The real estate bubble may have burst but many Portlanders still find homeownership beyond their reach. Even with today's lower housing costs, affordable housing for a family earning the median family income ($66,900) would be priced at $200,000 - a price limited to very few homes currently available, and even fewer at that price with the space available for a family of four. For low income families earning less than 60 percent of the median family income, the opportunities are nearly non-existent. Is it important to make home ownership available? How do we close the affordable housing gap in Portland?
This week on Voices from the Edge, Jo Ann and Dave talk with Lila Alvarez, Community Relations Coordinator for the Portland Community Land Trust, about how affordable housing - or lack of it - affects the community and what strategies her organization has adopted to put home ownership within reach of more Portlanders. Is home ownership important to you? Have you found Portland housing beyond your reach? Join the conversation this Thursday at 8 am.
The conversation doesn't end when the program does. You can join in additional discussion of the week's issue on our blog at kboo.fm/voicesfromtheedge (click on the "blog" tab). You'll find additional information, important links, comments from other listeners and commentary from Jo Ann and Dave. Have a question for our guests, but can't call in during the program? Post your questions on line so we can make them a part of the Voices discussion.