Town must work to provide affordable homes

Last year, in Howell, a large tract of land on Route 33 was rezoned for a "planned retirement community". Unfortunately, our mayor and outgoing Township Council did not adequately investigate the ramifications of such a rezoning.

Not only did the rezoning increase density 100 fold, it also will eliminate the Flame Motel, a source for temporary affordable housing. The mayor and former council made no provisions for the people currently staying at the motel. In fact, there is no plan for providing decent affordable housing at all.

Howell needs to act now to address the needs of the residents of the Flame Motel, as well as people living in substandard housing throughout the township.

Over 56 percent of the housing in Howell was built after 1980. However, in that same period, not one owner-occupied low- or moderate-income home was constructed.

Our present council members understand we can no longer ignore the needs of a substantial percentage of our residents.

These hardworking people are laborers, clerks, recent college graduates, or those who have lost their jobs due to the economy. Many have children. They simply cannot afford the housing that is currently available.

One solution is to mandate a 15 percent set aside for affordable housing in all major subdivisions. This will provide a perpetual source of reasonably priced housing. If this law was adopted in 1990, we would currently have an additional 510 low- or moderate- income homes in Howell.

Another would be a partnership with a nonprofit entity, such as Habitat for Humanity, to rehabilitate substandard housing or build new homes on scattered sites throughout the township.

I urge the council to explore alternative means of providing affordable homes. Howell has the opportunity to be an example of innovative planning.

Direct developers on how and where they can build and make sure Howell continues to be an affordable place to live for all.

Sharon Carpenter-Migliaccio

Residents Against

Irresponsible Development

Howell