POSITION STATEMENT ON AFFORDABLE HOUSING
Most Harris Township residents have stated that they do not oppose affordable workforce housing in our Township. A challenge facing Supervisors is integrating workforce housing into neighborhoods.
According to the 2010 U.S. Census, 15 percent of Harris Township families earn less than $35,000 per year and approximately half of the residents of Harris Township do not earn enough to purchase a $238,000 home (median home value) in our Township. According to the 2009-2013 American Community Survey Estimates, our Per Capita Income is $39,500 with a median household income of $77,880.
The Centre Region's Growth Forecasting Project in 2003 estimated that Harris Township would add another 2,100 residents by 2030 which, assuming 2.65 residents per household, would equate to nearly 800 new dwelling units. Harris Township has the option of spreading these new housing units over the entire township, thus adding to sprawl, or as recommended in the Comprehensive Plan, concentrating the units within the Regional Growth Boundary, served by public sewer and CATA bus lines, reducing vehicles on our roads.
Does Harris Township desire a resident base with a diverse income or do we wish to concentrate on large-lot developments? As we have done in the past, I believe that Harris Township should appeal to families with varied income levels and respond by providing some housing options suitable for lower and middle-income families.
According to the 2010 U.S. Census, 15 percent of Harris Township families earn less than $35,000 per year and approximately half of the residents of Harris Township do not earn enough to purchase a $238,000 home (median home value) in our Township. According to the 2009-2013 American Community Survey Estimates, our Per Capita Income is $39,500 with a median household income of $77,880.
The Centre Region's Growth Forecasting Project in 2003 estimated that Harris Township would add another 2,100 residents by 2030 which, assuming 2.65 residents per household, would equate to nearly 800 new dwelling units. Harris Township has the option of spreading these new housing units over the entire township, thus adding to sprawl, or as recommended in the Comprehensive Plan, concentrating the units within the Regional Growth Boundary, served by public sewer and CATA bus lines, reducing vehicles on our roads.
Does Harris Township desire a resident base with a diverse income or do we wish to concentrate on large-lot developments? As we have done in the past, I believe that Harris Township should appeal to families with varied income levels and respond by providing some housing options suitable for lower and middle-income families.
