The Mount Vernon planning and zoning commission is seeking feedback on tiny houses and accessory dwelling unit ordinance changes that they are looking to pursue. The accessory dwelling units request came from the housing commission, while the tiny houses came from Mount Vernon citizens. That survey is available at the city of Mount Vernon’s website and goes until June 26.
We know that any ordinance changes will take time, and that some of these choices may only add a few additional housing options in the community in any given year. There may not be a massive inflow of new houses or units constructed just because the options are available, but if they are added, it is great that the city is working on how these new housing options should be zoned and rules contractors will need to comply.
When it comes to housing options in the Mount Vernon community, however, we all know that low to moderate income housing is a significant population base that needs more to be addressed. The senior living development coming yet this summer in Mount Vernon will add 30 more spots, and took years to accomplish. Subdivisions are still completing, which also have some of those LMI options in them.
Without adequate housing needs for all income levels, we’re seeing that issue impact young professionals who may want to live in our community to replace those retiring, which in turn impacts area school enrollment and other service industry jobs that are key to keeping our towns functioning. Childcare workers are one of those groups who would love to live closer in the area if more affordable housing is available.
For younger generations, their road to home ownership is not the same as generations that preceded them. Saddled with higher debt loads from college and home values drastically increasing in the span of their lifetimes, many are not able to afford a down payment for a new mortgage without help from others. Some of the homes they may be looking at in their price range would come with repairs that would put the price com parable to renting more expensive.
We need more housing opportunities in this community, not fewer, period. The development of subdivisions is necessary, just as much as looking at accessory dwelling units or even tiny homes and the new low-to-moderate income housing options for seniors being constructed this summer. They all go to serving the same need – giving people places they can call home in this community.