ABSTRACT
This book describes the three major rural housing concerns that have prompted the development of this book. There are Housing programs, policies and rural wellbeing. In addition to the relevance of housing to individual and family quality of life and wellbeing, the availability of adequate or affordable housing plays a vital role in community economic development. Adequate and affordable housing provides significant obstacles to economic development in rural communities. Rural areas generally have much less capacity than urban communities to react and adjust to growth and change. Consequently, economic development opportunities are lost because adequate housing is unavailable or unaffordable. Adequate housing for vulnerable and disadvantaged populations has long been a significant concern. Housing for minority and elderly populations is especially relevant. Problems appear exacerbated by federal policies and programs that funnel disproportionate resources to urban areas and these rural disadvantages have existed for decades.
