By Anthony Zitkus
August 25, 2008

Increasing access to affordable housing has become a top priority for many mayors across the country. Through the Ambassadors for Cities program, the U.S. Conference of Mayors’ Council for the New American City and the National Association of Realtors (NAR) recently recognized two mayors for their work with local realtor boards on expanding homeownership opportunities in their communities.

Asheville (NC) Mayor Terry Bellamy, who has made increasing access to affordable housing a central goal in her administration, was recognized for her efforts at a luncheon August 14. Bellamy and the Asheville Board of Realtors (ABR) have received a $5,000 grant to further their work together through the Ambassadors for Cities program.

Bellamy specifically spoke of the importance of making it possible for those who work in the city also to live in the city, especially those such as firefighters, teachers, and nurses who serve the community.

The city and ABR came together with more than a dozen other organizations to create the Mayor’s Affordable Housing Task Force. The group drafted a plan to promote affordable housing—the city’s first-ever strategy to address the issue.

Of North Carolina’s major cities, Asheville has the lowest median income but the second-highest average rent. As a result, more than 40 percent of renters and nearly one-third of homeowners have difficulty making ends meet when faced with the high cost of housing, forcing much of the city’s workforce to neighboring communities where housing is less expensive.

To meet these challenges, the plan recommends zoning changes, incentives for building affordable housing and redeveloping public housing, a free tax-preparation collaborative, an employer-assisted housing initiative, and an affordable housing public-awareness campaign.

Bowling Green (KY) Mayor Elaine Walker was recognized for helping provide homeownership education and foreclosure counseling services. On July 30, the city in conjunction with the Realtor Association of Southern Kentucky (RASK) was awarded the Ambassador for Cities designation and a $5,000 grant.

Through the homeownership education program, “Creating a Responsible Community,” Walker works with RASK, lenders, and nonprofits that strive to increase and sustain homeownership in their area. Raising homeownership rates and minimizing foreclosures are the primary goals of this program.

To achieve these goals, “Creating a Responsible Community” provides education and pre- and post-purchase financial counseling. This allows homeowners to review their mortgage terms and learn about potential risks that could lead to foreclosure. Participants of this program can also review their credit reports and receive credit counseling.

NAR president Dick Gaylord said, “We commend these groups for their unique approach to help Bowling Green residents not only gain access to homeownership, but also preserve it over the long term.”