Letter: How can Gainesville keep down housing costs in a free market? - Gainesville Times

By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.

Letter: How can Gainesville keep down housing costs in a free market?

Families in Gainesville are looking at significant rent increases as apartment complexes exit a state tax credit program that kept lease costs below market rates. The increased rent affects lower-income families the most as more than 50 percent of all renters in Gainesville are considered “cost-burdened,” according to census figures, meaning they spend more than 30 percent of their income on housing. - photo by Scott Rogers

11192017 HOUSING 4.jpg — Families in Gainesville are looking at significant rent increases as apartment complexes exit a state tax credit program that kept lease costs below market rates. The increased rent affects lower-income families the most as more than 50 percent of all renters in Gainesville are considered “cost-burdened,” according to census figures, meaning they spend more than 30 percent of their income on housing. - photo by Scott Rogers

The Times reporter Joshua Silavent reported Nov. 20 in a front page story that Gainesville City Council members George Wangemann and Ruth Bruner would consider imposing an impact fee on new residential and commercial development to fund affordable housing