People are leaving or bypassing our city because they cannot afford to rent or buy a home here. In addition many Medford seniors are on waiting lists for housing that keep getting longer. What has the city done and what will you do to create more affordable-housing opportunities for working people and seniors in Medford?
I'm not sure I agree with the premise that people are leaving or bypassing Medford. Medford is a vibrant community and its demographics are changing all the time. If there are some who truly cannot afford to rent or buy a home here, it is my guess that those same people are finding it difficult to rent or buy a home in all or most of the suburban communities of the same size and proximity to Boston as Medford. I would support an amendment to the use regulations of our zoning ordinances to provide affordable housing for low or moderate-income households to ensure that affordable housing is made available on an equal basis to all eligible households.
As part of the re-use of our schools, we have incorporated an affordability component to each sale. Also, the Rivers Edge project, through Medford's Home funds, will provide affordable housing units. We are also investigating "Inclusionary Housing" ordinance to ensure that all future development will include a set affordability component.
We need to ensure that builders include low income housing in the mix of all city based residential development. As a Councilor I have strongly advocated for this initiative while selling the old schools to developers. Affordable housing is a valuable resource for the entire community. It is necessary to breakdown the preconceived stereotypes that people have about affordable housing through community presentations regarding the benefits of this type of development. We must actively make known to builders and contractors information that can encourage their investment in affordable housing. We can also encourage the rehab of our current housing stock with tax incentives. It is important to show the community that there are many people who could benefit from this type of housing. Affordable housing is a necessary component to the maintaining the character and integrity of our community. I have also made a recommendation to the Office of Community development to look into promoting our city to the developers of assisted living facilities for senior citizens.
Some cities and towns are now demanding a moratorium on affordable housing units in their communities, concerns have been raised of over building and now with the housing slow down and economic conditions of the upcoming year 2008 careful consideration should be made when allowing new unit building. Existing housing must be made affordable simply by allowing homeowners relief from property taxes, and the new idea in Medford of the consumption billing of water use, as well as non predatory mortgage from the private sector and home buying options from such agencies as FHA and HUD.
Since my election to the Council, I have advocated for affordable housing to be a component of every new development. The affordable opportunities and housing lotteries in new developments have been widely advertised. Erica Schwarz who serves as the city’s Affordable Housing Specialist has been a tireless advocate for those seeking affordable housing. The Medford Housing Authority and Senior Center help direct those looking for public/senior housing. Medford’s blessing can also be its curse. Because of our proximity to Boston and many of the research and technology centers along the Charles, combined with our easy access to highways and our abundance of MBTA access, many people want to live in Medford. High demand often commands a higher price. What I would suggest is that the City engage in a population study to project the future demand for senior housing and move towards new construction or redesign of present facilities if warranted. I also support the ongoing examination of affordable zoning.
Over the last few years, Medford has been quite active in working to provide more affordable housing within the city. The Office of Community Development has been lucky to obtain the skills and background of our new Affordable Housing Specialist, Ericka Schwartz.
Ms. Schwartz has been busy working on a number of projects that are helping the lower income population obtain affordable housing, such as the Rental and Ownership Affordable Housing Lotteries, and the First Time Home Buyer Program. Ms. Schwartz is great when it comes to working with the City Council and communicating updates to the City Council. She keeps the council apprised of what goes on through e-mails and meetings, which keeps us up to date and active on the issues. She introduced and asked for support on the Inclusionary Housing Policy, which would create housing that regular Medford residents CAN afford.
Though we are making strides, we like many other neighboring towns and cities, have many who cannot afford the high rent and prices of living. I agree that more needs to be done in Medford and if re-elected I will continue to support creating more affordable housing, whether its by encouraging developers to include affordable units in their developments, by supporting Ericka Schwartz's plans and hard work, or by pushing the In-Law apartment issue, that I have supported in the past.
I have fully supported the sale of surplus school buildings and their conversion to housing units, which mandate the including of affordable units. Constantly working with the Medford Housing Authority to locate eligible applicants and to find affordable housing for them. I will continue my efforts.
Real estate developers in this city know that I am looking over their shoulders when they draw up the blueprints for a new building. I've done all I can to ensure that every multi-unit building project in Medford reserves affordable units for the elderly or low-income, such as the site of the former Lincoln Kennedy School in South Medford. As a City Council member, I have authority to push for this when the sale or development of the building is in some way associated with the City - for example, if the City is selling a site to be developed for condominiums. Another issue I am exploring is inclusionary zoning, which could have a great impact on creating many more affordable and elderly housing units.
The City has prepared and offered perspective home buyers financing opportunities and first time home buying points of importance. The economy dictates the real estate market so as to when and why a home owner would be selling and who would be buying at any time. The senior waiting lists are continually being reviewed by the Housing Authority and those private businessmen who wish to build for that purpose. Realizing the growth of senior citizens, the Commonwealth is now looking at this issue with new guidelines for cities and towns to possibly advance upon.
