Montco 30% Project to Host Housing Affordability Panel

Rachel Ravina | The Reporter•

Attendees of a June 6, 2023 Norristown council meeting hold signs related to homeless encampments in Norristown.

Issues surrounding housing affordability remain a concern for many advocates across Montgomery County looking for solutions.

The Montco 30% Project, a homeless and housing focused nonprofit, is hoping to bring people together to brainstorm during a panel on Thursday at the Reformed Church of the Ascension in West Norriton Township.

The idea has been in the works for about four weeks, according to Montco 30% Project Co-founder Mike Hays, who said the forum could serve as a good place for a conversation with the public and newly elected leadership in Montgomery County.

"I think sometimes for the local officials, they want to take action, but they’re not quite sure where to start, and so the idea for this forum is really to collaborate, to bring everyone together, share some policy ideas, some things that have been tried in other parts of Pennsylvania, and also throughout the country to try to put a dent in our affordability issues,” Hays told MediaNews Group.

Hays said he would like to see 100 people come out from 7-8:30 p.m. to the church, 1700 W. Main St. Along with area residents, Hays expected attendance from planning commission members, municipal officials as well as those elected to various boards of supervisors, commissions and councils.

Hays said he expects participation from various geographic areas of the county, with representatives from Red Hill, Telford, as well as Lower Merion, and East and West Norriton townships confirming their attendance.

"It’s really going to be a diverse group that really doesn’t get to gather and talk to each other that often,” Hays said, adding that "we definitely have an opportunity. We have a couple of guest speakers planned, but we really want to have a good dialogue with everybody there.”

Presentations, guest speakers and general discussion is expected. It’s not yet known what topics will be discussed during the Thursday evening forum, but Hays said he’d like to talk about accessory dwelling units, inclusionary zoning or other construction practices to offer up more options for affordable housing.

But most importantly, he’d like to find ways to make homes and apartments more attainable in an area where affordable housing stock is lacking.

"I think the biggest issue that we really haven’t done well on a national level or a state level is that we’ve left most of housing up to the private market, and that generally works pretty well … during prosperous times,” Hays said.

"But what I think we’ve seen over the past maybe five years or so, if not more, is that more action is needed, maybe more proactive ideas to try to make sure that in all of our communities, that our housing serves people at all income levels,” Hays continued, as he’s observed "a huge gap for those who earn low-to-moderate incomes.”

Hays said he then hopes that leadership will deliver any ideas produced during the Thursday evening forum to their respective boroughs, townships and municipalities.

"I just really hope that it’s a worthwhile two hours on a cold evening to inspire a little bit of action at the local level,” Hays said.

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