Without the willingness of Johnson County’s elected leadership to work toward equitable, attainable housing solutions and achieve buy-in from residents, the challenges for people trying to afford to live here will probably only grow worse over time. That’s according to a report earlier this month to the Johnson County Board of County Commissioners, when county leaders received an overview of the results of a housing study and considered next steps for the county to take. “To me, this is a shared responsibility,” said Julie Brewer, executive director of United Community Services of Johnson County, who led the discussion on April 8. Brewer said cities in Johnson County should also be intentional about housing solutions, and employers should also recognize what is necessary for a ready and able workforce. Cities and the county can incentivize developments to build affordable housing, and incentivize businesses to pay a living wage so that middle- and lower-income individuals and families can afford to live in Johnson County.
Source: Shawnee Mission Post
