CCA August 2010 Survey on Housing Issues in Charlestown
165 members of the CCA e-mail list submitted answers to this survey. Not every survey taker answered every question. A few of you included names, emails or other identifying information that we have removed to protect your privacy. The questions and all of your answers are below. Some survey responders used all caps or used capitalization for emphasis. We have left those as written, but please remember the emphasis is added by the writer and not by us.
We have included responses in the same order as the questions on the survey. We recommend reading the text responses as there are great ideas and lots to think about and discuss in those answers.
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1.) Which description below would you select to describe Charlestown as you want to see it, 20 years from today.
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Responses for other above: Some people may have written a text answer in "Other", but neglected to check the box, their selection for "Other" didn't get recorded in that case.
Don't issue building permits in wet sites and in flood zone B
enforce current zoning with unbiased zoning officials
somewhere between the 1st two.
This survey is skewed that only #1 is is the logical answer that you want to hear
allow enough new affordable housing development to allow the town to comply with state law.
more business, industrial
Zoning change only in certain areas to increase number of tax paying residents
no casino or outdoor lighting
8 units of senior community
Some development
2.) The Town Council recently took the first step in the approval of a 48 unit apartment complex on land where the current Zoning allows about 11 houses. Do you agree with decisions like this that could lead to significant increases in the number of dwelling units allowed on a parcel of land?
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3.) Do you agree with the decision if this is affordable housing? These 2 and 3 bedroom apartments are for families earning about 50% of median income.
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4.) Do you agree that Charlestown taxpayers should give the developers $318,000 to buy the land for this apartment complex?
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5.) This housing development is estimated to have a net cost to the taxpayers of $500,000 per year for school and other support costs. Would you support a long term fiscal analysis to find ways to provide affordable housing that are less costly to the taxpayer?
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6.) The neighbors were not notified that the town government is considering changing the zoning from 11 dwelling units to 48 dwelling units on this lot. Do you think that the neighbors should have been notified before any decisions were made to support this development?
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7.) The following question was on the November 2006 election ballot: "Shall the town be authorized to borrow up to ONE MILLION DOLLARS ($1,000,000) for the purpose of funding Charlestown affordable housing initiatives in the Town?" This question passed 1,951 to 1,671 against. Do you think most who voted to approve this question were voting in favor of developments that would require major density increases?
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8.) Do you support the conversion of existing housing to affordable units rather than building new affordable housing developments?
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9.) Check any boxes below that you agree with
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People may select more than one checkbox above, so percentages in Question #9 above may add up to more than 100%.
10.) Please use the following space to let us know your thoughts on this issue or other development issues in Charlestown
With two builders on the town council this makes a lot of sense
Please get your candidates elected. Charlestown taxpayers can't take anymore of this
Does our Zoning have no meaning at all????
We have a lot of people in Charlestown who need help keeping the homes that they own. We should help them first before we build housing for new people. What is the government thinking to do this?
Why aren't they following the zoning that everyone else has to follow?
"I love Charlestown the way it is now, this is why we moved here 12 years ago....no changes are needed as I see it."
I would not have voted for the bond if I knew how they were going to use it against the people of Charlestown. I feel so sorry for the neighbors. What is the town thinking?
"Charlestown is and always will be anti-everything,,I don't expect any changes in the near future except seeing me leave this negative and corrupt state for good"
Are you going to let people know that the state law that allows this takes away the power to enforce zoning? If the town turns them down they go to a special appeals board instead of court. That appeals board always sides with the developers. This law was set up to allow developers to be exempt from zoning. What is different in Charlestown is that the town government is using local tax dollars to fund the developers to ignore the law. We are paying them to break the law. This will lead to us not having any zoning. And the Charlestown Affordable Housing Board is run by a developer.
I am concerned about the 55+ affordable housing units in Village Farm off of Old Post Rd. These units are 1st and 2nd floor. My concern is who with low income would want to purchase a 2nd floor unit as their final home? It doesn't seem logical to have stairs involved in any affordable housing unit especially one that is deemed 55+ living.
