tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666195730630249633.post1783266228372322089..comments2024-03-25T17:49:41.408-07:00Comments on Salem Breakfast on Bikes: Commercial Real Estate Forum, Part 2: HousingSalem Breakfast on Bikeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15618055627843335993noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666195730630249633.post-86400016134035827292016-02-29T19:40:19.415-08:002016-02-29T19:40:19.415-08:00As I have written before, we could probably fit 50...As I have written before, we could probably fit 500 units along Liberty and Commercial south of the Park to where Commercial becomes a stroad. We could also fit hundreds of units along Market St, State St, Center St, 12th SE, Fairgrounds Rd, Silverton Rd, Front St and River Rd (Keizer).<br /><br />The problem is that so many of these roads are focused on moving cars and the two cities have unnecessarily high parking requirements. <br /><br />I'm not saying that Salem needs to build apartments on all of the roads in the near future. But if the started building clusters along these roads, especially mixed-use, it would snowball by making Salem and Keizer more desirable while lowering the cost o build and rent.<br /><br />Or they could keep doing the same things and wonder why things don't change for the better.Mikenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666195730630249633.post-66447967518656198502016-02-29T03:39:10.805-08:002016-02-29T03:39:10.805-08:00What I predict is going to happen with the lack of...What I predict is going to happen with the lack of affordable housing, is that people will begin to double up in existing housing. I know of several people who are renting rooms in their houses. For some home buyers who have found the job market slow or wages too low to afford the mortgage this is how they are staying afloat. For others it is a way to earn extra income. We have seen this pattern before like after WWII when there was not enough housing available.<br /><br />The "tiny house" movement is not a likely path to affordable housing as much as converting garages into housing will become. If you write a code that allows accessory dwelling units this is what you will get. Many people will build to the lowest common denominator, unless you prohibit it outright. And I do not see that happening.<br /><br />We might see more of a rush to build mobile home parks.<br /><br />The economic issues are complex. A major issue is that the HUD funding needs to be increased as well as local governments considering incentives like tax breaks. We are in for some rough years. We also need to see higher wages...minimum and otherwise. <br /><br />I am worried about what the Planning Department is doing on the issue of implementing the Housing Needs Analysis. Staff told me recently that they plan to come up with a more detailed plan by April and it will include a work group. The composition of the group is going to be vital in what comes out as recommendations. There needs to be a strong representation of neighborhood associations and people who have knowledge about how to fix this situation. A balance of developers and knowledgeable citizens will be needed.Susann Kaltwassernoreply@blogger.com