Broad Consensus

This commentary appeared in today’s AC-T. It’s co-authored by Mike Butrum and Barber Melton. “Mike Butrum is governmental affairs officer for the Asheville Board of Realtors, and Barber Melton is with the Coalition of Asheville Neighborhoods.”

It’s not every day you’ll find the Board of Realtors in harmony with such a strong neighborhood advocate. Here’s an excerpt -

One of the most important things we should do is encourage the creation of affordable housing for the people who work here but can’t afford a home, focusing on population density in the urban center along existing transit and transportation corridors. Right now police officers, firefighters and teachers cannot afford to live in Asheville. Instead, they have to commute from places like Weaverville, Candler or Hendersonville. It seems unfair that those who protect and instruct the citizens of Asheville cannot afford to be citizens of Asheville.

Work force housing and urban density need to be encouraged for two reasons: to improve the quality of life for the entire region; and to increase economic development.
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There are several steps Asheville can take to increase the amount of work force housing. One step is to reconsider current policies and zoning ordinances that hinder development of more work force housing. The city should also look for redevelopment opportunities along major transit corridors, as increasing urban density along these corridors is the best way to increase the amount of work force housing available in the city. The city should consider the possibility of donating land for affordable housing, as well.

We support these steps. Concerted action by local leaders, taken after input from voters, is needed to position Asheville for the future. If we want to maintain our quality of life while developing our economy, we need to act now.