Lebanon, Hartford lead the way for housing
Over the past few years, the Valley News has published stories about how Lebanon and Hartford have put underutilized, municipally-owned property to use by contracting with reliable developers or experienced nonprofit organizations to create homes and rental units affordable for working families.
Some have argued that increased housing density leads to higher incidents of criminal wrongdoing, traffic congestion and increased school costs. But our region has a strong safety net of nonprofit organizations that address the causes of criminal activity while our transit system allows residents to leave their cars at home. And rising school costs can’t be attributable to higher enrollment when families are having fewer children.
When you hear your selectboard is discussing plans to donate property on town water and sewer lines to a nonprofit housing developer, remember the person helping to care for an elderly neighbor needs a place to live. Speak up and support your elected officials as they work out the details.