Affordable housing must be accessible, too
Cutting costs for developers is pointless if the housing created can't be accessed.
Affordable housing isn’t just about cutting costs for developers. It is about creating communities where everyone can thrive. Like many cities across the United States, Columbia, Missouri, is facing a housing affordability crisis. On Tuesday, January 21, 2025, Columbia City Council approved a design adjustment and sidewalk waiver, allowing a developer to bypass the sidewalk requirements outlined in the Unified Development Code (UDC). These requirements are intended to create walkable, well-connected neighborhoods, as emphasized in the city’s Comprehensive Plan.
Note: I am appointed on the City’s Planning and Zoning Commission. This item appeared in front of Planning and Zoning and passed. I, along with the Chair of the commission, voted against the design adjustments that granted the waiver.
The decision from Council, with five votes in favor and one against the waiver, is deeply disappointing. Nick Foster, representing Ward 4, highlighted the importance of lowering costs for creating new housing. While lowering costs for developers can incentivize housing in the short term, what good is that if the housing fails to meet the needs of our community in the future? Affordable housing must also mean accessible housing. It is about creating neighborhoods that are functional and inclusive for people of all abilities. Sidewalks are a key part of this, helping to build complete neighborhoods where aging residents, individuals with disabilities, and families with children can safely and easily navigate their communities. Waiving these essential elements to save money now ultimately costs us more in the long run, as we lose the opportunity to build housing that truly meets the diverse needs of Columbia.
The Boone County Housing Study, completed in October 2024, underscores the importance of creating housing that works for everyone, emphasizing accessibility and universal design as essential components of sustainable housing. These standards ensure that housing meets the needs of aging populations, people with disabilities, and others often overlooked in conversations about affordability. We overlooked the UDC. We disregarded the Comprehensive Plan. Are we going to disregard the Boone County Housing Study too? Ignoring these recommendations undermines the future viability of our housing stock and leaves our most vulnerable neighbors without the resources they need to thrive. If we are serious about addressing Columbia’s housing crisis, we must prioritize both affordability and accessibility to build a community that serves everyone.