The Town’s decision to approve $4.05 million of SPET funds to support the Nelson Drive neighborhood ensures that new deed-restricted homes will be built soon. As a pro-homes advocacy group, we look forward to welcoming neighbors to Nelson Drive and recognize that when supportive voices outweigh efforts to derail the homes our community needs, we are all better off. 

ShelterJH engaged in this process because there was an opportunity for the Town Council to provide greater value to the public, as experts on the Housing Supply Board discussed. While the Town Councilors ultimately chose to approve this request, it was important for us to advocate for an option that could have stretched public dollars further. 

Voter support for public investment in housing solutions made this decision possible. We are heartened that our grassroots campaign supporting these SPET funds in 2022 contributed to this project. We hope this moment opens the door to more creative, proactive approaches in the future that fully embrace the Town Council’s fiduciary responsibility to maximize long-term affordability and impact.

As the project moves ahead, the County Commission has yet to make a decision on the Housing Trust’s identical request for County SPET funds. We hope County Commissioners negotiate creatively and evaluate this request alongside other investment options to maximize the public’s return.

ShelterJH will continue to show up, ask hard questions, and push for the best possible outcomes for our community. This decision moves us forward and also reminds us that we should continually seek opportunities to be ambitious and financially responsible as we address our housing crisis together.