Not sure how I missed this story at Charlottesville Tomorrow discussing “affordable” housing in Charlottesville and Albemarle.
Two initial thoughts -
1 – We need accurate data on commuting patterns into and out of Charlottesville and Albemarle. Using data from 2000 is not helpful, and likely deceptive (and I don’t mean “deceptive” in a negative or malicious connotation). I’d wager that since 2000, the number of people commuting into Charlottesville/Albemarle has doubled.
2 – Proffering affordable units doesn’t seem to be helping – (bolding mine).
Since the Affordable Housing Policy was adopted in 2004, 1,622 affordable units have been proffered. While nine proffered units have been completed, seven are under construction and twenty-five are in the final site plan review stage. When these proffered units are completed, the housing stock in the County that is affordable to families making 80% of the AMI will be dramatically increased.
Since 2004, more than $1.5 Million in cash proffers for affordable housing have been offered to the County and of that about $400,000 has been collected. Presently, several major residential and mixed-use developments include affordable housing proffers in the County:
* Belvedere – 103 units & $500,000
* Biscuit Run – 455 units
* Cascadia – 50 units
* Hollymead Town Center – 245 units
* North Pointe – 110 units and $300,000
* Old Trail Village – 330 units
* Rivanna Village – 78 units
* Wickham Pond – 16 units
These proffered units are required to be affordable to residents earning 80% of the AMI and are generally intended for purchase whereas public housing is generally directed at families earning incomes at or below 30% of the AMI.
Promising affordable housing is one thing. Actually building it is an entirely different matter.
