**Housing as a public issue**
In 2014, Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh’s administration released Boston 2030, a plan for how the city would grow and improve. The plan contains a comprehensive report, “Housing a Changing City,” detailing public issues in the Greater Boston Area and outlining how the city plans to address them.
According to the report, almost one in every 10 households in Boston depend on the Boston Housing Authority (BHA) for housing, either because they live in BHA-owned public housing or received BHA subsidies to live in private housing. At the time of the report, there were 12,623 public housing units in Boston.
Most public housing tenants live in extremely low-income households—around $14,000 in annual household income. In 2014, the public housing waitlist included about 36,000 applicants. Outside of the BHA’s homeless preference, housing need is not a factor in tenant selection. Income-eligible households with no cost burdens (including Section 8 mobile voucher holders) are given the same consideration as heavily rent-burdened households on the verge of homelessness.
**Boston’s sky-high cost of living**
According to a Boston Magazine article from February 2016, Boston’s cost of living is 39.7 percent above the U.S. average, with groceries and health care running 26 percent above average, while the median household income in the city remains on par with the rest of the country. Only nine percent of today’s rental housing listings are within reach of households with $50,000 annual incomes, while a tiny one percent of listings are affordable to households with $25,000 annual incomes.
**Where do you fit in?
[[Begin]]**You and Sam have been together since high schoool and became parents before you graduated. With the birth of your daughter Kaylee, college wasn't an option for you but you and Sam have tried to be good parents. When Kaylee was born, you got a job at your neighborhood Dunkin' Donuts. You've worked yourself up to a dayshift manager and make $30,000 a year, while Sam is a teller at a Bank of America branch and makes $28,000 annually. Kaylee is now 12 and you also have a son, Jared, who is 8. Both kids are in the Boston Public School system.
Things weren't always smooth, but you had a roof over your head and food on the table. But last month, the franchise owner sold the Dunkin' and you've been out of work. You and Sam had some money saved up, but with two growing kids and bills to pay, those savings are quickly drying up. Sam's job is keeping the family afloat, but each month, money is getting tighter.
Today, Sam has asked you to [[go find a job]] as the family may need to move if you can't afford the rent.You and Sam have been together since high schoool, and became parents before you graduated. College wasn't an easy option with the birth of your daughter Kaylee, but you've tried to be good parents. When your daughter was born, you got a job at your local Dunkin Donuts. You've worked yourself up to a dayshift manager and make $30,000 a year, while Sam is a teller at the local Bank of America and makes $28,000 annually. Kaylee is now 12 and you also have a son, Jared who is 8. Both kids attend public school.
But last month, the franchise owner sold the store and you've been out of work. You and Sam had some money saved up, but with two growing kids and bills to pay, those savings are quickly drying up. Sam's job is keeping the family afloat, but each month, money is getting tighter.
Today, Sam has asked you to [[go find a job]], as the family may need to move if you can't afford the rent.Since you've been working at the same Dunkin Donuts for the past 12 years, your resumé is a bit limited. Do you [[apply for a job at another Dunkin']] or [[try to find a job elsewhere?]]
<img
src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/8/7037/14110060693_e2e54aef56_b.jpg" width="500" height="300" alt="Applications">
"Well, you've got the experience and we need a new manager! When can you start?"
Congratulations, you've got the job! Go back to [[Introduction]] and play again!Unfortunately, it seems like no one is hiring and those who are want a college degree. Although why you need a diploma for a receptionist position is beyond you. Frustrated, you go home so you can get dinner started for the kids and Sam.
After the kids are in bed, you and Sam discuss your situation. Wintertime in Boston is no joke and at 8, Jared is growing quickly. His winter coat from last year no longer fits him and Sam asks you to take him to Goodwill for a new one. You agree, but inside, you know the kids hate wearing clothes from the thrift store, Kaylee in particular. You don't want your kids to get teased at school, but [[what choice do you have?]]
You choose to pay the Everysource bill and try to cut back on the groceries you buy. You and Sam are eating less to make sure the kids have food, but Jared is always asking for more.
You get a call from your daughter's sixth grade teacher; Kaylee's grades are slipping and she's having trouble focusing in class. This week, [[she failed]] a test in English, her favorite subject.
<img src=http://media4.onsugar.com/files/2013/11/15/762/n/24155406/0f1faa147cda7fac_172e074dbe7b27ca_Teacher-Banner.preview.jpg "width="500" height="300" alt="Applications">
You get a call from Jared's teacher. He fell off the monkey bars during recess and cracked his front tooth. You need to get him a crown immediately or risk a serious infection.
