Richmond tackles affordable housing

Over the past few days, the Richmond Times-Dispatch has published a series of columns about the upcoming town-hall meetings hosted by the Times-Dispatch as a part of the paper's "Public Square" series.

For most Americans, housing ranks as the second-largest drain on their bank accounts after taxes... Housing affordability affects the ability of a household to rent or purchase housing at a reasonable price in a community of choice.

Since the 1970s, the median income has risen slowly but steadily, while housing prices have skyrocketed.

In 2004, 40.2 percent of all new single-family mortgages in Virginia were interest-only loans -- a clear sign that homeowners are stretched to their limit.

As housing prices rise, the ability for low and middle income renters and owners to have a discretionary income becomes more and more difficult. Currently a bill is being heard before the state legislature that calls for support of Affordable Dwelling Unit ordinances to encourage the building of mixed-income communities in Virginia's cities.

We can do nothing, or we can recognize the critical role housing plays in a strong community, and make sure that in our community there is a place for everyone... Affordable housing an issue that does not avail itself of bumper-sticker slogans.