The lack of affordable housing has become an important public issue in New Hanover County. On Tuesday, the joint City of Wilmington/County Workforce Housing Advisory Committee met to approve a draft Request for Proposal to identify a consultant who will conduct a comprehensive housing study, along with a public opinion survey. Those in the field say the problem may finally be getting the attention it deserves.
Later this year a consultant will present the housing committee with a study to outline the future of affordable housing in both the city and county. Rachel LaCoe is the Workforce Housing Planner for New Hanover County.
“There will be a public awareness campaign that takes place after we have the results of the study. And then the committee will be working on a workforce housing plan for the community.”
The committee was formed by the City and County last summer and has 13 members. Katrina Knight of the Good Shepherd Center is one of them.
“You know, we've been talking about affordable housing as a significant problem at the very least, if not a crisis, for over 15 years now. But I would say advocates rather than feeling discouraged the last several months have begun to see sort of a glimmer of hope that perhaps we're getting some traction. Perhaps interest in the topic and concern around the topic is becoming more widespread, not just the usual suspects.”
The committee meets once a month at the County Government Center. For WHQR News, I’m Vince Winkel.