The family gets health insurance through Sam's job, but not dental. At $1300, the procedure is more than you can afford on top of your regular bills, but Jared needs this surgery. Sam writes a check for the dental office, but as a result, you [[can't afford to pay rent]] next month. You've always been on time with the rent, so it's not that big of a deal.
<img
src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f4/US_Navy_080918-N-0659H-001_A_Naval_Support_Activity_Mid-South_Sailor_takes_a_moment_to_decide_which_credit_card_to_use.jpg" width="500" height="300" alt="Applications">What you don't know is that being late on your rent results in a $25 fee from the Boston Housing Authority. Sam shows you the bill and you brush it off, saying that it's only $25 and you'll pay rent on time next month and BHA will forgive it.
A month passes and the interest is growing on the $25 charge. [[You start throwing away the notices]] when you get them, not wanting Sam to be more stressed out.
You choose to represent yourself without help from the VLP and file a counterclaim against the BHA. Do you [[win the case]] or [[lose the case?]]You meet with a lawyer from the Volunteer Lawyers Project and she suggests that you file a counterclaim against the Boston Housing Authority. Do you [[win the case]] or [[lose it]]?Congratulations! You have been awarded more money than the Boston Housing Authority, so you get to stay in your home!
You get home from court and tell Sam the news. Relieved Sam hugs you. You glance at the table and see today's mail. [[It's an Eversource bill. |what choice do you have?]]
<img
src="http://c8.alamy.com/comp/DTT8C3/a-gas-utility-bill-showing-gas-charges-prices-uk-DTT8C3.jpg" width="500" height="300" alt="Applications">
The court has awarded you money in your case, but less than they award to the BHA. You have to pay the difference within 7 days, or you will be evicted.
You get home from court and tell Sam the news. While you don't have to leave, Sam asks [[how you will pay the difference.|what choice do you have?]]
The court awards you money. Do you win [[more money]] or [[less money]] than the BHA?You decide to put the bill to the side and keep the money to [[pay for groceries]].
<img
src="http://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Past-Due-Notices-640x426.jpg" width="500" height="300" alt="Applications">
What you don't know is that being late on your rent results in a $25 fee from the Boston Housing Authority. Sam shows you the bill and you brush it off, saying that it's only $25 and you'll pay rent on time next month. You've always been on time with the rent, the BHA will look the other way, right?
A month passes and the interest is growing on the $25 charge. [[You start throwing away the notices]] when you get them, not wanting Sam to be more stressed out.
Welcome to Broken Bootstraps. You are Alex, a 30 year old Boston resident.
What neighborhood do you live in?
[[Live in Roxbury]]
<img src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5f/Moreland_Street_and_Blue_Hill_Avenue%2C_Roxbury_MA.jpg" width="500" height="300" alt="Roxbury">
[[Live in Dorchester]]?
<img src="http://davissquarearchitects.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/galleria_full/IMG_1957.jpg" width="500" height="300" alt="Dorchester">
**Broken Bootstraps**
Created by Elle Williams, Rowan Walrath, Paxtyn Mertens, Rowena Lindsay, Joseph Cusack & Macy Quinn-Sears
//Northeastern University's Urban Tensions Hackathon, April 8, 2017//
[[Introduction]]
The weeks pass and Eversource starts sending notices to the house, but thankfully hasn't shut off your heat. Sam is losing sleep. Finally, a collection agency sends a final notice.
While the kids are asleep, Sam tells you that you have to pay the overdue bill or you'll be taking to court. You still don't have a job and Sam suggests that you pay the collection and delay paying next month's rent. You agree, thinking you can just [[pay rent a little late.]]You receive a notice in the mail, but this one looks different than the rest. The Boston Housing Authority is taking you to court for failing to pay the now-large fee for late rent.
Sam is crying at the kitchen table and Jared won't stop asking you why.
The next day, you go to the housing court and a clerk informs you that you can either [[represent yourself]] or [[use a volunteer from the Volunteer Lawyers Project]] who come once a month to give legal advice on eviction cases.
The court does not award you any money and Boston Housing Authority evicts you. You return home to tell Sam and the kids to start packing.
Return to [[Begin]] to play again.Sam goes to sleep, while you open the latest Eversource bill. Your gas bill is more than normal month and nearly as much as your grocery bill. Do you break out your checkbook and [[pay the bill]] <img
src="http://c8.alamy.com/comp/DTT8C3/a-gas-utility-bill-showing-gas-charges-prices-uk-DTT8C3.jpg" width="500" height="300" alt="Applications">
or [[decide to save the money for food]]? <img src="https://f.nordiskemedier.dk/2zvszvvoazzyduib_520_290.jpg" width="500" height="300" alt="Food">
The court does not award you any money and Boston Housing Authority evicts you. You return home to tell Sam and the kids to start packing.
Return to [[Begin]] to play again.