Not only are government workers less stressed about their jobs given the job security and higher pay they enjoy relative to workers in the private sector, legislators in Chapel Hill, NC now want to force builders to provide them affordable housing in the most desirable neighborhoods. This of course drives up housing prices for everyone else.
Garrett Davis, a planner for Chapel Hill, said he would like to live in town but can't afford it.
"(I'm) just looking at the mortgage calculator on the (Multiple Listing Service) site. That's kind of what's kept it off the short list so far," Davis said.
Chapel Hill officials said almost 47 percent of town employees live more than 10 miles from the center of town, including some as far away as Burlington. Only 3 percent live within a mile of the intersection of Franklin and Columbia streets, officials said.
In return for dedicating part of projects to affordable housing, developers would be allowed to build bigger or more units.
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[Loryn] Clark, [housing neighborhood services manager for Chapel Hill,] said a committee that studied the issue feels the town is within its rights. There has also been a suggestion to give Chapel Hill employees the first crack at the affordable homes. [Emphasis mine.]
Maybe next they can force grocery stores to provide them food at half price as a requirement for obtaining permits and licenses.
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