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Workforce Housing in Asheville and /or Your Town

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with REAL ESTATE REFERRAL NETWORK 209970

Asheville's  primary community development goal is to "preserve and increase the supply of workforce/affordable housing so that decent, safe housing is available in Asheville for people of all income levels." 

As Eco Certified ®Real Estate Consultants, today, keeping the above statement in mind, the "E-Team" at our Firm has been checking around to see what's out there for first-time home buyers. We are looking to see if we can find several single residential properties that  could meet the needs of (for example) a schoolteacher with a young child. Here are a couple one of our Brokers found right off the bat:

  1. "... a new starter home with large living area and spacious kitchen. Dining area features french doors to back yard. Neutral colors throughout and all kitchen appliances provided. Large master suite with nice walk in closet. solid new home in convenient location - a great opportunity for first time buyers."( $159,000) 
  2. "...a darling new bungalow with nice covered front porch and cedar siding. Open living, dining and kitchen areas with wood laminate. Large master suite with views. All  kitchen appliances included. The convenient location and great price make this an excellent starter home. " ($165,000) 

Noted:  "BRING AN OFFER"  is a prevalent remark ...HMMM! something to think about. . . 

Now, looking to 2009 opportunities for workforce housingin Asheville, NC, we are keeping an eye out for the disposition and The Eagle-Market Street Redevelopment site where a 10-story building with 46 for-sale residential units over 3,600 square feet of retail space and 27 on-site parking spaces close to the center of town is proposed. 

According to City officials, among the goals of re-development are:

*       Increasing housing opportunities for a diversity of residents, including those earning  less than area median income.

*       Activating currently under-utilized areas to further strengthen Asheville's economy.

*       Supporting sustainable developmentpractices that include mixed-uses, multi-modal transportation opportunities and efficient use of existing resources.

*       Supporting projects that will include a number of environmentally sensitive design features and the use of LEED standards. .

*       Seeking high standards and best utilization of public assets.

*       Incorporating vibrant public spaces into developments.

*       Promoting living and working in downtown.

 

Interesting to watch how what we set out as objectives can become trends. In the consumer-driven area of sustainable development and affordable housing, we are thinking "trend"! How about you?  

Copyright © 2008 All Rights Reserved.  Join the conversation at the Eco-All-Stars Group    where AR Members "Cycle in" to the Latest in Trends & Green News ...like this handy home energy saver calculator

Curious about sustainable workforce housing?  Subscribe to Greenolina's  "Green Wheels" BLOG.

__~o
-\_<,
(*)/'(*)

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The opinions expressed by the Activerain Network and it's members and those providing commentsare theirs alone, and do not reflect the opinions of janeAnne "Greenolina" http://activerain.com/janeanne  Broker/Owner of The ECO-Steward Real Estate Firm www.EcoStweardRealty.com which is not responsible for the accuracy or content provided by The Community.

 

 

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Comments(8)

ASHEVILLE REALTY REFERRAL RESOURCE 828-776-0779
REAL ESTATE REFERRAL NETWORK - Asheville, NC
CONTACT janeAnne365@gmail.com

Everyone~

We'd love to know if  housing opportunities for a diversity of residents, including those earning  less than area median income is accessible in your town.

Jul 07, 2008 11:42 AM
Joan Whitebook
BHG The Masiello Group - Nashua, NH
Consumer Focused Real Estate Services

I think I mentioned on one of your other posts that one of Nashua's community banks is interested in helping developers build an eco-friendly affordable re-birth of the "old Nashua".  Unfortunately, not too many investors see the value at this time.  At least it is a vision -- and that means it can become a reality at some point!  The present zoning won't even accommodate the plan, so there is a lot to do to get this idea off the ground.

Jul 07, 2008 01:07 PM
Stephanie Edwards-Musa
thredUP.com - The Woodlands, TX
knitwit at thred UP

Hi janeAnne,  You all really have it going on over there.  It is so incredibly important to remember those with less than median income with housing. 

I would love to see pics of the 10 story building and around there when its up.  What a sight to see.

Jul 07, 2008 01:36 PM
Pete Jalbert
The Maui Real Estate Team, Inc. - Paia, HI
R(S)

There are some opportunities on Maui, but not enough for the demand at this time. As an island community that has seen appreciation across all corner's of the island, affordable housing is one of our great challenges.

There are a few programs in place. The big one was the passing of the workforce housing bill a couple of years back. This mandates that developments of a certain size must provide between 40 and 50% of their total inventory as affordable housing. The percentage is determined by median sales price of the market rate homes.

There are also some programs in place for native Hawaiians. There are areas that offer long term leasehold property for purchase well below market rates. You need to show 50% Hawaiian blood to be eligible for the program. Demand thus far exceeds supply.

Long and short there are some programs out there, but demand is still very high. This will remain a challenging issue for our island community. At this point, there have been no green practices incorporated into the affordable homes.

 

Jul 07, 2008 01:42 PM
ASHEVILLE REALTY REFERRAL RESOURCE 828-776-0779
REAL ESTATE REFERRAL NETWORK - Asheville, NC
CONTACT janeAnne365@gmail.com

Just ran into this:

"A poor family wants a small plot of land to grow some food. A billionaire wants that land for a 20,000 square foot vacation home he may reside in for no more than a few days a year. Can you guess who gets the land?..."

from an article in YES Magazine

Jul 08, 2008 12:23 AM
ASHEVILLE REALTY REFERRAL RESOURCE 828-776-0779
REAL ESTATE REFERRAL NETWORK - Asheville, NC
CONTACT janeAnne365@gmail.com

Joan~

You know, I hadn't thought of what you mentioned in your comment..."Unfortunately, not too many investors see the value..." Now I am wondering where the "socially conscious" investors are...??? Any idea?

Jul 08, 2008 12:25 AM
ASHEVILLE REALTY REFERRAL RESOURCE 828-776-0779
REAL ESTATE REFERRAL NETWORK - Asheville, NC
CONTACT janeAnne365@gmail.com

Stephanie~

 You commented, " It is so incredibly important to remember those with less than median income with housing...." and that ties in with Joan's comment (above) ...is this an issue of investors getting that message? 

Jul 08, 2008 12:26 AM
ASHEVILLE REALTY REFERRAL RESOURCE 828-776-0779
REAL ESTATE REFERRAL NETWORK - Asheville, NC
CONTACT janeAnne365@gmail.com

Pete~

As you point out, " affordable housing is one of our great challenges...."  A real estate friend/client just sent me an article in YES Magazine that refers to your point...

Jul 08, 2008 12:29 AM