Affordable Housing Task Force delivers recommendations; council approves new specialist position

Town Manager Jody Miller and Task Force co-chair Council member Vance presented the final recommendations of Garner's Affordable Housing Task Force on Feb. 3.

The report covered three focus areas: resource investment, partnerships and collaboration, and community engagement. Resource investment recommendations included creating a permanent Affordable Housing Advisory Committee, dedicating staffing resources and leveraging partnerships. Miller said the council has approved and posted a housing and community development specialist position and that interviews are underway. "We would love to have someone on board in the next 60 days or so," Miller said.

Partnership recommendations emphasized continuing work with affordable-housing developers, creating a housing fund to accept contributions or developer cash-outs, and working with organizations such as Habitat for Humanity and Preserving Home to preserve existing housing and develop for-sale affordable units within market-rate developments. The task force also recommended targeted preservation work using data-driven mapping and outreach to identify naturally occurring affordable housing.

On community engagement, the task force urged a listening-first approach, prioritized sessions with faith leaders, tailored messaging to diverse constituency groups (including workers who live outside town limits but use Garner services), and annual public reporting on housing data and programs.

Council members praised the task force for its work but several—especially Council member Dellinger—urged faster implementation of community engagement and earlier formation of the advisory committee. The new staff position and an advisory committee were identified as near-term steps for the spring retreat and for follow-up action.