Housing

By Jesse L. Byers

Simple, straight-forward solutions to housing problems in the city.

My plan for housing cost reduction consists primarily of caps on rent increase, where strict timelines for cost increases would prevent rising housing costs.

The following living situations would be capped:

1) Any one bedroom apartment charging over $1200 per month

2) Any two or more bedroom apartment charging more than $1800 per month For a period of two years after the time in which rent matches these amounts there would be NO INCREASE in rent.

After that time has elapsed, rent may increase but at a rate of no more than 5% per year for a period of no less than five years.

This cap on rent costs in the city would benefit all portions of the population. More people would be able to afford reasonable housing in apartments and the number of renters would increase. This would stop the skyrocketing costs of houses where they are or perhaps even cause the costs to drop, making houses more affordable to other people in the city.

It's a win-win situation for all our citizens.

PHASE II:

Housing problems are not also in cost alone, but in size.

The mansionization currently uprooting our small neighborhoods is causing a great divide in our community and it must be put to a stop.

While it is essential that every family should have a home that fits their family, there, without a doubt, has to be a firm guideline in place as to where larger homes can be built and how large they can be.

I will not pretend to lay out an easy solution for this problem. What I will promise is to review the matter with all available resource, hear every possible input from the community and make a decision with my fellow council members that benefits the citizens in the best possible outcome.

One possible solution I have is a simple tax on any new 'McMansions' in our city.

For every square foot of new space added, a small tax would be imposed upon the owner of the residence.

Something as small as, say, $100 per square foot would be imposed on the owners for every square foot added. An owner adding a 50 square foot room to the home would be required to pay an additional $5000 to the city.

Under my proposal, this money would go directly into the city's police and fire departments for additional funding.

This proposal would ensure that there would be careful consideration before any new mansionization takes effect in the city. When new additions are extended to existing structures they would provide valuable assistance to the city.