A town hall meeting on housing on Sept. 22 focused on solutions.
“Tonight is going to be about solutions, answering questions and connecting you with resources,” Erie Mayor Daria Devlin said in welcoming about 40 community members to the evening event at East Middle School.
The meeting was hosted by the City of Erie, Erie County and community partners. Twelve government and community organizations, including the Housing Authority of the City of Erie, Erie County Redevelopment Authority and St. Martin Center, participated in a resources fair during the event. City and county housing, code enforcement and other staff were on hand to answer questions.
Overviews of tenant and homeowner rights, responsibilities and recourses to resolve disputes were presented in breakout sessions during the town hall.
Government and community organizations offer information on housing resources during a town hall meeting at East Middle School on Sept. 22.
The event was a first focused on education, said Lori Radder Spicer, Devlin’s chief of staff.
“We’ve listened to concerns about housing and other topics in quarterly community engagement meetings and have heard that a lot of folks don’t know about resources available to them, Spicer said. “This is our first real education-focused event to make people aware of what’s available.”
Housing studies underway
Quality and affordable housing, both for renters and owners, are significant concerns in the Erie region.
Erie County is completing a new Countywide Comprehensive Housing Plan addressing housing supply, affordability, demographics, market trends and barriers to quality, affordable housing. TPMA, an Indianapolis-based consulting firm, is leading the process.
From earlier this year: ‘People are having a hard time.’ Residents weigh in on Erie housing
Public comments were accepted during four open houses held throughout the county. Participants in the town hall housing meeting also were invited to comment on housing needs.
“We’re nearing the conclusion of our analysis,” said TPMA’s Brett Wiler. “Tonight is the last step in our community engagement process.”
The county plan, including housing-related strategies, is expected to be completed late this year.
The city has hired Mullin & Lonergan Associates of Pittsburgh to study similar issues and trends and prepare a long-term affordable housing plan.
About the town hall: Erie-area citizens urged to voice housing concerns at Sept. 22 meeting
The plan will include an analysis of how much quality owner-occupied and rental housing is available for people of various incomes.
The city plan and recommendations also are expected to be completed by year’s end.
Building stronger neighborhoods
The housing town hall will help the community build better neighborhoods, said Erie City Council President Tyler Titus.
“I hope community members here tonight will be better able to connect with local resources, learn how to improve their homes and become a strong neighbor,” Titus said.
“It’s also about understanding others’ perspectives for improved and collaborative relationships.”
Contact Valerie Myers at vmyers@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Erie housing town hall focuses on solutions, resources for residents