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Affordable housing is important to our future, but what is it and what can we do about it? Housing is considered affordable if a low or moderate-income family can afford to rent or buy a decent quality dwelling without spending more than 30% of its income. Today, most low to moderate income families are paying from 40% to 50% for housing and needing help with food, clothing and energy costs as well.
Freeland is experiencing rapid growth:
- Population: 2000 – 1,850 2010 – 3,100
- Business: Current – 300 Anticipated: 425 +
The Affordable Housing Working Group will address the following issues:
What type of housing is considered affordable?
- Multiple Housing – multiplex, apartments, condos, etc.
- Auxiliary Housing – basement and garage apartments
- Shared Housing
- Mobile/Manufactured Home Parks
- Boarding Houses
- Planned Residential Developments – cluster housing
- Retirement, Nursing, and Convalescent Homes
- Private Property Rural Development
- Time-Share
Availability of affordable housing is extremely low and waiting lists for local housing assistance and subsidy programs is growing, and the wait is often 2 years or more. Our Federal/State government funding for affordable housing has been withdrawn or drastically reduced, and private developments to include affordable housing are non-existent at this time. Building regulations and sewers are required specific to affordable housing.*
- What are the challenges in considering affordable housing as part of the Freeland Vision 2025?
- Does it support and contribute to the community way of life?
- Respect for natural, historic, and cultural resources
- Create a sense of neighborhood
- Offer indoor/outdoor spaces available to the community
- Contribute to walking/biking/hiking path networks
- Preserve and enhance a pedestrian-friendly environment
- Respect and preserve landmarks, buildings, views,
and natural features
- Is it compatible with the envisioned character of the community?
- Compatibility with planned community layout, building design, and other features
- How will it effect the demographics?
- Who will occupy the housing – age-groups, family vs single, etc.
- Primary residence, secondary, rental, purchase
- Types of housing and costs
- Impact on population and age groups
- Will it enhance diversity
- How will it affect natural resources and habitat?
- Affect on wildlife, habitat, and sensitive natural areas
- Environmental impact; tree retention, impervious surfaces, groundwater, stormwater, sewers, renewable resources
- How will it impact transportation?
- Additional vehicles and pedestrian traffic
- Impact on traffic patterns, roadways
- Impact on public transportation
- What are some of the current and future barriers to affordable housing?
- Local, State, and Federal funding and support programs
- Building regulations
- Sewers
- Available land and interested developers
- What are some of the benefits of affordable housing?
- Provides housing for those who earn less than aerospace manufacturing wages
- Provides housing for senior citizens
- Provides housing for young adults and their families, reducing an exodus of young people from the island
- Builds a community that includes a mixture of incomes
* S. Gulliford, Exec. Director – Housing Authority of Island County
+ Includes non store-front businesses - Freeland Chamber of Commerce
So the question is, what do we want for affordable housing in Freeland's future and where should we plan for the development to occur?
- Where can we build affordable housing?
- What sources of financing are available?
- How do we ensure our lower paid employees can live in the community?
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WORKING GROUPS
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