Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, January 5, 1992 TAG: 9201060194
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: D-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
SAVE STATE ROLE IN AFFORDABLE HOUSING
I APPLAUD Mr. Wilkinson's call for a regional solution to the affordable-housing problem ("A new coalition," Commentary page, Dec. 31). But his placing all bets on Housing and Urban Development or a local body leaves out a very important player: the state of Virginia.For the past four years, the state has provided an array of programs developed and modified through direct contact with local officials and housing providers throughout the state.
The Virginia Housing Partnership Fund has provided bathrooms, home repairs, new homes, mortgage down payments, low-income loans to home owners, and seed money for new-housing non-profit corporations. Almost $40 million was provided by the state, most of which was matched by private, local and federal funds and the volunteer work of community members.
This fund has helped thousands of low- and moderate-income households in Virginia with safe, decent, affordable housing. But the entire program is in danger.
Last-minute negotiating by the governor saved the Partnership Fund last year with a loan from the Virginia Housing and Development Authority. Things do not look any brighter this year. On Jan. 9, members of the state Senate Finance Committee and House Appropriations Committee will hold public hearings at Wytheville Community College. It is imperative that Mr. Wilkinson and all other advocates for affordable housing attend those hearings and voice support for continuation of the Housing Partnership Fund.
It is easily demonstrated that investment in good housing stock increases the productivity and value of a community and aids in the well-being of the household. We should not let our fellow citizens live in unsafe or unsanitary conditions any longer; the cost to all of us is enormous. JEFFREY W. LONDON BLACKSBURG