"I am strongly opposed to this proposed development on Shannock Rd for a number of reasons:
1. Increased traffic on winding country roads
2. Impact on environment, including ground water, for such high density housing.
3. Development is not near services, shopping, health care etc.
4. Too many units proposed in one area.
5. High density project takes away from quiet rural setting currently enjoyed by Shannock Rd & nearby neighbors."
Can't wait to vote the current town council out of office.
I think these issues are more complicated and case-specific than what you're presenting here. The questions seem biased towards a particular viewpoint. In some cases high-density development can be better than spreading out over large areas of land - if it allows preservation of larger contiguous green spaces and habitats and if it's well-designed to mitigate environmental impacts.
"The Affordable Housing Commission is run by a developer, the Town Council has two builders, it shouldn't be a surprise that all they can think to do is build and get rid of zoning. Yes this will create affordable housing for new people to move to town, but the cost will be put on the taxpayers and make their homes unaffordable. We need to make housing affordable, not build a lot of new housing."
"This proposed project is 48 apartments situated in 6 houses..8 apartments each. 6 houses on aprox 7-8 acres of land they plan to use at this time. Once this gets approval, what is in place to prevent them from phase 2, another 6 houses, with 48 more apartments on another 7-8 acres within this same parcel. With affordable housing, they can build almost anything and with a larger density than other types of construction. Not only is the taxpayer cost in question here, enormous as it stands, putting another 150 people at our front door is in question. Our natural resources such as water are at risk. Traffic increases, trash, noise and our property values are also at risk. This is rural Charlestown here, it is beautiful, natural, quiet and sparsely populated. That is why we moved out here. Location here is not appropriate for 48 apartments, regardless of who lives here."
i can't think of a less desirable location in town for this type of development. Can't understand the secrecy that prevented neighbors from learning about zoning changes."
"Wow I forgot what had been on the election ballot. The developers keep saying we approved new construction only, but that sure isn't what the voters were told in that question. Thanks for posting it so we could see what we voted on. I never would have voted yes if I knew it involved ignoring the zoning we have."
"Affordable housing is no doubt a complex issue. My personal feeling is why build it in a rural area that has no transportation system, sewage system, health system etcetera. Build it in Providence or a city which already allows high density housing and the city already has a complex infra structure to support all the needs of people with modest means. It is great to have city areas and rural areas. "
"I am deeply disturbed that the zoning board passed approval for Habitat to build a home on a 12,000 lot just 20‚ feet from the road (the town owns 12‚ feet in) on Klondike Rd..all other residential building lots are 40,000‚ sq. ft. do realize this was a non conforming lot prior to current zoning regulations‚ Does that make this acceptable, and how will it affect the nature of our neighborhood and property values?"
Our taxes go up every year. We don't expect that to change no matter what happens to housing in Charlestown. We think that more units per acre probably means lower quality of housing and a negative impact on property values in the area.
I strongly support the preservation of openspace in Charlestown unlike that of Narragansett which has become congested. The people who are supporting affordable housing usually do so as long as it is not in their backyard - as it has to be in somebody's backyard it needs to be proceed with transparency.
"You do not give enough information on this project as to location, water and sewage pros and cons. How many 2 bedroom versus 3 bedroom units, whether some units could be changed to 1 bedroom to support housing for seniors for diversity and less impact on town services. Survey is designed to build opposition to this project, i.e. are you against motherhood and apple pie?"
Thanks for asking my opinion. The people at town hall only talk to the builders and developers and want me to pay my taxes and keep my mouth closed. This is a very nice service you provide. I hope a lot of people take your survey and write in the comment box. I want to know what the real people in town think about this. If you put this housing to a vote it would be voted down.
Some affordable housing is necessary in town but it should follow the housing that is present in the town now Large complexes in the past have always turned into slums in time because people don't have pride in their living space In the town I came from they put small units of affordable housing throughout the town 8-12 units at one location So far this has worked very well
This affordable housing should be put somewhere that is on a bus route so these people can utilize it putting it where want to will be an issue they will not have a way to get around. There are no shopping centers with in walking distance. Some where along rte 1 would probably be feasible to the residents of charlestown.
