Affordable Housing as Social Justice
Social justice has been at the top of conversations in Asheville and around the country for several weeks now. While there is a lot of misunderstanding when it comes to the definition of social justice, it’s been a driving force for human interaction for a very long time. In the most basic terms, social justice refers to the distribution of wealth, opportunities, and privileges within a society. One of the ways we see this inequity in Asheville is through the availability of affordable housing. We all know it’s a problem, but we feel stifled in our abilities to make a change. Here are some avenues toward affordable housing in Asheville worth considering.
Affordable Housing Trusts
In Asheville, there have been many discussions around affordable housing and, specifically, land trusts as an avenue toward it. What makes land trusts specifically desirable in conversations about affordability is that the individuals who are part of the community own their homes. Unfortunately, we discovered the Asheville-Buncombe Community Land Trust website was no longer available since the time we wrote about it last fall.
Relaxed Zoning and Developing Rules
Another avenue that communities are taking is to relax zoning and developing rules that prohibit certain types of buildings, such as multi-family housing, in certain areas. In Austin, TX, for example, the city relaxed zoning restrictions for height, density, and parking. While there will always be opponents of this kind of development, affordable housing needs to be at the forefront of any conversation.
Limit Short Term Rentals Outside of the Central Business District
The city of Asheville already has limits on short term rentals in place. But there is a concern that short term rentals within Asheville neighborhoods prevent community residents from buying, or even being able to afford, homes in the area. While tourism will always be a part of the Asheville community, smarter planning to accommodate locals is also essential for a thriving city.
Encourage Accessory Dwelling Units
Several years ago, the city made it easier to build accessory dwelling units(ADU) in town, which is a great way to encourage density and create affordable housing. It also becomes an income stream for the homeowners who build on their property and can rent out long term. The city’s requirements for building ADUs have been created in such a way to make this an effective path to building and renting affordably.
GoPrime Mortgage of West Asheville wants to hear from you. How else can we encourage affordable housing in the city?
