Affordable Housing in Southern MD

mrs potts · 03-20-2002, 10:34 AM

Have you noticed that new houses are now costing over $250,000 and in some places, over $350,000? #What is a person to do if he/she only makes minimum wage and has children? :question: No wonder our shelters are overflowing at the seams...if you aren't military - Forget it!

What are your thoughts? :question: :question:

voter · 03-20-2002, 11:38 AM

And the price will only go up if you have to buy 20 acres of land.  They'll tell you to buy a used home or get the hell out of SMC.  SMC will soon be the land of the rich and the few people that can stay will be happy they helped make it that way until someone with more money forces them out.

It's the haves controlling the have-nots.  

It's economic evolution.  We are evolving into being rich snobs that believe we know what people should have and do and look like. We are smarter then the neighbors and they should listen to us or we will drive up their assets and force them to move because they don't make as much as we.

What's your name? do you have any stuff in your yard that we can call an eyesore.  Damit boy you left your bicycle in the front yard and now mommy and daddy will have to sell the farm to pay a fine because you could not follow the rules.
When are you going to learn that Mrs. Socialist down the street likes it clean around here?  

It's funny.  I bet the same people that get disgusted at driving by a neighborhood will preach about not judging people for what they look like and they will complain about how bad houses look and suggest somthing must be done to stop this.

mrs potts · 03-20-2002, 11:46 AM

AGREE! #I grew up in SMD, but now I am embarrassed to call SMD "home". #My husband and I are just waiting until we can get things in order so we can get OUT! #I don't want my daughter to grow up thinking there is something wrong with her just because she happens to live in a TH...

Who needs all that house anyway??? #What are we trying to prove? #WE buy bigger houses, bigger vehicles, multiple vehicles and live on credit and meanwhile, our planet EARTH suffers and dies. #When is it going to end? #Why force the 'little man' out since the RICH still like to go to MCD's! #Someone needs to live and work in the county!!

*Ken King* ^(Premo) · 03-20-2002, 12:16 PM

Mrs. Potts,

Prices all over the nation are rising and I still feel you can get a better deal at times here then in other areas, granted not all the time but for the most part I would say we are very much aligned with this region and a lot less expensive then Northern Virginia or the suburbs of the metro area (we don’t even want to talk about places like California where housing prices are absurdly high). #You ask, “What is a person to do if he/she only makes minimum wage and has children?” #I would say improve your education and apply to get a better job. #At minimum wages you would be hard pressed to find anything to rent much less buy. #Also if you can enlighten me as to your comment regarding the military as I am somewhat confused by your meaning. #Are you implying that just because you are in the military you can afford a $250,000 – $300,000 home? #Unless the pay has changed dramatically in the past few weeks very few, if any, military can afford homes in that price range, even with the entitlements that they get for housing. #I think if there are military buying houses in that price range it is due to multiple incomes being earned within the family and the non-military person is making big money.

I see it as inevitable that as time goes on, and available land becomes more scarce, those prices will continue to increase. #The population of the US and the world is still growing and as long as that happens owning a piece of land will continue to be more and more expensive. #It is all a process of supply and demand.

mrs potts · 03-20-2002, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Ken King on 12:16 pm on Mar. 20, 2002[br]Mrs. Potts,

Are you implying that just because you are in the military you can afford a $250,000 – $300,000 home? #Unless the pay has changed dramatically in the past few weeks very few, if any, military can afford homes in that price range, even with the entitlements that they get for housing. #

Regarding my military quote - I meant for jobs....if you are in the military or a civilian working on base, you have a better chance of finding a job. #What are the other options is SMD? #Retail and restaurants...there are few industry-related organizations located in SMD that provide jobs. #Many people commute out of the county to work in VA or DC. #If you don't have a vehicle, your options are SEVERELY limited! #Metro is not accessible here and I don't see it as being a viable solution in the future. #What is next? #It is a heck of a long walk to DC!

Do you know how difficult it is to get an eduation in this county? # There are not enough teachers and qualified teachers leave our counties because the pay is low and they cannot afford to live in the county.

How do you respond to the child who lives in a shack without running water and electricity...how is s/he supposed to get his homework done once it has gotten dark? #Believe it or not, there are many, many people living in the counties (Charles, Calvert and St. Mary's) who live in trailers without water and electricity! #Please do NOT respond that the parent(s) can access the Dept. of Social Services and Governmental benefits...that is another issue...