We Need Transparency of government!
"Keeping open space open is very important, but open space can support some recreational development. The town needs to look into increasing the minimum lot size so that residential homes sit on larger parcels of land, this will help keep ""peace"" with the neighbors so that no one is looking in each others windows, this is not and should not ever become the city, house on house on house."
"The town administration (and citizens!) should resist and seek to reform state law that permits the state to undermine local government and overrule the town's comprehensive zoning plan, in order to accommodate a special interest. The comprehensive zoning plan is the result of democratic process through elected representatives, and there is a town-approved mechanism already in place to seek a variance."
"This proposal to dramatically increase the number of houses/units on the subject lot amounts to illegal spot zoning. It is wrong...ethically, environmentally. It is unfair to other landowners who have abided by planning/zoning requirements in the past. It will only encourage other developers to pull the same scam under the guise of affordable housing. This is not smart community development....outragious really. "
There seems to be multiple cabin/motel type units that are either not being utilized at all or for seasonal/temporary occupancy. Can we not tear these places down and rebuild to accommodate affordable housing units???
Developing senior citizen complexes is a win win for Charlestown: No tax burden for school enrollment ; tax revenue for Charlestown.
You supported builders for the Town Council. What did you expect?
"Putting 48 units on a parcel zoned for 11 makes little sense to me unless the septic system and water supply are carefully designed to meet both immediate and future demands. Additionally the 48 unit location is questionable. I see a risk of the units being too isolated due to a lack of public transportation, timely police protection and the scarcity of retail establishments. "
"My biggest concerns are with the town council and the way they are not really holding open government. I also think that all issues should be up front, notifying the public, and putting the issues that the public are most concerned about in the beginning of the meetings and not at the very end. It seems that there are always sneaky tactics that doesn't represent open government. Let the people decide the outcome."
"I do support the new housing that Habitat for Humanity is building, and has built, in Charlestown."
"Proposed location will need extended road enlargement and improvement. It is a dangerous road as it is and I feel lucky that although many times it has been close, I have not been run off the road yet.
Poor planning and lack of involvement with the community has been unsettling.
People with that income level rarely have transportation. How will they access resources, medical and routine affairs stranded in the woods?"
"I support affordable housing that has the least cost to the taxpayer. If high density housing is less costly than building new single family structures on individual lots or converting existing structures then that is what we should do.
High quality education for all kids is our responsibility and without it RI will continue its economic downslide. The existing schools can absorb the number of kids that would move into 48 units without substantial incrase in cost. Other than the schools and police what public services does Charlestown provide? The town doesn't even plow the streets in my neighborhood."
"In regard to the Affordable Housing issue, I strongly feel the town has selected an inappropriate neighborhood to develop it.
1. The parcel of land that is in question has a high % of wet lands which support a multitude of flora and fauna native to Charlestown.
2. There is not an abundance of ground water in that part of town (many residents have encountered problems with their water supply and have had to make sizable expenditures to correct the issues.
3. One of the reasons that Charlestown requires a 2 acre lot to build a home is to help ensure the availability of fresh, drinkable water and also to regulate the amount of waste water/sewerage being absorbed in the land. Both of these issue have been totally ignored by the town. I
4.The influx of approximate 150 persons, many of which will be school age children will be adding to the tax burden of our residents that currently pay the cost of education. In talking with the Planning committee, they stated that the owner of this facility will be a non-profit organization that would not be subject to the full tax rate as the rest of the town, if any taxes at all.
5. There is no access to this property from Shannock Rd, it is land locked due to the wet lands and abutting properties. I understand that access will be granted by the current owner through his current drive way. I don't believe that would be sufficient to carry the traffic load for 46 units.
6.The State of RI's plan calls for Affordable Housing to be located close to shopping & etc & also have access to public transportation. Charlestown has no public transportation. Would that be another cost the residents would have to absorb? There is a lot for sale near the corner of Route 2 & Shannock Rd which would accommodate probably 10 units. It is in walking distance to a convenience store & a small market which would be accessible to the residents on foot if need be. I'm sure there are other such pieces of land in Charlestown which would accommodate 10 or so units.
