Well, it took awhile, but the Summit Association of REALTORS (SAR) voted last Thursday to support the ballot initiative to fund the Summit Housing Authority (SHA). This vote was important. Vital even. It was the one key organization left hanging. The SHA determined that it needed the support of all the local communities, the Builders Association and the County to have any chance to get this initiative passed. All other entities had checked in with support. But, the SAR had continued the matter at its last meeting because the board determined it did not have enough information at the time. So, everyone else waited with baited breath - for us. For an organization that, in my estimation, should have been ahead of the crowd. I have always felt that we have, if nothing else, a moral obligation to support affordable housing. SHA provides down payment assistance, education and other services for those who could not otherwise afford to purchase a home. We are currently 2175 units short, and we'll need 3,000 more by 2010. Currently, police and medical center employees, for example, have serious trouble getting into housing, partly because wages have only increased by 6.2% per year compared to 16% per year for real property. An individual or family must make $77,000 a year to qualify for a loan for a $315,000 property - which computes to an average condo in Breckenridge. The initiative will provide a stable tax base to support SHA along with an impact fee on homes over 5,000 square feet. It desperately needs out support. __________________________________________ Want to buy or sell a SnowHome in Summit County? Please visit our website. All the property listings are there. When you live or visit here, you will know "Snow Place Like Home". | 
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