What does "affordable housing" really mean?

By Ed Williams
Posted Thursday, April 3, 2008

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Pittsboro, NC - In Chatlist 3079, there was a posting about an "Affordable Housing Summit" meeting to be held April 14. I had hoped to see some follow-up on this, but have seen nothing. I would like to know what "affordable housing" is. Can somebody provide a clear Chathamcentric definition?

I assume it would be different in Chatham County from, say, Chapel Hill or Cary. Whatever the definition (assuming one can be provided), is it to be "affordable housing" for Chatham County people, or is it to be open to all those who might come here from
elsewhere because our county is reported to be very friendly to people who need low-cost housing?

Is the County Commision considering coercing builders and developers (you know, those huge, wealthy, money-grubbing, out-of-state capitalists) to build a certain number of "affordable" houses in all their developments - which is what I have heard is done in some of our more "progressive" neighboring counties or towns? Or will this be a voluntary, cooperative effort to provide
low-cost housing for Chatham residents (U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents) who are, say, suddenly out of a job because a chicken factory has closed and who need help?