In addition to the many points above, Harrisonburg City used 10% of itsARPA federal funding related to Covid, that is $2 million, to support new construction of affordable housing in Harrisonburg. Half went to Habitat for Humanity to incentivize the construction of 11 homes. Half went to the Housing Authority to incentivize the construction of 16 apartments with vouchers for homeless persons. this is making a huge dent in the problem of access to housing for middle and lower income people. Sam Nickels
In terms of positive steps toward making Harrisonburg (or any place) a stronger town:
o Surplus city land should be LEASED and not sold. This allows for development but allows any future increase in land value (created by the community) to come back to the community through higher lease payments.
o The city could implement a Tax Shift whereby the property tax rate applied to privately created building values would be reduced while the rate applied to publicly created land values would be increased. The lower rate on buildings would make them cheaper to construct, improve and maintain over their useful lives. The higher rate applied to land values would help keep land prices lower. Thus, without new spending or revenue loss, this Tax Shift could make both buildings and land more affordable. As a bonus, this approach encourages infill development and reduces urban sprawl.
In addition to the many points above, Harrisonburg City used 10% of itsARPA federal funding related to Covid, that is $2 million, to support new construction of affordable housing in Harrisonburg. Half went to Habitat for Humanity to incentivize the construction of 11 homes. Half went to the Housing Authority to incentivize the construction of 16 apartments with vouchers for homeless persons. this is making a huge dent in the problem of access to housing for middle and lower income people. Sam Nickels
Great points, Sam!
In terms of positive steps toward making Harrisonburg (or any place) a stronger town:
o Surplus city land should be LEASED and not sold. This allows for development but allows any future increase in land value (created by the community) to come back to the community through higher lease payments.
o The city could implement a Tax Shift whereby the property tax rate applied to privately created building values would be reduced while the rate applied to publicly created land values would be increased. The lower rate on buildings would make them cheaper to construct, improve and maintain over their useful lives. The higher rate applied to land values would help keep land prices lower. Thus, without new spending or revenue loss, this Tax Shift could make both buildings and land more affordable. As a bonus, this approach encourages infill development and reduces urban sprawl.