I just do not understand why people have to live in mansion-sized homes. #Historically, it was how many children you had that showed your wealth. #Today, it is how big your house is and how many cars you own...This materialism scares the heck out of me.

vraiblonde · 03-20-2002, 01:17 PM

As a person who lives in a rather large home (6 bedrooms, 4 baths, two stories with a full basement) I can tell you that we live in a "mansion" <i>because we can</i>.  Last time I looked, this was still America, Land of the Free, and if we wanted to live in a large house and could afford it, there was nothing to stand in our way.

It's unfortunate that people have children they can't provide for, but why should I be penalized for it?  It has been my experience that there are plenty of parents in St. Mary's County that do not have necessities for their children, such as warm clothing and nourishing food.  However, I notice they still have plenty of money for beer and cigarettes so maybe that's the problem that needs to be addressed, not people who can afford to live in large homes.

*Christy* ^(Premo) · 03-20-2002, 01:32 PM

Mrs. Potts, so what you are trying to say is that since you have chosen a life path that hasn't afforded you with a large income or the ability to "live in a mansion", the rest of us should feel guilty or somehow have the responsibility to live in a townhouse or trailor so your kids won't feel bad? #Let me also ask you this. #Where do you think the money comes from to pay for public transportation and "options" for low income households? #I'll tell you where it comes from. #It comes from me, and every other "wealthy" individual who pay outrageous taxes #to fund program after program to make life easier for those who "need more options". #

You know, I don't mean to bust on you, but I am sooooo tired of #the menatility that folks have these days that somehow they are entitled to a good paying job, transportation to that job, a standard of living adequate to those around you..... the list goes on. #

My husband and I have both come from very poor backgrounds so before you jump in and tell me that I have no way of understanding what it is like, I indeed do. #The difference is, I was never raised to feel that I was entitled to anything other than an opportunity, and that opportunity came from what I chose to do with my life, and that there would never be anyone there to hand it to me and if they were, to refuse it because it simply wasn't right to take handouts from anyone. #

I am 31 years old and I am very proud of the life I've made for myself and my family. #I would also be very happy if what I did paid minimum wage, because it's not about money, it's about self respect and not relying on anybody to provide for me or my family. #

There is absolutely nothing wrong with being poor. #There is something wrong with expecting the rest of us to make being poor a little less inconvenient for you. #

And also, I do know there are jobs out the wazoo in Southern MD, even for those with only a High School diploma or GED. #Making above minimum wage.

(Edited by Christy at 1:35 pm on Mar. 20, 2002)

(Edited by Christy at 1:36 pm on Mar. 20, 2002)

PmoneyandTT · 03-20-2002, 01:38 PM

the house thing is such over-rated.. I see re-sale homes selling for as little as $120-$130.. A basic ranch style home.. Please - anywhere in the country you are going to pay a pretty penny.. Unless you live in Mississippi - and your going to have to deal with the wages down there.. Like King Ken said before - excuses get you no where.. Educate yourself.. If your that broke - then you can practically go to school for free..

Excuses - keep you broke-uneducated- and disguised..

Use - candles..

Running water -  if you can't afford those necessities.. How are you on the computer?  The military may get a VHA - and dependant cost.. They have a chart that the military uses - depending on where you live.. Dependant cost - usually stays the same.. The VHA can vary from state to state.. On top of their base pay and any rations - or if they are pilots they will get extra.. But really it depends on how much you are in debt and how good a saver you have been in the past.. A E-5 can easily pay $900 rent/note.. More then likely his wife will work and they don't owe alot of debt.. But if they are single.. They usually have roomates or stay on base.. There are plently of jobs in SOMD - if you are a IT person - or work for the federal government.. I work in DC - and I commute on the keller bus.. I have no problems with the commute.. Also alot of people have retired from the military - so they have a retire paycheck - and they work for the government.. My mother doesn't have to work because of this.. And my parents have a big house - 4 cars - and they don't complain not one bit.. I am getting a new house built - and my options and everything will be $180 - so Im not complaining..

*cattitude* ^(Premo) · 03-20-2002, 01:42 PM

Ken, Vrai and Christy:

DITTO!!!!!!!!!!!

*RoseRed* ^(Premo) · 03-20-2002, 02:01 PM

Me too ~ me too!

I think that your life is what you make of it, not what people give you.

