Since the mid-1990s, public officials and residents have been working to preserve and expand the availability of affordable housing in town. Davidson Housing Coalition, incorporated in 1997, has acquired, built or worked with developers to create 68 units, executive director Marcia Webster said Thursday. In recent years, the town has gotten into the act, adopting an affordable housing requirement and hiring a part-time affordable housing coordinator. Today (Thursday), The Charlotte Observer takes a look at affordable housing in Davidson in a package of articles.
The housing coalition and now the town, by requiring developers to provide affordable housing in their projects, aim to provide homes for people who meet certain income guidelines. The goal of the public and private efforts is to ensure the town holds onto its diversity of people and housing types and does not become a homogenous upscale bedroom community.
The housing coalition homes have included 15 single-family homes and 53 rental units. Under the town ordinance, as The Observer reports, a half-dozen affordable units have been built.
Meanwhile, at least 35 more affordable homes are expected to become available in the coming weeks and months, including 30 at the Summer’s Walk development, off N.C. 73, and five at Harbor Place, off I-77 Exit 30, according to Cindy Reid, the town’s affordable housing coordinator, who was hired last summer.
The program has been celebrated as a model by some, but also criticized, including by developers subject to the rules or by others who believe the free market should be allowed to determine what housing gets built in town.
In three articles today, The Observer’s Tiffany Leonard takes a look at the town’s unique efforts to preserve affordable housing and maintain economic diversity at a time of rapid growth. The report includes a look at how the Davidson Housing Coalition is helping the town and an interview with neighbor Sonja Nelson, who bought one of the DHC’s homes in Deer Park.
LINKS
Feb. 7, 2008, Charlotte Observer, “Blueprint for affordable homes: Up to now, only 6 new residences have met town’s pricing mandate.”
Feb. 7, 2008, Charlotte Observer, “Housing coalition adjusts its role.”
Feb. 7, 2008, Charlotte Observer, “With a little help, she’s a homeowner.”
RELATED COVERAGE ON DAVIDSONNEWS.NET
Jan. 30, 2008, “Have thoughts on affordable housing?”
Aug. 31, 2008, “Cindy Reid named housing coordinator”
What is considered affordable? I believe in the free market to determine the housing prices. I only looked at areas that I could afford when moving to Davidson. Living in River Run and other high cost areas were out of my price range. We can’t all live in Beverly Hills!