Affordable Housing Advocacy

With all the challenges we face lies significant opportunities for Brunswick to address this issue head-on, with strategic leadership and public investment. By developing innovative programs aimed at facilitating the creation of affordable housing, we can simultaneously revitalize our community’s neighborhoods and core areas while maintaining the city’s physical and historic character.

It’s evident that a substantial portion of our population, comprising approximately 15,000 residents, lacks the financial capacity to secure standard housing in today’s market. The disparity between available income and housing costs is stark, with a gap of up to $10,000 per year for Median Family Income households. The data tells a story of families and individuals struggling to find adequate affordable housing:

– As many as 45% of family households, along with single elderly individuals living alone, currently experience a housing cost burden, allocating more than 30% of their income to housing expenses.

– Approximately 64% of occupied dwelling units are rented, with a significant proportion being single-family or duplex homes in need of substantial rehabilitation. The availability of affordable apartment dwellings remains limited.

– Around 2,000 families and individuals currently reside in substandard and inadequate housing, highlighting the pressing need for better options.

– Alarmingly, some families and individuals are compelled to leave the city due to the lack of suitable housing opportunities, with many relocating to neighboring counties.

The limited new housing development within the city further exacerbates these issues. Since 1970, most new housing has been constructed outside the city, with few new single-family housing units added in the past decade. The current market conditions present additional challenges:

– A scarcity of homes for sale within the city, with an average list price of $172,450.

– Limited rental apartments available, and those that are available command rents starting at $1,250 for one-bedroom units and $1,450 for two-bedroom units. Many families must allocate an unsustainable percentage of their income toward housing costs.

– The rising cost of “starter homes” priced beyond the reach of most families.

– Federal housing subsidy programs, including public housing and Section 8 vouchers, have lengthy waiting lists.

The presented data underscores the pressing need for action in the face of these challenges. However, opportunities abound for Brunswick to not only address these issues but to transform declining neighborhoods through innovative housing programs:

– The rehabilitation of older homes can provide affordable housing options for families.

– Federal tax incentive programs can facilitate the development of affordable rental housing, as seen through recent projects in the city.

– The Land Bank Authority can be utilized to acquire tax-foreclosed properties for the development of affordable housing complexes.

– Expansion of Federal programs can support home repair, rehabilitation, and new construction.

By embracing these measures and other creative approaches, the City of Brunswick can not only meet the challenges of affordable housing but also contribute to the revitalization and flourishing of its downtown, historic core, and neighborhoods. This transformative potential lies within our grasp, waiting to be harnessed for the betterment of our community.