Housing affordability remains an important issue in Montgomery County as house prices and the cost of living continue to rise, writes Rachel Ravina for The Times Herald.

To find solutions, Montco 30% Project recently hosted a panel for local government officials and residents at the Reformed Church of Ascension in West Norriton.

“It is a huge, huge problem. We’re losing the ability to have folks live and work here in Montgomery County,” said state Representative Napoleon Nelson, D-154^th District.

Montco 30% Project co-director Mike Hays presented a few options that could keep people from being priced out of the area including accessory dwelling units, smaller residential buildings that are built on the same property as a primary residence, and inclusionary zoning which encourages developers to set aside some housing units to be sold or rented at below-market prices.

Panel speakers also raised concerns over the growing homelessness crisis in the county, exacerbated by the closing of the Coordinated Homeless Outreach Center in Norristown and more middle-income residents being in danger of losing their homes.

Royersford Mayor Alex Metricarti said that one of the biggest roadblocks to building more affordable housing is the strong opposition from residents often referred to as “NIMBY” or “Not In My Backyard.”

Read more about the housing affordability in Montgomery County in The Times Herald.

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