A new $7 million housing development under construction on Yorkville Road might be considered cause for optimism.
After all, new housing of any kind is something Lowndes (except Caledonia) has seen far too little of since the recession of 2009.
But that optimism is muted on some corners, based on the nature of the development.
The Fountain Square development will feature 12 buildings with four townhouses in each for a total of 48 homes. Each will feature three bedrooms, two-car garages, washer/dryer units, security systems — the sort of amenities you normally associate with middle-income properties. These are not cinder block bunkers, or row houses.
Yet there is opposition in some quarters, not because of the quality of the homes, but by how they are funded. Fountain Square is a Section 42 housing development, supported by federal funds to provide affordable housing, something that is an issue throughout our country. Under the plan, tenants will rent to own and after 15 years, the entirely of the rent they have paid will be converted into equity.
Opponents, most notably Lowndes County Board of Supervisors President Harry Sanders, objects to Section 42 housing on the grounds that it does not produce the tax revenue that conventional home ownership produces. In Sanders’ view that means the county will have to provide services without receiving the tax revenue to pay for those services. It’s a free ride, in Sanders’ estimation.
That, we believe, is too narrow a view of the matter, because there are benefits to the community that far outweigh the costs, which in the large scheme of things, is negligible.
The issue of affordable housing is a serious matter. It has been proven that few things produce more positive outcomes than home ownership, not only for the home owner, but for the community at large.
All empirical evidence shows home owners are less likely to be involved in criminal conduct, less likely to abuse drugs/alcohol, more likely to pursue educational opportunities and more likely to be actively involved in their communities.
There is something about home ownership to promotes a sense of hope, a pride of ownership that tends to enhance the quality of life for the home owner. That makes them better citizens, and makes our community better. As a result our community is made better.
Even so, there persists the false notion that all government-supported housing is created equally — that each program produces a ghetto housing project and serves as an incubator for all sorts of ills.
But Section 42 housing is far different than other government-subsidized housing. For starters, tenants must undergo criminal background checks and credit checks. It is the housing for the working men and women at the lower end of the wage scale, people whose primary obstacle to home ownership is more a matter of income than of character.
We believe there is a real need for housing for hard-working Mississippians who need this sort of helping hand. It should not be perceived strictly as a function of generosity. There are real benefits to our community when affordable housing is available, especially here in Mississippi, where wages are lower than in other states.
It is for that reason that our optimism for the new construction is not muted by the nature of the development.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 37 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.