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Kent County administrator Al Vandenberg on housing, homelessness and transit challenges
Summary
On a Talk of the County episode, Kent County administrator Al Vandenberg discussed the county’s growth and the pressing challenges of affordable housing, homelessness and fragmented transit service, and described local projects such as a proposed $400 million aquarium and new stadium plans.
Al Vandenberg, Kent County administrator, told listeners that rapid population growth and shifting land use are creating acute challenges for housing, homelessness and transportation across Kent County.
"We don't have enough land for the manufacturing growth that's trying to come our way," Vandenberg said, linking a constrained land supply to limits on industrial expansion and tax-base growth. He said Kent County's population is approaching 700,000 and described a relatively young demographic profile, noting about 55% of residents are around age 35.
Vandenberg said homelessness remains a major focus. He described multiple nonprofit efforts and a Chamber-led program adapted from Houston's "100 by 100" approach, saying the…
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