We have a housing crisis in Palm Coast, as in much of the country. We have too few houses, way too few apartments, plus discriminatory zoning and homesteading laws that make the problem worse, the more so because we don’t see any of it as discriminatory. We who live in our sprawling, property-tax-sheltered single-family houses not only see these laws as entitlements. We want the door to more development closed behind us. We got our own. Screw the rest.
So just when we need it most, affordable housing is becoming a dirty word, a dog whistle bigots use to signal renters, non-whites, working class and other “undesirable” people defiling the precious property values of the better off. Even Palm Coast’s mayor is trying to get away from using the words “affordable housing,” opting for the blander “attainable housing” instead, as if a redline won’t be drawn around those words soon enough if they catch on.
Opponents of affordable housing are happy to do battle over semantics, because it’s an easy diversion from what matters, from getting something done. You frequently see the tactic at work in local government meetings when those who can afford the roof over their head smugly lecture us about those who can’t.
You saw it a few weeks ago when one of those constipated conspiracists addressed the Palm Coast City Council, furious that the words affordable housing are even used: “I’d like for someone in this room, all around me, to explain to me what is affordable housing,” he told the council. “What’s affordable? What’s affordable for you or you or us may not be affordable for someone else. So quit using that stupid term. Affordable? Come on. That’s a joke. I’ll leave it at that, because it infuriates me when I hear that word affordable housing.”
Of course it does. The whistle blared loud and clear. It was unfortunate, however, that Council member Cathy Heighter, who serves on the county’s affordable housing committee, played right into the conspiracist’s hand by seconding his doubts about the words instead of correcting him, though at least she didn’t step back from her advocacy for what she called, with no difference, “workforce housing.”
There is no mystery about affordable housing. It’s as definable–and as defined–a pair of words as we have to address our housing crisis. As the federal government has it, “Affordable housing is generally defined as housing on which the occupant is paying no more than 30 percent of gross income for housing costs, including utilities.” I underscore utilities, because that’s often left out of the equation even by those familiar with the 30 percent threshold.
The median cost of a single-family house in Palm Coast today is $379,000. Even assuming a 10 percent down payment, which no working class family can afford, even assuming a 7.5 percent interest rate on a 30-year mortgage (the average is closer to 8 percent today, and your credit score better be impeccable), that yields a monthly payment of $2,385, before taxes and insurance are calculated in, and before utilities.
Assuming very conservative utility costs, water, sewer, garbage, stormwater and power would add $350, not including internet (which is a utility), for a total of $2,735 a month in housing costs–again, before taxes. The median household income in Palm Coast in 2021 was $5,153 a month, according to the Census Bureau. 30 percent of that is $1,546. You can see the gaping deficit right there. No working class family can possibly afford to buy a house in this city.
Even if we were to apply the formula above to all existing housing stock for renters, we get similar results: overall in Palm Coast, median rent in 2021 was $1,461 a month according to the Census Bureau (a ridiculously outdated figure; it’s more commonly above $2,000. But let’s stick with it). With utilities, we’re up to $1,811, assuming you can even find a place to rent. That’s still $300 a month more than what’s considered affordable. No wonder families with children aren’t moving in. No wonder our school enrollment flatlined a decade and a half ago.
The majority of people who are moving into Palm Coast are over 55. They are retired or retiring. A third of the local home-buyers are paying for their new home in cash, after selling their home elsewhere. I’m happy for them. But let’s not downplay who is contributing to this housing crunch: the rich retired, who contribute least, who use the most services, and who bitch the loudest at government meetings.
Our housing tax structure is also indefensible. The value of my P-Section home has increased 98 percent since I bought it in 2008. But I’m homesteaded. So my property taxes have gone down 5 percent in unadjusted dollars, and gone down 33 percent in inflation-adjusted dollars. Meanwhile, taxes for my local Publix on Belle Terre have gone up 66 percent (no wonder my grocery bill is ballooning). Taxes at Integra Woods Apartments in Seminole Woods have gone up a whopping 186 percent, to nearly $600,000. If you still think renters don’t pay taxes, think again.
The disparity between the homesteaded and the non-homesteaded is untenable. If you’re homesteaded, be grateful to renters: they are subsidizing your low taxes. It’s rent control in reverse, benefiting your mortgage. Not your fault of course. You didn’t write the Save Our Homes amendment. But at least have the decency not to take the measure of affordable housing, or advocate for it, instead of fabricating grievances about your taxes and pitchforking the barricades against the renting rabble.
