ORGANIZATION. IT’S SO HARD FOR OUR GENERATION TO BE PLACED AGAINST YOU KNOW, PEOPLE FROM THE 70S WHO COULD WORK ONE JOB AND COULD AFFORD YOU KNOW, A HOME HERE IN EDMOND AFFORDABLE HOUSING, A BIG TOPIC AT THE EDMOND CITY COUNCIL MEETING LAST NIGHT, LEADERS UNVEILED A NEW STUDY SHOWING JUST UNDER 65% OF EDMOND RESIDENTS CAN’T AFFORD THE AVERAGE NEW HOME IN CITY LIMITS. AND THIS MORNING, THE FIGHT CONTINUES OVER NEW HOUSING IN EDMOND. SOME HOMEOWNERS ARGUE IT’S NOT THE CITY GOVERNMENT’S PLACE TO GET INVOLVED IN THE LOCAL HOUSING MARKET. WHILE A LOCAL DEVELOPER ARGUES THE LACK OF AFFORDABLE OPTIONS IS HURTING THE TOWN. WHEN I WANTED MORE MONEY, I WANTED TO ADVANCE. BUT I WENT OUT AND GOT THE SKILLS. YOU GO GET ANOTHER DEGREE, YOU GO FIND SOMETHING ELSE TO DO THAT DOES MAKE MONEY. THIS IDEA OF HELPING PEOPLE AND GIVING THEM THINGS ONLY MAKES THEM WEAKER. AND I REALLY HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THAT. WHEN 75% OF YOUR WORKFORCE CAN’T LIVE IN THE TOWN THEY WORK IN. THAT’S A SAD STATEMENT. SO NOTHING WAS OFFICIALLY DECIDED LAST NIGHT, BUT THE CITY SAYS UPDATING ZONI
New study shows most people can't afford average home in Edmond
On Monday night, the city council took public comments but there was no official action
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Updated: 8:57 AM CDT Aug 15, 2023
A new study showed most people can't afford the average new home in Edmond.On Monday night, the city council took public comments, but there was no official action."My husband is a police officer in OKC, and he’s also a veteran," said Megan Lee Schmidt, an Edmond resident.| MORE | Edmond could take another step to get more affordable housingA veteran herself, the Edmond resident said she's doing all she knows how to do. She and her husband are full-time employees, and it's barely enough."Here we are with minimal income, living paycheck to paycheck," Schmidt said.She said times have changed, and the housing situation in Edmond isn't what it used to be."It’s so hard for our generation to be placed against people from the 1970s who could work one job and afford a home here in Edmond," Schmidt said.During the meeting, staff pointed to a recent housing plan assessment that showed just under 65% of Edmond residents can't afford the average new home in city limits."Why are we tearing them down and putting up two $500,000 houses right there on the same lot?" said Robert Siemens, an Edmond resident.Some current Edmond homeowners argued they had to work hard to afford a house in Edmond, and it's not the city government's place to get involved in the local housing market. A local developer said something needs to be done for employees that have to commute from outside city limits on a daily basis.Get the latest news stories of interest by clicking here."When 75% of your workforce can’t afford to live in the town they work in, that’s a sad statement," said Caleb McCaleb, a developer.At the meeting, city staff said updating zoning codes for residential areas will be key moving forward.Top HeadlinesPerson dies after car strikes bicyclist on Logan County highway, OHP saysPerson taken to hospital after shooting in northwest Oklahoma CityPerson in critical condition after plane crashes into Oklahoma City highwayVideo: 16-year-old earns college degree before getting driver's licenseSheriff's office deputies help veteran with yardwork following welfare check
EDMOND, Okla. — A new study showed most people can't afford the average new home in Edmond.
On Monday night, the city council took public comments, but there was no official action.
"My husband is a police officer in OKC, and he’s also a veteran," said Megan Lee Schmidt, an Edmond resident.
| MORE | Edmond could take another step to get more affordable housing
A veteran herself, the Edmond resident said she's doing all she knows how to do. She and her husband are full-time employees, and it's barely enough.
"Here we are with minimal income, living paycheck to paycheck," Schmidt said.
She said times have changed, and the housing situation in Edmond isn't what it used to be.
"It’s so hard for our generation to be placed against people from the 1970s who could work one job and afford a home here in Edmond," Schmidt said.
During the meeting, staff pointed to a recent housing plan assessment that showed just under 65% of Edmond residents can't afford the average new home in city limits.
"Why are we tearing them down and putting up two $500,000 houses right there on the same lot?" said Robert Siemens, an Edmond resident.
Some current Edmond homeowners argued they had to work hard to afford a house in Edmond, and it's not the city government's place to get involved in the local housing market. A local developer said something needs to be done for employees that have to commute from outside city limits on a daily basis.
Get the latest news stories of interest by clicking here.
"When 75% of your workforce can’t afford to live in the town they work in, that’s a sad statement," said Caleb McCaleb, a developer.
At the meeting, city staff said updating zoning codes for residential areas will be key moving forward.
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