Rhinebeck deals with housing

Editorial Poughkeepsie Journal February 22, 2006

Affordable housing may not be popular, but it is necessary, which is why a discussion on the topic in Rhinebeck is necessary. The Monday workshop is an opportunity to analyze, review and consider this issue, which has been met with far too cool a reception in many communities.
By having people discuss affordable housing in an educational, proactive forum, this topic should be seen as the asset it is to a community, rather than a rallying cry of people fearing a deterioration of their property values.

Affordable housing is needed for communities to remain vibrant, inclusive and attractive to the business community. It no longer equates to only low-income housing, although that, too, is an issue. But nowadays, working people are being continuously priced out of the market. Dutchess County is no exception. The average home price in 2005 was $396,678, a 13 percent increase over the prior year's $348,572.

Rhinebeck, which has a reputation of being an upscale area, is in the midst of updating its comprehensive plan. Supervisor Steve Block would like to see more affordable housing options than just senior units and to earmark a percentage of new units being built to be affordable.
By hosting this workshop now, the final plan, when it is released in a few weeks, can better interpret the needs and desires of the community. It takes an ongoing concerted commitment by residents and leaders to provide housing for all people, rather than just build popular, and expensive, single-family homes.

Incentives can lead to results
Some communities have been able to bring affordable housing into their communities through a variety of ways. They include requiring builders provide affordable housing as a requirement of doing business in their area, subsidizing land purchases or establishing an affordable housing trust fund. Density bonuses and tax incentives are also popular options. Some communities offer some combination of the above incentives.

On Monday, the plan's consultant will talk about his findings on affordable housing, while the county's housing coordinator and workforce housing specialist will share their insights on the topic. The town board and the public will then discuss the topic. This far-reaching approach of including professionals, regional experts and local leaders, as well as residents, is sure to be insightful. Certainly, the open and inclusive approach is a better way to address what is often a controversial topic.

Addressing affordable housing now, before specific proposals are presented, should eliminate a Not In My Back Yard attitude that often deflects the real need for building a community that provides a variety of housing options. Rhinebeck is to be commended for taking a proactive stance to address this critical topic and residents, as well as leaders, should ultimately embrace the need for all types of housing.

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