The pitchforks brigades are by no means exclusively conservative: if anything, they’re a liberal specialty manning the ramparts of larger cities. Scarlet-red Palm Coast has unfortunately embraced liberalism’s broken promise to equity.
So it’s not a mystery. Palm Coast may boast about being among the fastest growing cities in the nation. But it’s pricing out of housing the workers who make it tick, the workers who don’t have all day on the golf course and all night at the social clubs because they’re too busy catering to and caring for those spitting on their housing needs.
Those who deride affordable housing end up opposing apartment complexes or more dense development clusters, making it harder to address the problem. Those who live in homesteaded houses with subsidized low taxes are making it harder to address the problem. Single-use zoning that perpetuates the single-family home cult invented by William Levitt in the 1950s is making it harder to address the problem. (ITT, Palm Coast’s original builder, bought out Levitt & Sons just as it was platting Palm Coast, in 1967.) The tyrannies known as homeowner associations that are used to exclude “undesirables” and make higher property values the supreme end game, are making it harder to address the problem.
It is all redlining by other means.
We know what the solutions are: fewer zoning restrictions, fewer single-family sprawls, more apartments, more density, and a lot less bigotry against renters and the working class. It can be done, and it can certainly be done with great respect to our environment, which is never so devastated as by single-family homes in what Howard Kunstler called “the monotony and soullessness of single-use zoning, which banished the variety that was the essence of our best communities.”
But in a country more unequal than at any time in 100 years, and getting more so, those of us on the green side of the red line prefer to keep it this way, our zoning laws and contempt for the rest conspiring into gated communities without need of gates. It all adds up to one thing: We got our own. Screw the rest.
Pierre Tristam is FlaglerLive’s editor. A version of this piece airs on WNZF.
Gm says
Traffic is already a terrible situation in Palm Coast
Robin says
One small solution is to require a certain percentage of rental units to be rented at below market rates so that firefighters, teachers, nurses, police officers, etc. can live here.
Paul says
And just who will make up the difference to the owner who could be getting 2000 a month but is constrained to taking 1500??? This is a free and open market — I can charge whatever the market will bear — get a second job like I did when I was younger hustle a bit — don’t expect me to forgo 500 just because you are not able to afford market rates!
Concerned Citizen says
When you were younger it was a different economy.
My wife and I are nearing 60. And have both had to plan on working another 5 years. Even after I have retired from one. We both make good money. And are responsible. But sometimes it cost more to live than expected.
Did you ever stop to think that younger couple just starting out might just need that one break to get going?
Bree Stefancik says
Greedy people don’t give breaks, don’t you know that?
Mary Fusco says
Concerned, it was not a different economy. Same poop different day.
My children were taught to work for what they wanted. One of my daughters graduated from Flagler College with a degree in special education. She went to school during the day and worked 3-11 in a hotel. Another daughter is a nurse. Went to school during the day and worked at the local hospital nights and then studied. My son in law is a retired NYPD detective and worked odd jobs for most of his career to make ends meet. It is up to the individual to do what is needed. My grandson is involved in film making and with the strike going on now, he is doing landscaping to make ends meet. The pity party needs to end sometime.
JC says
What a boomer
Laurel says
JC: Work is a bitch, isn’t it?
Foresee says
So are mortgage tax deductions, homestead deductions, capital appreciation not taxed as income, inheritance tax exemptions, etc. Worked so hard for that, much harder than let’s say farm field workers. The golden rule: he who has the gold makes the rules. Privilege makes perfect.
Laurel says
Foresee: My husband’s mother said “If you are digging in a ditch, looking up at the foreman and resenting the foreman, become the foreman.”
We planned. We lived within our means. We’re happy we did.
Concerned Citizen says
Please come up with a better insult. Boomer is over used. Would like to know how old you are and what time you’ve put in society.
Nancy N says
How is it a different economy? Well for one, college costs have soared. Flagler College costs over $20k per year just in tuition now. That means someone working full time making $15/hr would have only about $10k per year after tuition to pay for their books, transportation, and living expenses. In other words, working your way through college and paying your way as you go is basically a thing of the past. Also, the minimum wage is worth only around half in inflation adjusted dollars what it was 50 years ago, fewer jobs come with health benefits and even fewer with pensions, making a stable middle class living a thing of the past for most people without a college education. And, as Pierre noted in his article, housing costs as a percentage of income have risen dramatically. While the value of the minimum wage was decreasing, the cost of the average American house doubled in inflation adjusted dollars during the same period. Since WW2, housing costs have nearly quadrupled in inflation adjusted dollars. In other words, people are making less and paying more for the most basic item they need – shelter.
