Thanks to the News & Observer for a great op-ed, by Chapel Hill attorney James Bartow, on the limited range of options that municipalities in North Carolina have to promote affordable housing. The op-ed appeared on November 20.
Habitat for Humanity has long held a belief that all of God’s children (meaning absolutely everyone) have a right to simple, decent, affordable places to live. In heated up markets, affordability falls prey to the market and many are left out.
Assuming that we desire affordable housing for all in our communities it seems we have a choice (perhaps it’s both/and) between changing the overarching policies that restrict municipal authority and increasing funding to affordable housing.
Here’s a link to the article:
http://www.newsobserver.com/opinion/op-ed/article45666570.html