Thoughts On Housing, Community

Jan. 4, 2023 Editor, The News-Gazette: Thanks for keeping us informed on the proposed new apartment building in town.

I’m not opposed to modern architecture but concerned we continue building more housing likely affordable to wealthier people or maybe few of the dwindling middle class.

Recent readings suggest, as imagined, there is often not an actual housing shortage but rather great numbers of houses bought up for rental, investments, second or third homes, unoccupied for long periods of time or waiting to sell when market goes crazy. Many houses once designed for larger families can be often are redesigned for multiple smaller dwellings. Innovative housing concepts, such as Cohousing, offer smart design, smaller living units, with shared common areas, common grounds, gardens, walking paths. Maybe even a sort of affordable housing to more of us is the Kendal model, with mixed age community.

In an age where many complain about loneliness or lack of community, it seems large unattached houses only add to the problem of not getting us out and around to find out who those neighbors really are, what the existing community is in need of, experience beauty of surrounding nature. Participating in what happens outside the house, could have a positive effect on many of us. Modern new housing itself, regardless of design, may not be a big advantage to the city if the city is not a place people care to live in, due to maybe many factors, besides housing stock. If there were one thing I’d put money behind, if I had any, it would be a full service new Y complex. Maybe extended bus system taking folks out to nature areas, less personal driving required. More commons, more outdoor activities, more exploring.

DEVAN MALORE Lexington