Changing the View of Affordable Housing
Posted by Kathe Lemon in The Big Idea on Feb 25 2010 09:47
The idea of affordable housing is often not very palatable to neighbours for a number of reasons. Some of those reasons are logical, even if misinformed, some are rationalizations and some are emotional.
We often think that affordable housing in a neighbourhood will bring nearby property values down. After all, that's how we believe the market works — if there's a cheap option in the same area, it will decrease the value of everything. But over an over, studies have shown that when affordable housing is built well, this is not the case.
In 2006, the City of Calgary conducted a study that looked at home values between 2000 and 2004 in communities with affordable housing, looking both at a block with affordable housing and a control block without and found that property value increases were virtually identical. The study examined the communities of Wildwood, Altadore, Bowness and Whitehorn and found that property value increases in the block with affordable housing was almost the same as the percentage increase in the control block. In Whitehorn in fact, the block with affordable housing increased in value more than the control. You can find more in the City's report Straight Talk on Affordable Housing.
Another reason people react against affordable housing is that the idea they have of affordable housing is essentially a slum, or the kind of giant housing projects that were promoted in the 1960s and have been a failure almost everywhere they've been attempted. Successful affordable housing has to mean housing that people want not only to live in, but to live next to. How we get to that measure of success is one of the biggest hurdles for Calgary right now.
FOOD
-
Flavourful Finds
By Lynda Sea, Anthony Charron and Jennifer Hamilton
Photography by Jared SychThree restaurants of different styles all serve up great taste.
more food
more find dining
SHOPPING
-
Cowgirl Junkies
By Rita Sirignano and Melody Baker
Photography by Jared SychMust-haves for Stampede and beyond.
more shopping
more cool hunter
Most Recent Blogs
Avenue Contests
The Bellstar Resort Contest
Win a 2 night getaway
Design Inside the Box 2011
Win a trip to New York City for the ICFF
Avenue's Life Re-Imagined Competition
Change is good
The View From Here
Our Monthly Photo Contest
The Weekender Giveaway
Win a great monthly prize
Blog: Culture Snacks
Barb Higgins: Future Mayor of Calgary or Professional Dancer?
Posted by Avenue Staff in Culture Snacks
Saturday morning folk fest fun
Posted by Selina Renfrow in Culture Snacks
Saturday Morning at the Calgary Folk Music Festival
Posted by Avenue Staff in Culture Snacks
DJ Dolores Spins at Folk Fest
Posted by Lynda Sea in Culture Snacks
Coolooloosh on Stage 4
Posted by Lynda Sea in Culture Snacks
view all blogsBlog: Amusing Myself To Death
New Releases for June 29, 2010
Posted by Tyler C. Hellard in Amusing Myself To Death
New Releases for April 27, 2010
Posted by Tyler C. Hellard in Amusing Myself To Death
New Releases for March 2, 2010
Posted by Tyler C. Hellard in Amusing Myself To Death
New Releases for February 23, 2010
Posted by Tyler C. Hellard in Amusing Myself To Death
New Releases for January 19, 2010
Posted by Tyler C. Hellard in Amusing Myself To Death
view all blogsBlog: Top 40 Under 40
Five Top 40 Under 40 Alumni Running in 2010 Municipal Election
Posted by Sean Young in Top 40 Under 40
Top 40 Under 40 Update
Posted by Selina Renfrow in Top 40 Under 40
Meet the 2010 Top 40 Under 40 Judges
Posted by Avenue Staff in Top 40 Under 40
A Top 40 2010 Update
Posted by The Man About Town in Top 40 Under 40
2010 Nominations are now open
Posted by Avenue Staff in Top 40 Under 40
view all blogsLatest Comments
Only One Video?!
Posted to Video: Stars at the Calgary Folk Music Festival by Anonymous.
Gorgeous pics
Posted to Calgary Folk Festival Portraits: Po' Girl by Anonymous.
I love the last paragraph.
Posted to Post Mortem - Final Thoughts from The Summer Lab by Anonymous.
view more comments
Delicious
Digg
Reddit
Facebook
Post new comment