By Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz
Erie County, like the rest of the nation, faces a housing shortage. Story after story shows that the public and private sectors need to be creative in addressing this crisis. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to getting more units built at reasonable costs, but prohibiting construction of all or certain types of housing is not an option.
Public and private leaders must embrace a comprehensive approach to housing. Some local municipalities are taking counterproductive approaches, instituting or threatening moratoriums on building anything besides single-family homes. Western New York is at a 40-year low in the construction of single-family homes; there are barriers government can address to expedite approvals, but the solution cannot be, “Don’t build housing.” Housing development is not a zero-sum game.
Recently, the Hamburg IDA publicly embraced multi-unit housing, bucking the view of some in local leadership who believe communities should only support single-family homes. In Hamburg, Census data shows that nearly 30% of housing units are multi-unit structures, and nearly a quarter of households are renters, and Hamburg is not alone.
In Lancaster, which has implemented a moratorium for almost all new housing, 20% of households are renters and over a quarter of dwellings are multi-unit. This means a significant percentage of both towns’ residents already reside in multi-unit dwellings.
Last year, I attended a housing discussion in Washington, D.C. where Karl Eckhart, VP of the National Association of Home Builders, surprised the attendees when he implored local leaders to approve multi-unit housing construction.
He noted that the only way our nation can address the housing shortage is if local governments support the construction of all forms of housing: single-family, multi-unit, senior, and others – such as tiny homes. If the trade organization that represents homebuilders recognizes the fact that more multi-unit housing is needed, so should all of us.
As public servants, we need to take forward-thinking and responsible approaches. Dense neighborhoods and communities – when planned thoughtfully and strategically – are good. They provide a net benefit to local communities and our overall region. Well-planned developments attract residents, stimulate economic activity, and provide efficiencies for public infrastructure.
Permitting different forms of housing development does not take away from another form of development. Single-family home construction is at a historic low in our area; there is no reason to further stifle the construction of other types of housing.
Increasing our housing stock benefits local municipalities and our region. My administration has prioritized regional approaches, which lower public costs and benefit all our communities, and I ask local leaders to do the same.
Tackling the housing shortage and housing affordability crises will take smart policy and a forward-looking approach. My administration stands ready and willing to work with any public and private partners who share this strategic, collaborative vision.
Mark Poloncarz is the Erie County Executive.