GROWTH: Cities and counties should explore solutions
“Tackling Growth Together” was interesting to read but left me wondering about solutions and when they might be implemented. More apartments for ‘workforce’ housing are not a solution, it is a temporary bandage that provides no significant benefit for a real community. A city needs a significant majority of housing to be owner-occupied, not rentals.
There seems to be an opportunity presenting itself as recession and housing ‘downturn’ could, if applicable entities acted promptly, allow affordability. The cities and the county could develop a loan program, tightly controlled. I reiterate that: Tightly controlled, to offer loans to teachers and emergency personnel at rates that are more reminiscent of six months ago (3% APR, not 7%) but with a proviso that the homes must be owner occupied, and the loan is due if sold or rented out and if that occurs in less than five years (?) then 10% of any purchase price over the original cost is due to the entity providing the loan.
Ownership and equity are keys to citizen involvement and creating a community. Every effort should be made to provide homes for owners, not rentals for investors.
HOWARD BURNS
Post Falls