Paul says
You are absolutely right — too many of this new generation (the original writer as well) think hard work is not necessary to get ahead — I worked for $4 an hour in high school then also in college then made $15,600 on my first job — I got a second job to support my needs and worked my ass off — my kids did the same and now are both very successful — making more than enough to survive and thrive — these lazy millenials think a 35 hour a week job from home is enough — BS if you want a better life get another job — it’s not my job or my kids job to sacrifice income to help you!
Andrea says
Spot on, Mary.
Laurel says
Mary and Paul: I’m with you two. I bought my first house in Lake Worth, home of the newly weds and nearly deads, for $58.5K because that was what I could afford. I paid my own way through college, which took a long time as I had to work full time, and sometimes two jobs, and could only pick up available classes in between. I bartended at an upscale steak house, and brought my notes for upcoming tests to work, and had the patrons read me questions while they waited for tables to open, and while I made drinks. I managed to maintain a 4.0 average, while working, paying for rent, paying for school, paying for my car, paying for insurance, paying for health insurance and paying for food. Did not get a dime from anyone.
None of this was easy! We did what we had to do to get ahead. Now the far left, and young folks, criticize us and blame us for their troubles, thinking we should pay for them too. Oh, actually, we do. We pay for their kids’ public school, and now private school. They say “What a boomer.”
Okay, stop bitching to us. Life is hard. Get with it then.
Foresee says
An “upscale steak house”, no ordinary low class place. We get the inference.
Laurel says
Foresee: And the inference is what, exactly? Why would I take a job in a “low class place” when offered a job where I made good money?
That made no sense. You prefer working at a dive, knock yourself out. Don’t come bitchin’ to me.
Aim.
Foresee says
You don’t get it. Not everyone, as you assume, is in a position to be “offered a job where I made good money.” You could have just said you worked as a bartender, left out the caste modifier “upscale”. You signified that right from the start you were in the top caste, one of the privileged. PS as for your ditch/foreman comment, have you ever worked as a ditch digger, or dug a ditch in your life? You don’t know what you’re talking about.
Laurel says
Foresee: Since the rely button is missing below your comment, I’ll comment here.
The job I was offered was listed in the newspaper. I got it because I was the most qualified and experienced.
No, I have not dug a ditch, that was a metaphor. It was a teaching by my husband’s mother to him as a young man.
This caste system you speak of resides in your mindset; one of your own personal choosing.
Concerned Citizen says
Cost of living is more. Gas is more. I could go on and on. But you are right. The economy is the same. I’d put an eye roll in here. But Pierre won’t allow it.
Where was my pity party?
Pierre Tristam says
via GIPHY
Dee Ree says
I mostly agree with your assessment as I did what it took to not only make ends meet but prosper so I was able to retire at 60, but that took working 60+ hrs a week for 40 years. Lucky for me I was in an industry that paid overtime pay and had enough work to support the overtime. My wife was able to stay home for the children when they were young. That was then and now is a bit different. Now two people need to work full time and then some to make ends meet and I am not sure how many are able to prosper. Not everyone has or can have a high paying job and they are the people hard hit by the high rents because there is a housing shortage that caused rent to skyrocket in such a short time. Not to mention the current inflation causing mortgages to blossom. I guess there is no such thing a compassionate capitalism. So, I suppose it is the free and open market that dictates who is going to suffer and who is going to prosper. But I am not an economist and don’t understand the grand scheme of things in the economy.
Laurel says
Dee Ree: Inflation is not the cause of mortgages to “blossom,” assuming you mean to increase in number of mortgages.” Low interest rates are. That allowed the rise in housing prices. The economy has been booming (look around at all the building going on) with the lowest unemployment rate in several decades. This is why the interest rates have been raised, to slow down the economy. If done properly, housing prices should level out. Personally, I think they dropped the rates a little too fast early on.
Corporations, however, have had record profits, and are unwilling to spread the joy.
A realist says
40 years ago, mortgage interest rates were in the 18% range. Plus, minimum wage was around $4.00-$4.50 an hour.
