There is no question that I am a broken record on certain subjects… “affordable housing” is one of those subjects for sure.
I am not opposed to building affordable housing, quite the contrary, I am all for it and support those willing to take on such a project. What I am opposed to is what this county deems “affordable.”
The west end is proposing building an apartment complex for employees with the word “affordable” attached to it. A one-bedroom apartment rented for $850 that is less than 600 square feet of space. Come on, folks…
I recently saw an income sheet on two of the larger resorts in the west end supporting this project… wow! I need to move out that way… good paying jobs. The housekeepers make $31K per year! And the jobs classified above housekeepers do pretty darn well too. My question, does that amount include their current housing by employers? Insurance? Etc. Heck, some of our teachers don’t make what the housekeepers out that way make. Good for them.
My next question is, why does the county want to be building employee housing? And if they do, and are truly committed, why not build “affordable” homes too?
There is pride in ownership and ownership prevents the revolving door syndrome we see in this county. Homes that are more like 800 to 1,000 square feet and two bedrooms. Many say it cannot be done here because materials and labor cost are so high. OK, then build modular (which will make many scream because we are not using local contractors!). We cannot have it both ways. If no one wants to give in and get less for a project (which I know there are some that are willing), then we have no choice but to buy pre-built homes. Grand Portage is doing exactly that and for $70K completed two bedrooms, one level, on grade. OK, so it can be done.
This is a fact: employees keep our county running and no matter how many people we invite or coax here to enjoy what we offer we cannot provide good service to them unless we have an adequate amount of employees which we do not. End of story.
I have asked before but if someone out there needs a true survey of what “affordable” is let me take the survey, or at least let me hand it out to the employees in all businesses, in all parts of this county. I guarantee the result will spell out that $850 per month for a one bedroom that you do not own is not “affordable.”
Anna Hamilton
Grand Marais
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