Archive: Business & Technology

Better Housing for Tompkins County held a forum for community leaders Tuesday morning to update them on the need for affordable housing and related services in Tompkins County.  Speakers included Tompkins County Legislature Chair Martha Robertson, Tompkins County Area Development (TCAD) Vice President Marth Armstrong, Ithaca College President Thomas Rochon, Cornell University President David Skorton, and Better Housing Executive Director John Spence.  Cayuga Radio Group's Geoff Dunn interviewed Better Housing clients.

In 2006 the county undertook an affordable housing needs assessment that showed that nearly 14,000 workers commuted to work in Tompkins County.  This led the county to try to encourage affordable housing construction at a rate of about 400 houses per year.  While that goal has not been met consistently Better Housing has partnered with other agencies to encourage such development (see story on Village Apartments ).


Affordable housing is defined as housing that accounts for up to 30% of a family's income.  That includes mortgage or rent, insurance, taxes, and utilities.  Robertson said that of the 14,000 who commute to work in the county half would live here if they could.

TCAD also published a strategic plan in 2006 underlining the importance of affordable worker housing as a way of attracting business to the community.  Both college presidents underscored the importance of affordable housing to their ability to hire.

"As an employer it is important to be able to show housing stock," Rochon said.


Armstrong said there is a shortage of low income service workers in Tompkins County, and this problem will only get worse as newer smaller generations move to fill these jobs.  She said affordable housing is only available for 28% of workers in the county.

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