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I have to chime in on this after reading about it in the paper today. I saw this thread but didn't really give it a glance until now. I live in Berewick and we fought against affordable housing and won. Pappas property, which is developing our neighborhood, was planning on selling some land adjacent to our brand new elementary school to the Charlotte Housing Partnership. They were going to put low-income apartments (rent starting at $300!!! Way lower than the proposed Ballantyne ones!) on the land. The homeowners in the neighborhood started a MAJOR campaign to stop them.
First, we had groups picket in front of the different builder's models in the neighborhood as well as on Shopton Rd. West at the roundabout. Fliers and emails were distributed, and groups canvassed the neighborhood with a petition. We had hundreds of people ready to go to the council meeting and get it stopped. The media was contacted. Can I just say how pissed off we all were??!!
In the end, DR Horton threatened Pappas with pulling out of the neighborhood if the picketing did not stop. Yay! The picketing would not stop until the deal with the Housing Partnership was completely off the table. We got a letter from Peter Pappas himself, stating that the deal was off and the land would not be used for affordable housing. He also agreed to notify residents in writing ahead of time if plans were in the works to do something like this again.
I heard some pretty mean stuff from people about our victory - how we were snobs, typical rich people (have you seen my neighborhood? Um, we are not rich. Normal middle class), nobody was willing to help out the poor, etc. Personally I don't care. Every person in this community has worked hard to buy their home, and we weren't going to sit idle while our property value plummeted. We didn't want crime and ghetto to be a part of our neighborhood, and especially right next to a new elementary school and park.
It can be done. I'm not sure what the proper plan of attack would be for the residents of the area in Ballantyne, but you can fight it and win. I saw someone mention above about marketing it for teachers and such. That is a load of crap. That's exactly what the Housing Partnership said - the housing was for teachers, police officers, etc. We all know exactly who would be renting an apartment for $300 a month. Please.
Not true. Took a quick look at Social Security Claimant Lawyers' websites and the general consensus is that an alcoholic can get disability ONLY if his disability is separate from his alcoholism...So, no, you don't get disability just by being an alcoholic. But it's possible that an alcoholic who might have also lost a leg on the job (while not drunk) might qualify for disability...Or a guy who lost his leg on the job and later becomes an alcoholic still qualifies for disability.
It is my understanding that this tract of land which has been zoned commercial for years is now being discussed to have a 110 unit apartment complex that the target rent for these units – before subsidies (?) – is 1BdRm $650/mo, 2 BdRm $700/mo, 3 BdRm $800/mo. These rates are supposed to be in line with the local apartment/condo rate levels, but this is not true. On average, I estimate each rate is ~$200 below where it needs to be. The goal is to have 30% of the residents earn an income less than $20k/year.
I have not read through all the responses so somebody may have already pointed this out: If the tenant earns $20K or less a year, minus payroll taxes, how can they afford $650 per month for the 1-BR? If they are at the 25% tax rate, that leaves them only $600 leftover after paying the rent. Even at a 20% tax rate that only leaves them $683 for all other monthly expenses. I think they only way for anyone that this would truly be "affordable housing" is the salary has to be at least 35-40K per year.
[quote=coastalgirl;12798453]I heard some pretty mean stuff from people about our victory - how we were snobs, typical rich people (have you seen my neighborhood? Um, we are not rich. Normal middle class), nobody was willing to help out the poor, etc. Personally I don't care. Every person in this community has worked hard to buy their home, and we weren't going to sit idle while our property value plummeted. We didn't want crime and ghetto to be a part of our neighborhood, and especially right next to a new elementary school and park. quotes
I am very happy for the people of the community. It is our right as Americans to work hard and provide our families with a good life. The harder we work and study, the better lives we can provide. Why should a community be punished for being a better than average community. There is nothing snobby about not wanting crime, drugs, illigitimacy, and gangs in your neighborhood. The people that accuse people in your neighborhood of being snobs are likely actual snobs that live across town in another safe neighborhood. Congratulations!
It has nothing to do with social justice or teachers or cops or "affordability". It has to do with getting votes so they can stay in office and not be forced to get a real job that contributes to society. Disgusting.
I have not read through all the responses so somebody may have already pointed this out: If the tenant earns $20K or less a year, minus payroll taxes, how can they afford $650 per month for the 1-BR? If they are at the 25% tax rate, that leaves them only $600 leftover after paying the rent. Even at a 20% tax rate that only leaves them $683 for all other monthly expenses. I think they only way for anyone that this would truly be "affordable housing" is the salary has to be at least 35-40K per year.
Nope. 2 + 2 does not equal 4 when you are entitled to a voucher.
Your 2 + 2 +++++ guberment share = $1800. I know it's fuzzy math but it is what it is.
We're all "One World" now and you must learn to share with your brother.Get used to it.
Buying votes thru federal funding and city inducement
Why is it always about votes? Why not people? Sure we need informed voters. But nowadays politicians will say anything to get people's vote. Then the uniformed vote out of ignorance.
Quote:
Originally Posted by rackley
This is why the city council will vote to put projects in Ballantyne:
It has nothing to do with social justice or teachers or cops or "affordability". It has to do with getting votes so they can stay in office and not be forced to get a real job that contributes to society. Disgusting.
Your suggestion for housing for teachers (and I would add - firefighters, policemen) is exactly the reason behind the concept of "inclusionary housing." This gives folks with lower salaries a chance to live in the communities where they also work.
Ironically enough, I know of at least two teachers (my daughter's teacher is one of them) that live in our subdivision in Ballantyne.
I believe there are also several police officers that live there. I'd have to confirm.
But honestly there are enough housing options apart from my specific subdivision (which is pretty darned close to the "targeted" area and zoned specifically for one of the elementary schools affected) for these community workers for lack of a better term to live.
This whole situation has me spooked.
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