Questions for Mr. Shedd

As someone who spoke in favor of Dunham Court admitting “no expertise” in housing development at the time but nonetheless authoring a series on the subject for our local paper now, one question I hope Jeff Shedd answers - now that he’s done some research - is whether he wishes to amend his remarks.

Is Dunham Court affordable housing? The Cape Elizabeth zoning ordinance defines affordable housing as a mix of moderate and low income households. The Comprehensive Plan - the legal foundation for land use regulation -  says affordable housing is “for households whose income does not exceed 80% of the median income for the region,” which is $76K.

The so-called “Town Center Affordable Housing Amendments” to enable Dunham Court that will be on the ballot in November drastically alters the zoning ordinance to allow for multiple Dunham Court-like projects containing 49 one-bedroom apartments restricted to low-income households known as “Section 8 Housing” and will cost taxpayers millions of dollars.

Is Dunham Court workforce housing? A person making more than $42K will be excluded, therefore virtually no person working for the Town of Cape Elizabeth, our biggest employer, will be eligible to live there. 

What reason is there for developing a massive building of 49 1-bedroom units of low-income housing in the center of a town where less than 4% of people live in poverty other than to maximize profit for the developer?

To help Portland? Surely if it’s to “do good” we can do better. Where is the research that says large privately-owned low-income housing projects are good for families or communities? 

Why should Cape residents -- already “cost burdened” by housing expenses according to consultants -- raise taxes to build bleak housing across the street from our schools that will exclude kids and teachers?

Doesn’t it make more sense to replicate Colonial Village -- a beautiful example of a neighborhood of affordable multiplex housing in the RA zone that includes market, moderate income and low income households -- with Community Housing right up the street? 

Community Housing, Plan B, is one locally-sourced solution to the housing shortage that will allow for the development of affordable housing for families and our local workforce because it includes households with moderate income and homes not “units.” Community Housing will cost substantially less because we own the land and can collect rent that’s fair and family-friendly, not free.  

Community Housing is about democracy, neighborhoods with front doors, gardens and opportunity for families. There is nothing wicked about it.  

It is our right as citizens to decide where, what kind, and for whom publicly subsidized housing should be developed, not the planners, consultants and unelected bureaucrats who don’t live here, vote or pay taxes. If we want to build affordable housing for families and the local workforce, we can and we should because spending public funds on raising healthy kids and supporting our local economy is a good investment.