But city officials say – in the current real estate market – it’s getting more expensive to subsidize and maintain affordable housing.
The City Council held a workshop on the topic this week. Councilwoman Sue Greenwald says developers should be encouraged to build high-density projects downtown. She says that would help the city maintain affordable units.
“When developers turn ag (agricultural) land, cheap ag land into residential the costs are very, very small. When people try to do infill projects the costs are very, very high. And I do think we have to take that into account as well – unless we want to incentivise suburban sprawl.”
Some developers say the city should relax its affordable housing requirement. They say developer fees could be used to build smaller affordable projects.
City officials plan to hold a second affordable housing workshop, although they haven’t set a date yet.
The City Council held a workshop on the topic this week. Councilwoman Sue Greenwald says developers should be encouraged to build high-density projects downtown. She says that would help the city maintain affordable units.
“When developers turn ag (agricultural) land, cheap ag land into residential the costs are very, very small. When people try to do infill projects the costs are very, very high. And I do think we have to take that into account as well – unless we want to incentivise suburban sprawl.”
Some developers say the city should relax its affordable housing requirement. They say developer fees could be used to build smaller affordable projects.
City officials plan to hold a second affordable housing workshop, although they haven’t set a date yet.