Tackling the Affordable Housing Problem
National news is now full of stories about the affordable housing crisis, which the pandemic has made significantly worse. This is not a new trend, but it is currently receiving attention at unprecedented levels. This higher level of media exposure is giving planners an opportunity to raise the issue with their constituents and, this time, to have a more receptive audience. For most planners, the key issue is zoning and how to make it more inclusionary.
One problem is what to call affordable housing, since the term has acquired an undeservedly negative connotation. Some call it workforce housing, although that generally means housing affordable to those earning between 80% to 120% of area median household income. Others use the term accessible housing or affordably-priced housing. Still others take a more data-driven approach, noting that any housing that uses more than 30% of a household’s income is problematic and makes the residents housing cost burdened. Whatever definition is used, housing affordability disproportionately affects the most vulnerable in society – the elderly, the disabled, minorities, and the poor.
With the highest housing prices in the state, the suburban counties around Philadelphia are at the forefront of the issue. Montgomery County has tackled housing with its Homes for All initiative, which analyzed housing needs, identified barriers to the creation of affordable housing, and recommended best practices to increase housing affordability for all residents, regardless of income, geography, or background. The report that came out of this initiative can be found online here.
In Chester County, preliminary data shows that the 2021 median housing sales value was $420,000, an incredibly high median and a 12% increase from 2020. Chester County has been addressing its housing needs through a housing choices committee and its A+ Homes initiative. A+ Homes are attractive, affordably-priced, accessible, aging-friendly, and adaptable. So far, the county has produced guides on housing cost issues and housing for an aging population. These materials can be found online here.
Clearly, much more needs to be done to address the housing crisis, which is affecting communities across the Commonwealth. Montgomery and Chester Counties provide useful information to help in these efforts.