7. The Planning Committee has stated that there is ""no rental property in Charlestown"". That is not true.
8. The Planning Committee has also stated that Charlestown has ""no affordable housing"" this also is not true. There is a new development on Old Post Rd with single family home and condominiums for sale at affordable prices. At least that is how it is being advertised. I would think that it would have to fall within certain guidelines to be deemed ""Affordable Housing"".
9. The proposed development will be rental property. This does not lend itself to maintaining the property well, pride in ownership nor the possibility of accruing equity in one's property.
10. Cluster housing does not solve any of the issue that I have stated above, There will still be pollution of the ground water from too much waste water, families will run out of drinking water because of high usage, and the natural habitat for Charlestown's flora & fauna will be destroyed forever.
I have tried to be brief & to the point. I am not against Affordable Housing but I am against the town manipulating its residents & throwing in a development that does not meet the needs of those intended to live there or show any regard to the current tax payers and Charlestown's land use and stewardship."
"I believe that affordable housing can be made to be tax neutral, with an appropriate mix of Senior (the largest growing population) and family units. Taxpayer support would be through the bond issues (i.e. one-time investments). Renovated family and new senior units in reasonable numbers will enhance the community, provide more affordable housing,and help to stabilize the tax burden. The excesses of the past,are often related to ignoring future cost to the taxpayer. Its time to change that! "
"We do not need affordable housing. If you cannot afford to live here, then you should not have an exemption to live here."
"I am embarrassed that some Charlestown residents mask their opposition to any proposed development of affordable housing behind concerns for the preservation of open space (which I support, increased services and taxes."
"I think your survey is worded in favor of preserving open space at all costs and not open to more residential housing. There is nowhere in town to build affordable housing that is near shopping. I don't think the town can afford to buy the land across from the mini-super and build to meet the historical district codes. There are busses that can pick up people anywhere. I think we should build affordable housing. I don't think this opens up changing existing zoning. I do think the TCoucil will protect Charlestown's zoning. Just because it's a high density project doesn't mean residential building codes will change. I think CCA is getting abit too negative about this issue. "
If you have enough money you can build anything you want to in Charlestown.
"The ballot stated that that the bond was for initiatives to provide affordable housing. I voted for it because I thought I was approving funding to help Charlestown residents keep their homes, or provide for renovations on existing structures to render them habitable for Charlestown residents at affordable rates. I would NOT have approved a bond to subsidize developers chasing opportunities for new construction."
"This survey is so biased and filled with faulty information!!!! The Town Council did not take steps to approve the project, they simply said the bond money could be used if the project was able to gain local approval. The whole point of the passing the bond was to fund projects to BUILD affordable housing. What is your estimation of $500,000 in costs based on? Where do you come up with that number? Back up your assumptions or you have no credibility. The Town Council DID NOT change the zoning of the parcel. If they had, they would have been required by law to notify abutters and the public. Why do you lie to get people to support your ill informed position? Affordable Housing requires density increases, you can't accomplish one without the other. I hereby challenge you to find an affordable housing project anywhere in the state of rhode island that adhered to the existing large lot zoning. Good luck with that one, because they don't happen. As for your position that the bond money should be used to convert existing housing to affordable housing, have you even read the bond language? The language that the voters approved for the appropriation of that money DOES NOT allow for the conversion of existing housing, nevermind the fact that we don't have any existing housing to convert. PLEASE stop writing about which you don't know about. All you do is anonomously distort the truth for your own personal agenda. This survey is worthless because you have not been truthful in your representation of the situation that you are inquiring about. Fix your questions so that they don't contain such disgusting bias and lies and maybe we can begin to take you seriously. Since I know you won't do that I won't bother to hold my breath on that one. You are worse than the problem you formed yourselves around. And I dare you to post my comments on your results email since you only seem to post those that support your own position....we'll see if you rise to the occassion."
