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Inquiry will study housing issues across three counties

 

POLK COUNTY-At the Polk County Board of Commissioners meeting on Monday, the Board approved a resolution in support of a Housing Study performed in Polk County.

The resolution was organized by Planning/Economic Development Director Cathy Ruth and Alan Toney, Community & Economic Development Director of the Foothills Regional Commission. It aims to address the housing issues in western North Carolina. The housing study will be funded by Dogwood Health Trust of Asheville and will be conducted in Polk, Rutherfordton and McDowell counties.

“The last four years have seen a true housing crisis. We’ve seen it in terms of price, but also no rental availability,” said Toney. “Just over the span of four years, we’ve seen median home prices increase by 35%.” 

The survey will study the state of housing in each county in terms of the quality of both ownership and rentals and hopefully lead to the development of a long-term project to improve housing conditions based on historical growth trends.

“We’re also going to be working with the towns, Saluda, Tryon and Columbus, about their unique housing situation and housing needs,” Toney stated to the Board. “So we’re really excited to work with you on this.”

The motion to approve the resolution as stated was passed unanimously.