Affordable Housing Summit held

Realtors, lenders, builders and many more came together today to find a solution to a growing problem in this region. The problem is the lack of affordable housing.

The Affordable Housing Summit Friday included panel discussions aimed to dispel myths on a wide array of topics, like housing ex-cons, safety in neighborhoods, land trusts and foreclosure prevention.

One organizer says it was a good turnout, but she would have liked to see more citizen participation.
Panelist Nia Perkins, an ex-con, came to shed light on the challenge of finding affordable housing.

Perkins said, “I can personally attest getting the ‘no’s, the ‘no’s the ‘no’s and finally receiving one ‘yes.’ So if someone can give me a chance, why can I not go back into the community and help someone else receive a ‘yes.'”

Perkins says she wants to tackle the challenge of finding affordable housing now so it isn’t a problem for future generations.

This was the second year for the summit. Organizers hope it becomes an annual event.