Residents come together to brainstorm ideas to create more affordable housing in Douglas County

…several local experts on homelessness and affordable housing shared ideas on how to address an issue that has become a concern in Lawrence. The panel included Ron Gaches, chair of the City of Lawrence’s affordable housing advisory board, as well as representatives from KU, Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center, the Lawrence Home Builders Association and other local organizations.

Last year, the City of Lawrence hired BBC Research & Consulting to complete a housing market analysis that found about 5,300 Lawrence renters were cost-burdened, defined as those who spend more than 30% of their income on rent and utilities. The study also found that about 2,300 renters earning between about $35,000 and $75,000 would like to purchase a home, but few affordable homes are available.