"While some rehabilitation projects can be more costly than new construction, in this economy, with so many available houses and the cost of rehab lower than ever, it seems to me we can provide MORE affordable housing through rehab rather than new construction.
Doing so could also have the affect of improving run-down houses in neighborhoods and improving surrounding property values, which in turn would increase town revenues as well.
Maybe by squeezing in 48 units into a small area the Town Council believes this is a more efficient project but they should be able to show taxpayers an independent cost analysis that demonstrates this, while also factoring in the additional costs to taxpayers for additional services, and the precedent of the TC arbitrarily changing zoning without notifying residents first.
My concern is that what is driving this project has more to do with developers with close ties to certain council members desperate for new construction projects rather than an effort to comply with affordable housing laws in a way that is suitable to Charlestown and its taxpayers.
I also question how much this is REALLY going to cost. We approved $1 million for affordable housing. With $300,000 going to land purchase, I can't see 48 units of housing being built for $700,000. Are we on the hook for a lot more as taxpayers, beyond the cost of supporting 48 low income families?"
In the polling business, this is called a "PUSH POLL" where the questions are worded to create the pre-determined result. Children of long-time town residents can't afford to live in town. Business owners and their workers can't afford to live in town. It is wrong for CCA to take the smug position that "we have ours, the hell with the rest of you." With care and a reasonable attitude, we can meet our legal obligations to the state, our moral obligation to residents and their families and preserve our natural beauty. The project in question sets aside the vast amount of land it will be built on for preservation. This poll is distorted.
I think this is proposed on a land locked lot. This land would not have gotten developed if not for the current Town government. I bet they are paying a lot more than the land is worth too. Might want to look into who owns the land and see if they are being bailed out of an unusable piece of land.
Thank you for giving us a space to talk about these things. I went to a Town Council meeting and they treat me like a bigot for asking for an explanation of this project. We should be able to have a conversation about this as a town, but the government tells you to shut up.
"This is an insane proposal. Not one ounce of common sense was issued here. The idea of putting a low-income apartment complex in the middle of the woods, with no access to public transportation and public facilities is ridiculous. This is a beautiful rural area encompassed by a significant amount of wetland. Large areas of open space designated by both the Town of Charlestown and South Kingstown are present. Single-family dwellings and small farms make-up the remaining area. An apartment complex of any kind (low income or not) does not belong in this setting. I could go on and on....Please don't let this happen. This area of Charlestown (in my opinion) is one of the nicest areas to live in this town. "
"I don't understand how government money can or could be used to rehab existing houses into affordable housing, especially when the wording is ""to keep people in Charlestown in their homes"" Is CCA suggesting a bail out for all people in trouble with their mortgages?? That isn't my view of providing affordable housing. Habitat for Humanity has the right idea...volunteerism and sweat equity maybe the Town should fund Habitat initiatives instead of developers."
"I think that the number of units is too high in one location. I would like to see Charlestown becoming more diversified in their thinking about providing low income housing. Of course I am not against affordable, more sustainable housing. I think more grants could be secured if they included more energy efficiency into the plan or preserving a village/house by purchasing houses on the market that are in quick sale. Moving lower income housing out to Shannock away from amenities is excluding them from much needed community involvement. Why can't the town secure some land in town and some in rural areas so low income families have a choice and it does not create a ""projects"" type scenario? INclude them in existing communities so that they do not feel like they are so isolated. There is house right down the street from me that is vacant, that the town could buy and it is a great neighborhood and a low income family could move into a community that could lend a helping hand instead."
why have zoning laws if they can be changed for the benefit of some developer? this is not fair to people who have already built in the area.
"Can housing designated for seniors only, also be classified as affordable? What is the definition of ""affordable"" - what criteria is used? Thank you."
