County can't afford more public housing

To The Eagle:

The Eagle Point apartments are a great example of public housing in Wahkiakum County. Before the county provided a low interest loan, there were promises made. The local property taxes would be paid on the million dollar project, they now pay based on a $53,000 assessed value of the land prior to construction. Not much support of schools, police and fire.

The project was developed with half the units getting low rents and half market rate. The market rate units sat vacant. Solution, project based vouchers. This means if you want to rent here, you get a rent voucher ahead of someone who has been waiting for help for more than a year. When you own the project, you can make the rules.

Can Wahkiakum County afford more public housing? I don't think so.

Bill Hallanger

Longview