How was it a different economy “when we were younger”?
Bill says
I fail to understand why the cost of housing is the concern of any governmental body.
Anthony says
Well written and so true.
Bee says
Right on the money. Nothing but the hard truth contained in the article.
Stretchem says
Is it an affordable housing crisis or a fair living wage crisis? A perfect storm of both I suppose.
Wages simply haven’t kept up with inflation (and housing costs) for decades now, with the disparity between the have and have nots at an all time high. With nearly every member of just about any elected office a millionaire+ (ie Alfin), is it no wonder that legislation is always designed to protect that wealth. Want a better society? Be a better, smarter, more informed voting citizen.
James says
What? Florida voted in a minimum wage requirement a couple years back. It goes up a dollar a year until it gets to 15 an hour. This is making labor more expensive and therefore housing (and everything else). The solution is higher density and a focus on crating non tourism jobs. Not that hard to figure out.
Dennis C Rathsam says
There will never be affordable housing anymore! That horse has left the barn….The price of materials is one of the main reasons, another is this administration. Everything in the universe cost more now that we have a democrat in the Whitehouse. Failed policies, crazy taxes, spending money on things Americans dont want. Food is up, gas is up, you need 2 jobs to make it in Bidens America. Nothing is affordable now!
Nephew Of Uncle Sam says
If you had a GOP President you would have the same problems yet maybe compounded, just look at the PC Council for a start.
Ben Hogarth says
I don’t know which planet Dennis is from or describing, but the rest of us on earth should probably reflect on the fact that there has been a multi-factor increase in cost of living WORLDWIDE over the past 3-5 decades due largely in part to advanced technologies like synthetics, computerization, and engineering challenges necessary to meet larger scale and weather anomalies.
Of course, this is all the “Democrats” and Biden’s fault as Dennis assails. Pre-Biden (Trump era) there were rainbows and glitter over the White House and Jesus himself walked hand in hand with all God’s little children and “everyone” could afford their rents to guys like Paul, who wants to charge them all a $2000 (30%) premium “because he can.”
If your contempt or patience for commenters like this has reached the level that it has for me, maybe just maybe consider that globalism and the global economy is a little more complicated than who you voted for in the last election. Maybe just maybe, the cost of goods and services is going up because the companies and people that control the goods and services CAN increase them. Maybe just maybe, the problem isn’t exclusively an American one – but only in America do we blame the people at the bottom and not those with all the money and goods.
Greed is half the issue. Constrained resources is the other half. One out of every three homes purchased (in the U.S.) in 2021 were bought by a Property Management Company and not a family. Perhaps enshrining homes for FAMILIES rather than monopolies would be the better public policy and solution. Of course, we won’t see any Republicans in that parade.
Because we know what they really care about. Themselves.
Ray W. says
Patience, Ben Hogarth! Patience!
About three weeks ago, David Brooks (one of the better conservative commenters in America) published an interesting column, one in which he challenged the classical economic theory that rests on the belief that most people are economically selfish. I admit that I have on more than one occasion argued that classical capitalist theory rests on the belief that the invisible hand of the marketplace works best when people act in their perceived selfish best interest.
Citing numerous studies from around the world, Brooks argued that, yes, some 30% of people act in ways that fit that classical economic theory. But, according to the studies, some 50% of people work cooperatively, in non-selfish ways. Brooks points to a simple theory that humanity could not have thrived over many millennia if a majority of people were disinclined to cooperate with each other.
Quoting from a Harvard researcher, Yochai Benckler, Brooks points out: “…, across a wide range of experiments, in widely diverse populations, one finding stands out: In practically no human society examined under controlled conditions have the majority of citizens consistently behaved selfishly.”
Brooks concludes his column: “Finally, I’d say we in the West have gone overboard in building systems that try to motivate people by appealing mostly to their economic self-interest. We build inhumane systems in which material incentives blot out social and moral incentives. And we’ve made ourselves miserable along the way.”
Robert Pirsig continues to inspire, decades after his Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance became the best-selling philosophical work in American history.
The dude says
THE David Brooks??? The same David Brooks that just got busted on the Twitter misrepresenting the cost of his meal at Newark Airport?