"Once the farms and open space are gone, that's it,we can't get them back. I love Charlestown for it's green space and water. Lets preserve this fantastic eco system! "
"This is not the right area for that kind of development. I walk this area of Shannock Road most mornings. The traffic that exists now is difficult enough to walk with. Between 7:45 and 8:30am I encounter 3 school buses, 2 on the Charlestown side and 1 on the S.Kingstown side. In fact, the Charlestown buses have started going into SK to turn around instead of at the corner where this development is proposed. For as long as I remember they have always turned around at the corner. Not sure why the change. I can't imagine walking here with vehicles from 48 more dwelling units using Shannock Road. It's not the kind of road for that much use. "
"It is a good idea to use affordable housing money to help citizens stay in their homes. I am against these affordable housing bonds, however, this use of them is preferred (as apposed to building new units).
Regarding survey question #1: I love the open space in Charlestown, but, I cannot stop someone from using their land, their property, just because I like the land undeveloped. This is America, where property rights count!
I support diversity within a community -- economic, cultural and ethnic. Such development could be approached within fiscally sound practices and does not necessarily have to increase or (at least) not significantly increase costs to taxpayers. The benefit to all the community is more than offset by the richness of a diverse whole.
They are making these proposals all over Charlestown on every lot that is not developable or they propose 5 times the allowed lots. Wave goodbye to zoning.
This area is too rural and does not support the infrastructure needed like transportation to justify developing. It's like raising ducks without the water needed for long term housing. The area should be preserved and the zoning should not change. I'm watching the destruction of the Town,the State and the Country before my eyes.
Has anyone told John Brown that the Narragansett Trail runs through this property?
I know that affordable housing is an issue in Charlestown and other City's and Towns throughtout RI. Does anyone know the true status of Affordable Housing in the Town of Charlestown, RI? Has a survey of every household been done and compared values with incomes of the owners? Are rental units checked for the same issues. I have two rental houses in Charlestown that I believe would qualify as affordable housing, but I don't know if they have been counted towards the 10% mandate for affordable housing in Charlestown. Who knows we may already have met our mandate if an accurate survey of the town was performed.
I would support spending for affordable housing if it were planned well and didn't require the massive development of openspace. It seems like there could be better locations for development - revamping existing housing, considering accessibility to transportation and other services, interspersing the housing throughout the town instead of a single dense development, etc...
As a builder I like the affordable housing law because it gives me a streamlined process and few constraints. We should not have minimum lot sizes. All land should be developed to full capacity and the town council should be praised for encouraging more and denser development.
Why don't we have to have a referendum on buying this land? I saw a town council meeting where they said all bond spending would be put to a vote. Were they teasing us???? This is borrowed money. What is the interest rate we will pay and for how long? It will be a lot more than 318 when they are done with this.
I understand affordable housing estimates do not include mobile homes. I think they should. I'm not sure about the distinction between mobile homes and modular homes. I see nothing wrong with duplexes or mixing these in with existing housing of mixed incomes. I am not in favor of a few mixed in with expensive housing to allow the developer to build dense developments. I think all developers should pay some money into an affordable housing fund and not be given too much "sugar" to develop them amongst high priced houses. I like the idea of mixing incomes of all levels not segregating them in same type developments. That was the way small towns developed, not suburbia which tends to be lots of similar houses altogether. The lawyer and the bricklayer often lived next to each other or at least communicated. Now so much is separate and it makes for more of a class structure of "haves" and "have nots." I definitely want to see undeveloped or farm space retained, expanded and taken care of. I do not like very dense development which might impact the quality of water, life and environment of Charlestown. Builders tend to develop individual houses, developers tracts of them. Although some density of condos or apartments leaves more open space the density should be as it is overall.
Aside from the ecological issues which will be honestly investigated, I hope, and the large, ongoing public expense which will be incurred, I think the isolation of this potential small community is the most important idea to consider. This area and many others already in existence need transportation to stores, library, playgrounds, parks, theaters, jobs for kids and seniors etc. Not every family can have two cars and not every citizen who needs transportation can drive.I think that when the town is considering development is the right time for the developers and the town and the community to be thinking about how to create and fund low cost low impact public transportation.
