Workgroup on
Housing – Homeownership
Doug Kohl, Moderator
Nancy Cook, Resource Delegate
Workgroup Members:
Kathleen Barlow, Delores Jean Bell, Jerry Black, Marie Black, Art Blair, Sonya Bukus, Ted
Curtis, Beth Delagrange, Cece Fox, C. L. Franklin, Trenton Gill, Alice Lovett, Rick
Merolla and Jeannette Ruggierio
In very much a "chicken and egg" type of way, quality housing is a key
component in the quality of life equation for any community. The following goals and
priorities are important for maintaining a strong housing and homeownership base in the
City of Akron into the future.
GOALS
Work to Maintain and Improve the Public School System
A favorite discussion topic of parents in many Akron neighborhoods when it comes to
staying in Akron is the question of the continued quality of the public school system. The
two issues – homeownership and public education – are inextricably linked. You
cannot have success in one area without success in the other.
Schools are very important and linked to housing very closely. We must
focus attention on quality schools to keep homeownership viable in the City of Akron.
Strong Downtown Development Will Be Key to Continued Success in
Maintaining Homeownership in the City
Downtown is very important. A growing, improving downtown area, while not critical, is
certainly important to attract new ownership to the city and prevent movement to suburbs
and surrounding communities.
Saving Houses and Support the Neighborhood Feel
Do not mess with the beautiful housing in Akron. Give young people nice neighborhoods and
refurbish homes. This will also take the pressure off of suburban areas where new homes
are being built on clear-cut lots. If we create up to date and modern amenities in older,
established neighborhoods, we can help to stem the tide of suburban sprawl.
STRATEGIES
One of the strengths of Akron is the variety of housing available. This variety is evident
in both price and style of housing.
We need to assure a good supply of middle cost housing in order to keep
and attract young families to Akron.
What can we do that is creative? Florida has Celebration, a new planned
community that worked with schools, recreation, library, community services and
construction to build a state of the art planned community. Can this be done in Akron?
Access to Financing
Access to Financing for all income levels of residents will be important to the future of
the housing market. What other options are available for creative financing to promote
refurbishing and renovating homes and neighborhoods? Could block grants be another
possibility?
Assembling Parcels and Land Banking
Priority: We need to land bank parcels of property similar to what was done in the Lane
School and Wooster Avenue areas of the city. This provides the opportunity to re-develop
older neighborhoods and revitalize interest in older neighborhoods. Can we expand creative
development and financing strategies that are being used in Akron to Ellet, Kenmore, and
Firestone Park.
In addition, attention must be paid to expanding parkland or
playground areas. The Ohio & Erie Canal National Heritage Corridor runs through the
heart of Akron and is an example of the important cultural and natural resource
conservation that we need to keep in front of us and will improve that value and
homeownership potential of the community. It embodies the notion of a lived-in landscape
and encourages the active use of the canal and its environments.
Aging Population
The aging of America is one of the most misunderstood housing segments in the country. Too
many developers and planners still look at older adult housing as assisted living, rather
than homes designed for the active, older adults or empty nester. The community who can
plan appropriately for this trend will have tremendous success.
Creative Use of Cluster Housing
We will need to take advantage of creative land use and take advantage of possible use of
cluster housing, saving maintenance costs and utility costs.
The cluster approach to housing is an excellent way to blend older and
younger housing.
Question: We have starter houses and high-end houses. What is in
between? What are we dong between the $50,000 and $150,000 price range?
Technology in Housing
People like "new" features in houses. A challenge in the future will be how to
preserve older housing and accommodate younger buyers interested in technology.
Younger people do not want to go into older houses with foundation
problems. These older foundations tend to lead to soggy, stinky basements. We will need to
help with this problem in the city.
Tax Breaks for Refurbishing Homes
We give tax breaks for "buying up" but no tax breaks for refurbishing and
remodeling. An incentive of this type may cause many families to consider staying within
the boundaries of the city rather than moving out of the city.
Downtown Housing and Homeownership
Encourage development of downtown housing. There are increasingly more cities that are
having success with housing in downtown areas, many with condominiums.
Summary
Do not lose the sense of neighborhood. Eventually people will rebel against the "back
deck/internet" society. By 2025 we may well gravitate back to nostalgia and return to
"communities of choice by neighborhood" where people will the sense of
community.
The following goals and priorities need to be kept in front of the
leadership:
- Access to financing.
- Assembling parcels of land and land banking should be a priority.
- Address the aging of America and the needs of this population.
- Explore the cluster approach to housing.
- Save older homes though incentives, creative financing, and tax breaks.
- Take actions that encourage the neighborhood feel.
- Schools will continue to be one of the most important factors in keeping and attracting
homeownership.
Draft: June 10, 2000
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