Affordable Housing: A Myth Or Reality In Cincinnati?

CINCINNATI - April 23, 2013 - PRLog -- “Who Needs Affordable Housing in Greater Cincinnati?” is a brand new public education and awareness video that puts a face to affordable housing and explores the myths and realities.  The video defines what affordable housing is, where it is, who needs it and various types of affordable housing that exist in Hamilton County.  The Affordable Housing Advocates of Greater Cincinnati (AHA) invite educators, religious leaders, city and state representatives, housing advocates and the community-at-large to attend its premiere screening, 5:30 pm tonight at the United Way Convening Center (2400 Reading Road).    

The video includes highlights from a listening tour conducted throughout Cincinnati where residents were asked probing questions such as, “Do you think affordable housing is just for people on public assistance?”  Candid responses reveal Not In My Backyard (NIMBY) attitudes and common myths that impede demand and support for the development of more affordable housing.

NIMBYism, as defined in the video, is a condition of railing against, and opposing in any way, the construction, installation, locating, of any unwanted building, group of people in one's own neighborhood or region, while finding it perfectly acceptable to put it in somebody else's backyard.

“Educational videos about affordable housing, such as this one, proved to be an effective educational tool as well as an effective means to decrease NIMBYism in our community,” says Monica Pepple. Monica was one of 89 research participants selected from a population of undergraduate Social Work students at the University of Cincinnati to preview the film and evaluate its effectiveness.  “The survey results determined that the film was successful in changing perceptions of affordable housing; the pre survey found 61% of students agreed that affordable housing increases crime in neighborhoods, compared to 5% on the post survey.”

In association with, the Greater Cincinnati Foundation, PNC Foundation and the Cincinnati Development Fund, the Affordable Housing Advocates produced this 13-minute video and a companion discussion guide which will be made available online at www.ahacincy.org following tonight’s premiere screening.    

The video is designed to provide a general overview of a dense issue and most importantly, it attempts to address NIMBY attitudes head on and to foster a greater understanding of affordable housing and who really benefits.

The Affordable Housing Advocates is a group of housing providers, advocates, and civic groups dedicated to “Opening Doors” and to ensuring good, safe, accessible, affordable housing for all people in the Greater Cincinnati area.

For information: www.ahacincy.org