Report highlights stark contrast in the housing market, from east to west in the county.
Washtenaw County's housing affordability report is a tale of two cities.
The new report highlights the stark divide in the housing market -- as well as segregation in income, education, race, and opportunity -- between the east and west sides of the county. To combat the divide, the report calls for over 3,000 new, non-student affordable rental units in Ann Arbor and Pittsfield township, over the next 20 years.
Mary Jo Callan is the Director of the Office of Community and Economic Development. Callan says to reach this goal, the private sector will need help from local government. Callen stated a critical eyes needs to be cast on all manner of tools. She says "funding is a really critical one, but zoning, land use planning, and regulation are others."
The report also recommend efforts to increase the demand for market-rate units in Ypsilanti and Ypsilanti township.
Like 89.1 WEMU on Facebook and follow us on Twitter— Andrew Cluley is the Ann Arbor beat reporter, and anchor for 89.1 WEMU News. Contact him at 734.487.3363 or email him acluley@emich.edu.