AFFORDABLE HOUSING

Recently the City of Sarasota held a Saturday morning symposium on affordable housing. During the introduction the audience was told that this was not a symposium to discuss what we already know which is housing prices are increasing drastically while wages are not. The audience was also told that this meeting is for people that want to "do" something and not for those that like to say what "they" should be doing because "they" were not in the room today. At the end of the symposium we were directed to fill out a form that stated exactly what we were willing to "do" to help with affordable housing in our city otherwise we would be unable to ever leave City Hall.

Listening to the different organizations and the volunteers express what they do and have to do to get affordable housing for people is truly humbling. I fully admired the work each group is doing to help the people in our community find affordable housing as well as the partnerships and help the City of Sarasota contributes to these organizations. We have a city lead by our commission that is dedicated to affordable housing and should be applauded for their efforts so far. We have groups not only helping families but also the elderly and handicapped.

Ultimately more help is needed and some speakers spoke from their heart saying you have to dig deep in your personal values to ask, "what meaningful can you contribute to help our community with affordable housing."

During the question and answer time, it seemed many people like to discuss the issue or complain about "them" not doing enough or the best statements being, "if "they" only did this". I promised on my slip at the end of the discussion to get someone 18 to register and vote, stay involved in my neighborhood association, drop off donations to the different organizations such as Goodwill, discuss with other property owners in Burns Square about adopting a house to do lawn and light work around a home for the elderly or disabled.

I asked the organizations to supply a list to the city, giving the locations of homes that need assistance, (therefore the money these organizations get can go to providing homes instead of lawn care) so the neighborhood associations could help by each adopting a home.

The list of speakers included Mike Jacobson (Habitat for Humanity & Rebuild Sarasota), Martina Guilfoil (Community Housing Trust), Laura Carter (GoodHomes), Jane Hindall (Office of Housing and Community Development), Carmen Valenti (Sarasota Housing Authority), Charley Richards (Coalition to Assist Supportive Living), Scott Eller (Coastal Renaissance), peter Routsis-Arroyo (Catholic Charities), Christine Filusch (Raymond James & Associates) and the moderator was Jaimie Ross (Affordable Housing Director in Tallahassee).

If you are interested in attending let me know, I think the city will hold another symposium in the near future.