That David Brooks?
https://www.washingtonpost.com/food/2023/09/22/david-brooks-newark-airport-meal/
Laurel says
Oh, Dude, seriously. Brooks did not “misrepresent the cost of his meal,” he called himself out for “being insensitive” about his comment, and apologized. Of all the lectures and books that David Brooks (yes THE David Brooks) has written, you find this. I highly recommend looking up his lectures and interviews on YouTube, and you can also see him on Friday nights on PBS Newshour. He is a lovely man, and you might get a far less narrow view of him.
The dude says
No.
I lost any respect I had for the man 20 years ago as he beat the drums of war for Iraq. (Where my brother almost died in 2004.)
Brooks was an idiot then, and he’s an idiot now who got self owned trying to “stick it to the libs”
T says
So biden runs the world lmao your Republicans voted down a price gouging bill look it up read more
JC says
Sorry, but nothing is going to change.
*Palm Coast has always been a retirement hotspot that’s near the ocean.
*Any land that’s near or on ocean is going to cost a arm and a leg, and this is true for almost all of the beach land within the mainland US in East/West Coasts. Palm Coast is catching up to this reality.
*More people are taking early retirement/speeding up retirement and moving down to FL to cash in.
*I lived in various apartments in FL, and most of them the people who live in them don’t take care of their own property. You see dog shit all over the place, playing super loud music at midnight, and causing problems. People pay good money to avoid those type of situations.
***If you want to be political, there’s tons of voting data out there that those who live in Apartments are more Democrat voters while those who live in SFHs are Republican.
*SOH was designed so it would prevent retirees from being taxed out of their homes. It’s a common problem in the North. Yes, if adjusted for inflation those who are homestead get a good deal on their house regarding taxes. However, it isn’t fair to kick those who are on retiree income out of their paid off house due to tax increases.
Looking for affordable housing near the beach? Not going to happen and sure as hell not going to happen in Palm Coast. I know some business owners who would prefer using robots to reduce reliance of workers as a way to control cost and due to less employees to hire with the wages they are able to afford. If they raise their prices too much, they will lose businesses since we also know that retirees are cheap when it comes to their money.
Long story short: Palm Coast was not really designed working class/poor folks. It will never be like most of FL. If you are struggling to survive in Palm Coast, you might be better off moving out of state than continue to fight the growing population who got what they want (a house) in cash and want to keep up their property values by not having working class folks in their area.
Dave says
Thank You! Finally a person with a brain.
I am working class in Palm Coast, been here a bit. As a kid, I lived in crappy houses…I bought section 8 homes and spent my non working hours flipping them. For nearly 30 years I worked close to 100 hours a week so I could be comfortable in retirement. As a kid I was taught you drive a Chevy till you work enough to afford a caddy. So, while I lean liberal, this article is straight bull shit for everyone who busted their ass to make it.
And before anyone says anything about my rich liberal ass with my vettes and Porsche’s…please follow me to work, I still paint 10 hours a day, 7 days a week…
You get what you work for, nothing more, nothing less
Maryann Mangano says
Amen to you. Couldn’t agree more. We worked our asses off to enjoy a better life. Not our fault or problem if they choose a different path.
Laurel says
Maryann: They prefer “experiences” bless their hearts, but don’t come running to me! I’m with you MM.
T says
Lmao silly
Palm Coast Citizen says
It may well be a retirement hotspot, but it’s growint quickly. When the hosptials, Sheriff’s Office, and schools struggle to find staff due to the cost of housing, we have a problem.
All the homes cannot be filled with retirees if we want restaurants, stores, health care facilities, and 1st responders in our community. How can we possibly have any services if those folks can’t afford to live here?
We’re not talking about Flagler Beach. We’re talking the entire span of the L-section to the LL section, in-between, Bunnell, and all around. We’re talking an entire county, here, not a senior living community with 200 units.
There’s a statutory requirement not to zone in ways that lower property values, so ensuring housing can be built that accomodates the life-blood of our workforce economy is vital to ensuring we do that.
The question is how? What can local governments do to ensure builders can afford to develop residential real estate through savings that can be passed down to the owners and subsequently renters?
Whats the point says
America wasnt designed for working class/poor folks. Wages havent increased in DECADES but productivity did, everything is scheme to make more money. Moving costs lots of money. Poverty is going way up, even among kids look how the gop ended the tax credits and child poverty is up like 40 %. While the select few live like gods the standard of living for most is falling dramatically and it wont end no matter who is in office as its called ecological overshoot and politicians only care about they next election cycle.
