Ferguson Township considers ‘legacy’ affordable housing program

Although workforce housing is required in the township, keeping these units as affordable housing in the long term remains a discussion.

Discussion of creating a “legacy” affordable housing program dates back to April, planning and zoning Director Ray Stolinas said. The Board of Supervisors at the time determined a legacy program would be desirable, administered through a third party that would keep a housing inventory.

The current workforce housing ordinance as written is “once and done” in the township’s zoning ordinance, township Manager Mark Kunkle said. A buyer qualifies for affordable housing and moves in. After that, when it goes to the next buyer, it goes at a market rate.

The idea would be to keep an inventory of units in a development master plan, he said, so the unit, though it may be worth more due to inflation, would remain affordable for the next buyer.

Workforce housing is defined by the township as “housing affordable to someone earning between 80 and 120 percent of the median housing income range in Centre County according to census data,” Stolinas said.

According to a 2014 survey, Ferguson Township housing values range about $245,700, he said. In 2015, workforce income within the median housing income ranged between $40,268 and $60,403. Workforce housing prices averaged $128,203.

The Ferguson Township Planning Commission discussed a “legacy” amendment on Jan. 25, he said, and was largely not in favor of recommending the amendment for adoption at this time. Stolinas reported the commission was “skeptical” of the amendment.

“There’s a supervisor in this seat who could use such a thing,” Vice Chairman Peter Buckland said, indicating himself. “I am not skeptical.”

Chairman Steve Miller said the question of if a legacy program is needed is answered by the fact affordable housing is required to be built. The discussion was not if the program was needed, but rather how to manage it.

Planning Commission alternate Bill Keough, who said he was not speaking on behalf of the commission, said the commission spoke of appreciation of homes and how these legacy properties would be considered when appraisers are trying to establish the value of a neighborhood or home.

He also questioned if duplexes and condominiums would be included as legacy homes in the future.

“On first blush, and I can only speak for myself,” he said, “it appeared to be awfully onerous in terms of paperwork.”

While no official action was needed, the board agreed the Planning Commission should lay out its concerns in an efficient manner for the board to consider. Once the board reviews their questions, a joint work session would be in order.

This story was originally published February 1, 2016 at 10:09 PM with the headline "Ferguson Township considers ‘legacy’ affordable housing program."