HomeMy WebLinkAboutA004 - Email from Ken Platt dated May 20, 2018 (3620 Woodland) AFFORDABLE HOUSING and HARDSHIPS
<' Platt, Kenneth B [V MPM] to: AmesCityCounciI@city.ames.ia.us 05/20/2018 10:21 PM
1. The 6 near-campus neighborhoods contain an abundance of affordable single family residences.
The increased cost of housing created by rental property speculators in these neighborhoods is an
obstacle for young families and others of modest means to purchase these homes at reasonable prices
These folks are left with the choice of finding affordable housing outside of the Ames school district, or
acquiring housing in a rental market in which rents are significantly increasing.
This not only causes a hardship for young families seeking housing in Ames, but also adversely affects
the Ames school district by lowering the student pool.
2. The proposed ordinance will stabilize these communities and provide affordable housing for both
young families and folks of modest means. Rental caps are working in other communities.
Call, as I did, the communities where these ordinances are in effect, e.g. Winona, MN, State College, PA,
East Lansing, MI, etc. Rental cap ordinances are working in these communities.
3. It is urgent that the Council acts promptly to prevent neighborhoods such as Old Edwards, Oak Wood
Forest and others from becoming further unbalanced from the current efforts of rental property
speculators to acquire and convert single famly residences into rental units which is increasing at an
alarming rate.
4. When the Council considers possible hardships please think of the entire community.
An advantage given to one may be a disadvantage for another. For example, if the homes adjacent to
yours were permitted to become rentals, would it be a hardship for you especially if they were not well
maintained, or if they were frequently rented to groups of individuals who were transient and did not
share similar community values?
Respectfully submitted,
Ken Platt
3620 Woodland St.