JimboXYZ says
When the 2020 US Census required by law, that every citizen to answer whether they owned their residence or rented it. And in the case of home ownership whether it was mortgaged or not. That information was intended to be used to manage housing in a redistribution that is overtly racist & discriminatory.
I can tell you that the rental duplex nearby was a casualty of the pandemic of financial hardship. That duplex was sold early 2021, by the end of 2021, it was under contract & had been flipped for nearly $ 100K profit. Same roof, same HVAC system, same interior that was not renovated. The return of the corporate property flip.
The neighbors in 2020, worked for the Flagler County Schools as teachers. Distressed property, the house was sold in 2021, then flipped to a California doctor. The next part is just from the Demographics, there is no intent to be racist here, just the facts. We all know of the news stories of the Whites that are equally as guilty of the same lower quality of life they lead. That said, that duplex is rented to minorities today, One side to a Hispanic, the other side a mixed race B&W couple with children that have vandalized & destroyed neighboring properties. Cut it out with the lies of racism, because the reality, as it exists is right next door to any of us to see in the raw. Diversity is what is happening & some are trying to make the biggest bucks they can from it.
See the renters, a lot of them are transient, they are there long enough to abuse the property, then they move on to the next victim of a property. Trust me on this, their children have damaged my mailbox, window screens, landscaping & trees. They migrated from the duplex they were overutilizing, bringing their brand of trouble with them, duplex by duplex. Their parents, like the rental property they live in don’t pay for the damages to the property. That’s if some of those renters aren’t dealing drugs out of those rentals. FlaglerLive has written the articles on it, the home invasions, the drug related homicides or domestic calls FCSO has to sift thru the lies to get to the bottom of anything that the rest of us are paying for. It’s a very naive view or reality for spinning this as a housing crisis. When I moved here pre-Biden, I won’t say it was Utopia, but it got worse with BLM Summer of 2020. that’s when the neighbors started flying their BLM & others, Confederate flags. Yeah, I have photo evidence of that documents the reality of the last 3+ years. FlaglerLive has archived news stories of the growing pains of a horribly failed diversity, equity & inclusion agenda. Those escaping NYC & Chicago, where exactly does anyone think they are relocatng to, Palm Coast/Flagler, anywhere else FL & USA where there might be a better chance of having a better quality of life that doesn’t include being taxed & overcharged for people that haven’t paid a single penny into the infrastructure of the USA ever ?
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2023/09/20/joe-biden-united-nations-impact-nyc-migrant-crisis/70861606007/
Keep on trying to put 10 lbs of poop in a 5 lb bag ?
JC says
Brah, you live in a very rudy red county and you are referencing Biden and BLM. Then adding diversity is just icing on the cake.
Please show your evidence.
Sharp Snouted Day Frog says
Evidence? haha sean hannity and racist ron told them so that all they need. Its amazing how uniformed and borderline stupid people that watch fox news are. If it doesnt support their false narratives its bs and they make outrageous claims with absolutley no proof to keep the hate up as they cant win on policy. But keep up those right wing consipracy theories they are great for the country.
JimboXYZ says
I responded earlier to JC says, so here is your response. Where do you want the evidence delivered for your satisfaction ?
Laurel says
Jimbo: PBS Frontline. I’m waiting.
Dave says
Good article and when you look at the BIG PICTURE across the US of A. The median home sales price is $416,100 as of the second quarter of 2023. That’s a 26% increase from 2020, when the median was $329,000. It is pretty bad everywhere, and then you have rent. As of Sep 13, 2023 — The median rent for all bedrooms and all property types in Palm Coast, FL is $2,013. As of September 2023, the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Flagler Beach, FL is $1,725. Who can afford this. And the rent prices just go up and up and that prevents those, “renters” or a method to not chose them as renters.