03-20-2002, 10:34 AM	#1 (permalink)
mrs potts Member Member Since: Feb 2002 Location: Here - but wishing I was somewhere else. Posts: 121	Have you noticed that new houses are now costing over $250,000 and in some places, over $350,000? #What is a person to do if he/she only makes minimum wage and has children? :question: No wonder our shelters are overflowing at the seams...if you aren't military - Forget it! What are your thoughts? :question: :question: __________________ Rain, rain, go away, Come again another day. - James Howell, Proverbs (1659)
	[ Reply w/Quote ]

03-20-2002, 11:38 AM	#2 (permalink)
voter Member Member Since: May 2001 Location: South of the Base Posts: 37	And the price will only go up if you have to buy 20 acres of land.  They'll tell you to buy a used home or get the hell out of SMC.  SMC will soon be the land of the rich and the few people that can stay will be happy they helped make it that way until someone with more money forces them out. It's the haves controlling the have-nots.   It's economic evolution.  We are evolving into being rich snobs that believe we know what people should have and do and look like. We are smarter then the neighbors and they should listen to us or we will drive up their assets and force them to move because they don't make as much as we. What's your name? do you have any stuff in your yard that we can call an eyesore.  Damit boy you left your bicycle in the front yard and now mommy and daddy will have to sell the farm to pay a fine because you could not follow the rules. When are you going to learn that Mrs. Socialist down the street likes it clean around here?   It's funny.  I bet the same people that get disgusted at driving by a neighborhood will preach about not judging people for what they look like and they will complain about how bad houses look and suggest somthing must be done to stop this.
	[ Reply w/Quote ]

03-20-2002, 11:46 AM	#3 (permalink)
mrs potts Member Member Since: Feb 2002 Location: Here - but wishing I was somewhere else. Posts: 121	AGREE! #I grew up in SMD, but now I am embarrassed to call SMD "home". #My husband and I are just waiting until we can get things in order so we can get OUT! #I don't want my daughter to grow up thinking there is something wrong with her just because she happens to live in a TH... Who needs all that house anyway??? #What are we trying to prove? #WE buy bigger houses, bigger vehicles, multiple vehicles and live on credit and meanwhile, our planet EARTH suffers and dies. #When is it going to end? #Why force the 'little man' out since the RICH still like to go to MCD's! #Someone needs to live and work in the county!! __________________ Rain, rain, go away, Come again another day. - James Howell, Proverbs (1659)
	[ Reply w/Quote ]

03-20-2002, 12:16 PM	#4 (permalink)
Ken King ^(Premo) Oldtimer Member Since: Feb 2001 Location: On the road again Posts: 12,554	Mrs. Potts, Prices all over the nation are rising and I still feel you can get a better deal at times here then in other areas, granted not all the time but for the most part I would say we are very much aligned with this region and a lot less expensive then Northern Virginia or the suburbs of the metro area (we don’t even want to talk about places like California where housing prices are absurdly high). #You ask, “What is a person to do if he/she only makes minimum wage and has children?” #I would say improve your education and apply to get a better job. #At minimum wages you would be hard pressed to find anything to rent much less buy. #Also if you can enlighten me as to your comment regarding the military as I am somewhat confused by your meaning. #Are you implying that just because you are in the military you can afford a $250,000 – $300,000 home? #Unless the pay has changed dramatically in the past few weeks very few, if any, military can afford homes in that price range, even with the entitlements that they get for housing. #I think if there are military buying houses in that price range it is due to multiple incomes being earned within the family and the non-military person is making big money. I see it as inevitable that as time goes on, and available land becomes more scarce, those prices will continue to increase. #The population of the US and the world is still growing and as long as that happens owning a piece of land will continue to be more and more expensive. #It is all a process of supply and demand. __________________ No more Mr. Nice Guy.
	[ Reply w/Quote ]

03-20-2002, 01:17 PM	#6 (permalink)
vraiblonde Boring by Design Member Since: Mar 2001 Location: "Cynical" is my middle name Posts: 52,266	As a person who lives in a rather large home (6 bedrooms, 4 baths, two stories with a full basement) I can tell you that we live in a "mansion" <i>because we can</i>.  Last time I looked, this was still America, Land of the Free, and if we wanted to live in a large house and could afford it, there was nothing to stand in our way. It's unfortunate that people have children they can't provide for, but why should I be penalized for it?  It has been my experience that there are plenty of parents in St. Mary's County that do not have necessities for their children, such as warm clothing and nourishing food.  However, I notice they still have plenty of money for beer and cigarettes so maybe that's the problem that needs to be addressed, not people who can afford to live in large homes. __________________ Girls don't like boys, girls like cars and money.
	[ Reply w/Quote ]


\| Write Us \| Help \| Sponsors \| Classifieds \| Employment \| Forums \| MarketPlace \| Calendar \| Headlines \| Announcements \| Weather \| More... \|

