City should use federal funds for affordable housing

It is time for the city to step up and do something about affordable housing.

We are all experiencing the lack of service workers at our restaurants. Affordable housing volunteer plans and required percentages of units to be affordable, have not worked.

The city should develop its own affordable housing co-op in the form of a city-businesses coalition to create rentable studio and one-bedroom units. The land should be purchased, or if owned by the city, designated for housing and utility services installed.

As a quick start, mobile, modular, even “tiny homes,” as housing be moved on-site for replacement with regular apartments at a later date. Many business owners are willing to work in cooperation with the city to financially develop this plan. Use of all or part of the $2 million of COVID relief money would cover a great portion of the cost involved. At the very least, create a committee to explore the potential of this idea.

Toby Scott, Whitefish