tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7294506345030406256.post4089666769326829408..comments2009-04-09T12:05:05.075-04:00JThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17955997796680398909noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7294506345030406256.post-87818229589725808232009-04-09T12:05:00.000-04:002009-04-09T12:05:00.000-04:00Damn it, JT, you made me think with this post (and I hate to do that!). I have always been a fan of the city's affordable housing requirement, even though developers usually find ways to circumvent it. Now, however, thanks to your keen observation that allowing a freer rein would help create competition and, by extension, more affordable housing, I'm starting to rethink its effectiveness.<BR/><BR/>It's a well-intentioned program, especially because in our area, no conceivable amount of competition would be able bring prices down to where minimum-wage or unskilled workers could afford them.<BR/><BR/>Like you, I'd like to see more projects with a wider price range, so why is it that, like you said, "The projects that do move forward are almost always exclusively high end luxury with token affordable units and nothing in the middle"? Is it because land and construction costs are so high that developers have to set their target prices at the luxury level just to turn a profit?JRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08021954676706868948noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7294506345030406256.post-76529812150856361562009-04-08T21:04:00.000-04:002009-04-08T21:04:00.000-04:00The area you talk of is not so nice at this time and your discussion of "Have" and "have nots" might need a bit a clarification.<BR/>The clarification is that a good number of municipal workers meet the qualifications for the affordable housing as defined and that is scary on many fronts.<BR/>First do city workers make that little?<BR/>If they do what does that say about this great pay they are getting off our tax dollars.<BR/>Second, If it is the standard for affordable housing allows people making a reasonable buck to get, are we talking about "have nots"?<BR/>And if this is true, where do the truly working poor live?<BR/>All questions for your question! Maybe there is a problem, let's just find out where it really is.Stamford, the workin' city?http://www.blogger.com/profile/12011843139832397727noreply@blogger.com