I'd like to share my 'big, big' dream for Mason City, (I have so many dreams for my hometown, but this will likely take the longest and most work). I'd like to rejuvenate the near-central 'donut' of housing stock encircling downtown with affordable, efficient family homes--allowing our current residents with working-class wages to have stable long-term housing. The 'circle' neighborhoods are filled with large older derelict homes that may appear cheap to purchase, but are beyond the capacity of most of our wage-earners to rehabilitate or maintain. They may have asbestos or other major issues that make selling or renovating them impractical. As a result, they rot--and often, the families living in these homes are trapped with utility bills that are an enormous burden. However, with such a beautiful downtown, into which so much has been invested, it would be a shame to allow this situation to continue.
Don't get me wrong--every home that could be restored and preserved, especially in a historic district, should be. I love old homes. However, I realize that some are simply beyond repair, or may not have been built quite so well in the first place. Our community has quite a few 'white-tagged' buildings--ones that are no longer deemed habitable. Fairly often, people still inhabit them regardless. One of them is across the street. The owner is desperate to get enough to pay off her debt on it, but it's more than the house is worth.
Don't get me wrong--every home that could be restored and preserved, especially in a historic district, should be. I love old homes. However, I realize that some are simply beyond repair, or may not have been built quite so well in the first place. Our community has quite a few 'white-tagged' buildings--ones that are no longer deemed habitable. Fairly often, people still inhabit them regardless. One of them is across the street. The owner is desperate to get enough to pay off her debt on it, but it's more than the house is worth.
I would like to form a coalition to replace these homes with efficient, easy to maintain homes that allow for reasonable urban density as well as home ownership. I think in some places, it might make the most sense to introduce a small (3-4) row of 3 bedroom townhomes, with garages, front porches, and a bit of backyard privacy.
I think a mix of allowing people to purchase these townhomes via traditional means (i.e., a mortgage) and a graduated ownership program for those with a good rental payment history but unable to qualify for traditional mortgages would be wise. I would like a way to offer families who would like the option to buy out their crumbling homes and re-house them in these new homes, and then putting those homes or land back into the program. I would like to offer shared home maintenance.
I think a mix of allowing people to purchase these townhomes via traditional means (i.e., a mortgage) and a graduated ownership program for those with a good rental payment history but unable to qualify for traditional mortgages would be wise. I would like a way to offer families who would like the option to buy out their crumbling homes and re-house them in these new homes, and then putting those homes or land back into the program. I would like to offer shared home maintenance.
I've seen similar programs at work in other communities where I have served, and I think we could bring this to Mason City as well.
I know we'll need to build a coalition representing multiple sectors within our community--families, faith leaders, local government, social service agencies, civic groups and other non-profit organizations, builders, businesses, etc. However, I am hopeful that as other communities have learned to do this, we might be able to do this, too.
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