03-20-2002, 01:32 PM	#7 (permalink)
Christy ^(Premo) Resistance is Futile Member Since: Feb 2001 Location: The Collective Posts: 18,123	Mrs. Potts, so what you are trying to say is that since you have chosen a life path that hasn't afforded you with a large income or the ability to "live in a mansion", the rest of us should feel guilty or somehow have the responsibility to live in a townhouse or trailor so your kids won't feel bad? #Let me also ask you this. #Where do you think the money comes from to pay for public transportation and "options" for low income households? #I'll tell you where it comes from. #It comes from me, and every other "wealthy" individual who pay outrageous taxes #to fund program after program to make life easier for those who "need more options". # You know, I don't mean to bust on you, but I am sooooo tired of #the menatility that folks have these days that somehow they are entitled to a good paying job, transportation to that job, a standard of living adequate to those around you..... the list goes on. # My husband and I have both come from very poor backgrounds so before you jump in and tell me that I have no way of understanding what it is like, I indeed do. #The difference is, I was never raised to feel that I was entitled to anything other than an opportunity, and that opportunity came from what I chose to do with my life, and that there would never be anyone there to hand it to me and if they were, to refuse it because it simply wasn't right to take handouts from anyone. # I am 31 years old and I am very proud of the life I've made for myself and my family. #I would also be very happy if what I did paid minimum wage, because it's not about money, it's about self respect and not relying on anybody to provide for me or my family. # There is absolutely nothing wrong with being poor. #There is something wrong with expecting the rest of us to make being poor a little less inconvenient for you. # And also, I do know there are jobs out the wazoo in Southern MD, even for those with only a High School diploma or GED. #Making above minimum wage. (Edited by Christy at 1:35 pm on Mar. 20, 2002) (Edited by Christy at 1:36 pm on Mar. 20, 2002) __________________ Darling, if you want to talk bollocks and discover the meaning of life, you're better off downing a bottle of whiskey. At least that way, you're unconscious by the time you start to take yourself seriously. ......Patsy Stone ABFAB Goddess It isn't difficult to make a mountain out of a molehill, just add a little dirt.
	[ Reply w/Quote ]

03-20-2002, 01:38 PM	#8 (permalink)
PmoneyandTT One Of The Gang Member Since: Jul 2001 Location: In a big White house Posts: 289	the house thing is such over-rated.. I see re-sale homes selling for as little as $120-$130.. A basic ranch style home.. Please - anywhere in the country you are going to pay a pretty penny.. Unless you live in Mississippi - and your going to have to deal with the wages down there.. Like King Ken said before - excuses get you no where.. Educate yourself.. If your that broke - then you can practically go to school for free.. Excuses - keep you broke-uneducated- and disguised.. Use - candles.. Running water -  if you can't afford those necessities.. How are you on the computer?  The military may get a VHA - and dependant cost.. They have a chart that the military uses - depending on where you live.. Dependant cost - usually stays the same.. The VHA can vary from state to state.. On top of their base pay and any rations - or if they are pilots they will get extra.. But really it depends on how much you are in debt and how good a saver you have been in the past.. A E-5 can easily pay $900 rent/note.. More then likely his wife will work and they don't owe alot of debt.. But if they are single.. They usually have roomates or stay on base.. There are plently of jobs in SOMD - if you are a IT person - or work for the federal government.. I work in DC - and I commute on the keller bus.. I have no problems with the commute.. Also alot of people have retired from the military - so they have a retire paycheck - and they work for the government.. My mother doesn't have to work because of this.. And my parents have a big house - 4 cars - and they don't complain not one bit.. I am getting a new house built - and my options and everything will be $180 - so Im not complaining..
	[ Reply w/Quote ]

03-20-2002, 01:42 PM	#9 (permalink)
cattitude ^(Premo) My Sweetest Boy Member Since: Mar 2002 Posts: 32,450	Ken, Vrai and Christy: DITTO!!!!!!!!!!! __________________ The fate of animals is of greater importance to me than the fear of appearing ridiculous; it is indissolubly connected with the fate of men. - Emile Zola Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are. - John Wooden
	[ Reply w/Quote ]

03-20-2002, 02:01 PM	#10 (permalink)
RoseRed ^(Premo) American Beauty Member Since: Mar 2001 Location: My own private Idaho Posts: 50,904	Me too ~ me too! I think that your life is what you make of it, not what people give you. __________________ Oysters are nasty. If I want a fried loogie, I'll spit in a frying pan.
	[ Reply w/Quote ]

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode