of Harriet Smith, the sympathetic protégé of Jane Austen's "Emma" (1996), in Douglas McGrath's winning screen adaptation. The following year, indie film audiences enjoyed Collette's portrayal of a timid temp in the ensemble send-up of corporate life, "Clockwatchers" (1997). She turned around to play a British detective trailing jewel thieves in "The James Gang" (1997), and in one of her oddest roles, played an Australian named Diana Spencer who identifies with the British princess of the same name in "Diana and Me" (1997).
Further exploring the territory of women grappling with their own identity, Collette was captivating in the role of an American wife of a glam rock singer who recreates herself as a British party girl in Todd Haynes' "Velvet Goldmine" (1998). Collette bravely threw herself into the part and delivered a layered and complex portrait of a woman who loses a part of herself when her husband's career comes to an abrupt end. Yet another unconventional role followed, as she was cast as a nun who works in a brothel in "8 1/2 Women" (1999), from celebrated director Peter Greenaway. The chameleon-like actress whose short career had showcased a wide offering of accents, energies and personal styles, hit it big with her first American blockbuster, "The Sixth Sense" (1999). Her richly nuanced portrayal of a struggling single mother of a psychic child (Haley Joel Osment) successfully conveyed both the character's nonjudgmental stance, as well as her feelings of inadequacy, garnering her a Best Supporting Actress Oscar nomination.
After a long absence from musical theater, Collette returned to the stage - Broadway no less - to star as Queenie, a 1920s vaudeville performer who throws "The Wild Party." Revealing her singing and dancing abilities, Collette was a revelation. The play went on to earn a Tony nomination for Best Musical. While she was lighting up the Great White Way, she was also seen in John Singleton's remake of "Shaft" (2000). By now, Collette was casually straddling the line between star, character actress and supporting player, which certainly deserved artistic praise but unfortunately worked against her when she auditioned for the screen adaptation of "Chicago" (2002), where her powerhouse audition was bypassed for the bigger name recognition of Renee Zellweger. Nonplussed, the steadily working actress had a memorable turn as a wife in the midst of a marital breakdown in the HBO telepic "Dinner With Friends" (2001), added some emotional support as Ben Affleck's long-suffering gal Friday in the hit "Changing Lanes" (2002), and was mesmerizing as a 1950s woman suffering with an inability to give birth in the highly acclaimed "The Hours" (2002).
The 2002 comedy "About a Boy," based on Nick Hornby's best-selling novel - which gave Collette her largest profile role since "Sixth Sense" - provided her to opportunity to knock it out of the park as a chronically depressed and single earth-mother struggling to raise a precocious but geeky son (Nicholas Hoult). Collette handled the unusual character - who teetered between confident self-righteousness and suicidal despair - with an expert blend of humor and insight. She went on receive glowing reviews and an Australia Film Institute Award for Best Leading Actress for playing a geologist who becomes entangled with an Asian businessman in the Aussie indie, "Japanese Story" (2003), and was a welcome presence in the underappreciated comedy "The Last Shot" (2004), playing opposite Matthew Broderick and Alec Baldwin. Nia Vardalos' "Connie & Carla" (2004) was a comedic misfire, but Collette fared much better when paired with co-star Cameron Diaz in director Curtis Hanson's dramedy, "In Her Shoes" (2005), which cast the actresses as tight-knit but polar opposite sisters. Collette played the responsible attorney with low self-esteem and Diaz the reckless, sexy party girl. For her work in the Hanson film, Collette walked off with an Australian Film Institute nod for Best Leading actress.
In 2006, Collette experienced the full run of Hollywood experiences with starring roles in both a failed big budget thriller and an indie-turned-sleeper hit. In "The Night Listener" (2006), a well-received but little seen psychological thriller starring Robin Williams as a late-night radio host, Collette played a mother who fakes ailments for attention. The $8 million dollar independent comedy "Little Miss Sunshine" (2006) was released with little fanfare after emerging from the 2006 Sundance Film Festival, and its even blend of quirk and heart went on to earn over $100 million dollars as the box office surprise of the year. The hilarious black comedy revolved around the cross-country shenanigans of a dysfunctional family driving their six-year-old daughter to a beauty pageant. Collette gave a Golden Globe-nominated performance as an out-of-her-wits wife and mother fed up with her husband's (Greg Kinnear) pipedreams of becoming a famous inspirational speaker, and her recently spurned, suicidal brother (Steve Carell), a gay Proust scholar.
