Minutes 02/14/1989 - Laserfiche WebLink

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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1989 ADDENDLM (City Manager Brown's.conclusions and recommendations from his report dated February 14, 1989, entitled, "Report and Recommendation on Housing Policy and Program for the City", hereinbefore referred to) CONCLUSIONS Any time that a community experiences a noticeable decline in general population, as well as in school-age population, there should be genuine concern as to the reasons for such change. Even though the size of families is decreasing and the general population is older, a reduction in population or even a stagnation in population growth is evidence that conditions exist that are in need of addressing which may relate to the economy of the area or to policies and regulations that do not provide the opportunity or climate that would serve to encourage the construction of new housing in the community. A fairly large number of housing units have been construct'ed in Martinsville over the last decade, however, a fairly large number also have been demolished due to public improvements and general deterioration. Even though the demand for housing is driven primarily by new jobs and income level, it is my belief that additional housing units in all income levels, particularly single family, could be marketed if streets are opened and lots are made available at reasonable costs and a reasonable plan for financing housing units for low and moderate income people is made available. There is land available that can be developed for housing, though much of it is located in areas of steep grades. It seems to me that the lack of subdivided lots is the prime impediment to construction of houses for medium and higher income persons. In the case of the very low, low, and moderate income groups the problem is centered around affordability and this is related to both housing costs and income. In attempting to properly address the housing question a position or policy should be developed applicable to these two major income groups, low/moderate and medium/high income levels: therefore, the thoughts and recommendations set forth in this report are predicated on this delineation of income levels. Even though sometimes disregarded or ignored, the condition and well-being of the existing housing stock in the City is extremely vital to meeting the housing needs of a community. It is disheartening to observe the loss of housing through deterioration resulting in a probable loss in population, especially if owned by occupants who are unable, because of very low income to maintain or rehabilitate their residences. It is almost equally disconcerting to have situations wherein the owners of rental property are unable to justify the upgrading of such property to acceptable standards because of their inability to charge and collect enough rent from low income people to pay for the required improvements over a reasonable period. Thus, it is imperative that everything possible be done to encourage and promote the upgrading and maintenance to proper standards of existing housing units, whether they are owner occupied or rental units.