Keep the pressure ON. You are doing a Great Service for the community. Thank You
A mixed income community is important for all of us, after all, the incomes of each of us is likely to vary over the course of our lifetimes and the ideal community should have housing for these variations. So too is a balance of open space and housing....planning is the key to making all this happen. A townwide charrette would help create a shared vision rather than piece by piece reactions to individual projects.
You can not change the zoning laws without consent from those who live in and around the area. I am in full support of affordable housing, but it should not change the standards/zoning that the town of Charlestown has been built on. People live and love it here, for it's natural beauty and peace. More people equals less peace.
Beauty of open space, once lost is lost forever. The beauty of our town is the open spaces.
Your e-mail defining affordable housing was excellent - it motivated me to take the survey. Your ideas are very logical. Westerly has a policy to support existing units and discourage new construction. There are some low income rental units that I pass every day. They could use repairs. The landlord might like to convert these to subsidized units in exchange for some repair work. Keep up your good work of protecting the taxpayer and environment.
Thank you for clarifying and describing "affordable housing." It seems like there must be a way to classify the current housing of lower income families as "affordable," even though it doesn't meet the necessary criteria.
I am in favor of an affordable housing informational packet that clearly explains affordable housing to our residents and provides many alternatives as well as ideas for incentives to go affordable. The packet should also include a survey which will give the town administrators direction on what affordable housing options residents are most interested in exploring. Affordable is NOT something that should be done behind closed doors! Converting exisitng houses to affordable in a manner which gives incentives to the homeowners is one great alternative to building when there are so many affordable houses in Charlestown already. Encouraging rental houses, mobile home units, small condos (as in Kingsland) and our already exisiting apartment buildings to convert are other options. Also, there are many older residents that would most likely qualify, but may lose their houses while trying to update their septic systems. In this economy, when people are frequently forclosing, we have nothing to lose but longtime residents! The real problem involves those in charge of exploring these options for our town. This effort must be well coordinated and thoroughly explored with resident input-not just left up to the volunteer only Affordable Housing Commission.
Zoning is the most important part of any town. Don't change what others have fought to preserve for generations.
I think the conversion of existing housing to affordable housing is attractive but will only work for those who are going to lose their home and don't mind relinquishing control of their house to the government. With new affordable housing tenants, they have few choices, accrue very little equity but gain a roof over their heads and a nice school system.
"Teardowns" make me sad, though I realize an unheated old cottage wouldn't work for year-round retirement living. Many of the replacement buildings take up too much space, though, with yards kept pristine via lawn chemicals and built-in irrigation systems, which are harmful and wasteful, in that order. Watering timed to automatically go off, even after a rainstorm, is personal convenience at a cost to the community. I schlep gray water to keep Queen Anne's lace blooming as long as possible, and accept the inevitable when I fail to do it. Soon September Weed, evening primrose, wild aster, etc. come along to brighten things up! For affordable housing, it makes sense to have greater density that can be adapted to existing neighborhoods. I'd rather see a well-designed multiple-apartment house on my street than the pretentious private summer "estates" that proliferate here. Ordinary working people can become homeless when so much land is given over to second/third residences and affordable housing is resisted.
This will raise our taxes and make it more expensive to live here. Has anyone done an audit of these affordable housing developers to see where the money goes? There is little building going on, but the subsidized housing just keeps on going and going and going ...
The survey itself appears written in such a manner that it is intrinsically biased against high density affordable housing. Regardless, the survey has value. Not at all addressed in this survey is the motivation to have affordable housing to attract those from out of the areas who have skills needed here but cannot afford to move from where they are now.
I did a little looking and according to the census page the median income for a household in our town is $51,491. It doesn't look like that is updated for the new census, but even if a little higher now this is not a rich town. Half the people earn less than that and they will have to pay the taxes for the new housing. It makes no difference if this is low income housing or upper middle class - as long as there are lots of new students for Chariho we cannot afford this. The town government needs to think about the people who live here now and not drive us out of town. It will become a town where every piece of acreage is developed and only the rich and the people in subsidized housing can afford to live. The people in the middle will get squeezed out. Sad that we let this happen.