Collette found herself double nominated at the Golden Globes the following year, with a second nod for her co-starring role as a levelheaded aid worker in "Tsunami, the Aftermath" (HBO, 2006), a heart-wrenching look at the 2004 devastating tidal wave that destroyed large portions of Thailand and South Asia. She was also recognized with her first Emmy award nomination for the TV film and further expanded her artistic offerings with the release of her first album, Beautiful Awkward Pictures (2006). Collette remained firmly planted in the independent film world that continued to offer such varied and creative opportunities, appearing in the Independent Spirit Award Best Picture nominee, "The Dead Girl" (2006), as a long-suffering caretaker of an elderly mother, and in the sentimental adaptation of Susan Minot's "Evening" (2007). In 2007, Collette was tapped by offbeat writer-director Alan Ball for a supporting role in "Towelhead," where she played neighbor and confidante to an Arab-American teen girl adjusting to a new life in Houston, TX.
The Australian actress returned to Australian cinema to play very different mums in a pair of well-received, teen-centered light dramas, "The Black Balloon" (2008) and "Hey Hey It's Esther Blueburger" (2008). Later that year, the Showtime original comedy series "The United States of Tara," about a woman with multiple personalities, proved to be the perfect small screen vehicle for a woman known for inhabiting wildly diverse characters. The highly anticipated series written by famed "Juno" (2008) scribe Diablo Cody and produced by Steven Spielberg, found Collette flip-flopping between an aggressive male biker, a promiscuous teenage girl, and a Martha Stewart-like homemaker, among other identities. Her darkly comic portrayal of a multi-personality mother earned Collette an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series, which she promptly won in 2009. "Wow, this is insanely confronting," said a beaming Collette before thanking series creator Diablo Cody. The following year, Collette was nominated for a second Emmy for her role in "Tara," as well as a Golden Globe nod for Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Comedy or Musical. Unfortunately, the series was canceled in 2011 following its third season. Back on the big screen, she played the single mother of a socially inept son (Anton Yelchin) who becomes the target of a vampire (Colin Farrell) in the horror comedy "Fright Night" (2011). She was next cast in the highly anticipated biopic, "Hitchcock" (2012), which focused on the Master's (Anthony Hopkins) turbulent production of "Psycho" (1960). The film also starred Helen Mirren as Hitch's wife and collaborator Alma Reville, Scarlett Johansson as Janet Leigh and James D'Arcy as Anthony Perkins.
Name | Role | Comments |
Bob Collette | Father | |
Judy Collette | Mother | |
Ben Collette | Brother | Born 1981 |
Christopher Collette | Brother | Born March 1976 |
Dave Galafassi | Husband | Married Jan. 11, 2003 in a Buddhist ceremony near Sydney, Australia |
Sage Galafassi | Daughter | Born Jan. 9, 2008; father, Dave Galafassi |
Arlo Galafassi | Son | Born April 22, 2011; father, Dave Galafassi |
Jonathan Rhys Meyers | Companion | Appeared together in "Velvet Goldmine" (1998); Dated for one year; No longer together |
Name |
National Institute of Dramatic Art |
Notes |
"I'd like to study iridology. It's a form of holistic medicine where you look into a person's eye and you can tell exactly how they're functioning inside. I find that just amazing." - Collette to New York, May 11, 1998 |
"I don't understand why I do what I do. I don't understand why I act anymore. But I do know that I love it, and that I find it really interesting and satisfying to enter into other worlds and explore different ways of thinking. If that makes me an exhibitionist, then fine. I don't think of it like that, I can't see it like that, but I totally understand why you would say that." - Collette quoted in Vogue Australia, August 1998 |
"I pretty much try to work on films that I believe in and that really resonate with me in a very real place. I've never had a game plan. I'm just trying to do good work and keep it interesting for myself, and work with inspirational people. The luxury of working in the arts is that you don't have to go to the office everyday. There is a lot of variation involved so I really like to vary it and play different roles." - Collette in Venice magazine, February 2004 |
Affiliations |
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