While your analysis is correct about many of the causes of affordable housing (See “Affordable Housing Begins, Ends with Development”), loosening government regulations and zoning is not the answer. You only need to look at the Mary’s Landing proposed development in Fredericksburg. The city staff has loosened zoning regulations (which is legally questionable) and the developer is still proposing housing that is unaffordable for the working class, working poor and most young people.
The only answer really, and you note it, is volunteer organizations that attempt to provide housing for the homeless and working poor. The problem is, even they can’t build affordable housing without huge private donations. So whose pocket does the money come out of? Does the private sector or do the taxpayers subsidize housing for those who can’t afford it? It can’t be done by simply changing the rules.
Rick Pullen
Fredericksburg
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