Where is the Affordable Housing in Charlottesville and Albemarle?

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 (archived: 2011) 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.