And I thought my career path as a Social Worker would pretty much ensure that I would avoid Planning and Zoning Boards, permit applications, construction budgets, etc....Life throws us all curve balls at times and my job at a south Florida nonprofit has required me to become a bit of an affordable housing rehab/new construction guy. Along the way I have learned a great deal and have acquired some philosophies surrounding the issue of housing. I now firmly believe that safe and affordable housing is one of the most powerful services that can be provided to families in need. It's all part of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs - how can one expect a single mom to work on critical life issues if she is in fear of eviction every month? How can a family be expected to pull themselves up by their bootstraps (my least favorite saying of all time) if they live in substandard housing and consistently battle with exorbitant light bills and unsanitary conditions? [ . . . ]