Affordable Housing Commission seeks volunteers

DAYTON–The Affordable Housing Commission (AHC) have two unpaid voluntary positions open, for local community members interested in conducting research regarding the concerns and issues surrounding affordable housing within the community. The AHC is responsible for completing research on policy and procedural changes and for making recommendations on said policy and procedure that may further enable new developments. Once a quorum is established, ACH members will meet the second Tuesday of each month in the City Hall at 5 p.m.

To qualify for appointments to the AHC, applicants must be a residence of the City of Dayton; have no additional servitude on other Council-appointed commissions; be a registered voter of Columbia County; and, have an interest in new development and enhancing affordable housing developments in the city limits.

Appointments are made by the mayor with confirmation of the City Council. Initial appointments will be staggered as outlined in DMC 1-14.020(B), up to a three-year term. Reappointments are for three-year terms.

The Affordable Housing Commission (AHC) was established via Ordinance 1952 on August 14, 2019; codified in the Dayton Municipal Code (DMC) as Chapter 1-14. The City of Dayton established the AHC to enable the City Council to make well-founded decisions driven by community stakeholders regarding affordable housing. Housing is considered “affordable” if the household is paying no more than thirty percent of total income on monthly housing expenditures, including utilities.

In the City of Dayton, forty percent of owner-occupied households and forty six percent of renter-occupied households are “cost-burdened”–meaning the household spends more than thirty percent of income on housing costs. Efforts to reduce the number of cost-burdened households will directly benefit the entire community by offering support to achieving resiliency and creating an economically strong, vibrant, and healthy community.

For consideration, please submit a letter of interest to Meagan Bailey, Director of Planning and Community Development at [email protected] or 111 S. 1st St., Dayton, WA 99328.

Letters should be addressed to Mayor Zac Weatherford. Questions may be directed to Meagan Bailey at the above contact information. Visit daytonwa.com for additional information on affordable housing.