George,

I have seen the ads running in your newspaper by Housing Virginia that support the development of more affordable housing for members of the Charlottesville area workforce who work here but are unable to afford to live here.

As executive director of the Piedmont Housing Alliance, I know first hand how difficult it is for service workers whom the Charlottesville area communities depend on - like police officers, firefighters, teachers, daycare workers, paramedics, etc. to find housing that is affordable in the very community they serve. The annual income of these workers can't keep pace with the increasing cost of real estate, forcing them to find housing further and further away from where they work. While we ask these people to better our community by being employed here, we do very little (given our wealth) to help them buy or locate in our neighborhoods.

Even though Piedmont Housing Alliance is a regional non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of low-to-moderate income families living within the City of Charlottesville and surrounding counties and has the capacity to provide opportunities for first-time home buyers, much much more needs to be done.

According to the Charlottesville Area Association of Realtors, of the 453 homes on the market as of March 9 in Albemarle County and Charlottesville, the median listing price in Albemarle County is $549,250 and $269,000 in Charlottesville. The average teacher's starting salary in our area can only support a first mortgage of approximately $130,000.

This community needs to increase its support in creating more affordable housing options, the Charlottesville area will benefit economically and socially by attracting a qualified workforce in these fields to our region. Developing more affordable housing options and financial tools will give our community service providers the chance to live where they choose to work. We can and should do more!

Stu Armstrong (electronic mail, May 4, 2005)
Executive Director
Piedmont Housing Alliance

Editor's Note: See also, Current Market Analysis.