The Metro Council postponed a vote Tuesday on a new affordable housing policy. That move was anticipated after planners grappled for months over how to encourage more low-cost homes.
Metro Planning ultimately arrived at a proposal that
even its creators found insufficient — although a looming deadline required that a draft ordinance be submitted. Now
the council wants additional time to modify it.
Various
incentives and cash bonuses are being considered for developers who keep some units affordable.
Councilman DeCosta
Hastings said he agreed with getting the policy right, but knows that many working-class families are struggling to find housing.
“We should be cautious about everything that we do with this, but we should not delay,” he said.
The council deferred two housing bills (see
bill one and
bill two), with plans to work on them before voting in the spring and the fall.
Councilman Bob Mendes, who took part in affordable housing stakeholder meetings, said one reason for taking more time is to put the policy on the same timeline as the Metro budget. Several of the housing ideas would require city funding.
“I anticipate there will be further discussion and changes,
“
Mendes said.
“
I’d be interested in continuing to work with the Planning Department and the Planning Commission.”
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