Land of no turn signals says says
Too few houses and apartments are you snowflakes are crazy.There are to many now.You can’t drive anywhere in under a 1/2 hour.I suggest that Pierre level his house and construct a nice 5 story tenement building, hell he can even be the landlord or let everyone live for free.Working hard and saving your money getting lucky and having a dream home is not a crime as you see it.
ban the GOP says
you see when housing is seen as a way to make profits there is no level distribution. There is no “saving your money” if your rent is 2000 per month. Most people will be wage slaves until they die. Capitalism is based on growth and you need population growth to sustain that. Why we gone from 3 billion in 1960 to over 8 billion people today. Virus in a petrie dish. Unsustainable means it cant continue…
Skibum says
I believe in growth as well as affordable housing, BUT it is essential that growth be managed and incremental along with improvements in a city’s infrastructure such as roadways, sidewalks, street lighting, sewers, water treatment facilities, schools, etc. This is something that is done well in some states… Florida is definitely not one of them and particularly here in Flagler County, upgrades to roadways and critical infrastructure to support growth seems to be an afterthought or no thought at all. And I believe that is what a lot of residents are voicing their opinions over because, to me, there seems to be a thought process to just build, build build without thought or proper future planning and it decreases the quality of living for those of us who are already here. So plan and build responsibly, and incrementally while upgrading the necessary city infrastructure that will support future growth, or don’t bring in more housing and businesses and just leave things the way they are. And if costs are a factor, make the big developers share a larger percentage of the building costs and fees to support the growth they are proposing.
James says
Managed growth is a lie.
Think about that for a moment. Property owners can build whenever they want. So how can you manage that? You can’t. You’re basically proposing limiting supply when demand is at an extreme high. That will result in higher housing prices because buyers will fight over the fewer houses you propose to be able to manage/limit.
It’s America and property rights exist.
What’s worse is you don’t really want developers to build with the plans they have approved now, and have for 20-30 years. That’s mega sprawl, hence all the changes you’re seeing requested. Ppl don’t want McMansions anymore with large lots that take a bunch of water to keep grass alive/maintain.
Your policy is great for me personally. I got mine at $325k 3 years ago and I’m touching a half-milli in value now with a 2.9% rate. All capped by save our homes tax exemptions. So, keep managing growth, limiting supply and push my house price even higher. But what’s good for me is neither good for the entire community or our local economy.
99% of the locals have no idea the stuff they argue in support of (managed growth, limited growth) actually has the opposite effect.
Also, your moratorium idea is illegal…and would blast prices through the roof. Again, great for me and mine.
Skibum says
We all have our own history and experiences, and while I cannot speak to your own, let me assure you that it certainly is possible for a local government to efficiently and proportionally manage how much, where, and the speed and/or limitations to all types of development within their jurisdiction. I know this for a fact because I have witnessed it firsthand in not one, but two other states I have lived in during the course of my lifetime. And although laws that either help or hinder growth and development differ from state to state, the main focus of my comment was regarding a city’s master plan and eyeing future business and/or residential development in specific locations, then putting in the infrastructure that will entice and support that type of development in those areas. For example, where I moved from in a community in WA state just prior to my retirement, the city was looking at expansion to the west where all there was at the time was sagebrush, hills, jackrabbits and other varmints. They envisioned that the city’s future, and most of its core business area would be moving toward the west, so they thoughtfully paved roads, put in sidewalks, lighting, sewers and all of the necessary infrastructure so investors and businesses could be preemptively enticed to come and build, and the city did a very good job of managing all of that process. That entire west side, now about 20 years later, is built up and well established with many businesses. So, yes, managed development, thoughtful planning, and putting in all of the infrastructure that will add value and allow both businesses AND residents to want to come to Palm Coast is possible, but for whatever reason, here in FL everything seems to be done backwards and in what looks like to a lay person, very inefficiently. And what I remember most when retiring and moving here from the west coast was a professional person here asking me when I told him I just moved out here from WA, he asked me how it felt to go back in time 30 years. And in the succeeding years that I have lived here, I now know EXACTLY what he meant!
Tighten the belt Folks! says
I rented the cheapest smallest 2BR house available in palm coast a year and a half ago, Its a tiny 2 bedroom 1 car garage in the BL Woodlands section, $1800/Rent, $150 FPL, $105 Water, $54 Spectrum internet only. I pay $25 twice a month in summer for a guy to cut grass (I edge and run the blower myself after he’s done). $2,159 before I do anything, go anywhere, buy gas, make a car payment or feed my family. Thats just to keep the lights on, Landlord happy and toilets flushing. Could not imagine a car payment (I repair my older car, 20 yrs) or Interest from credit debt (I earn the money first then I spend it). Thank god I ended up frugal handy and clever and am a good cook, almost never go to restaurants as I don’t see how this inflation is going to sort itself under this administration. I ran out of mayo, was in Publix and Im like $9 a jar?!? Crap bag of mcdonalds weighs like 3 ounces $11… We are in trouble, Big trouble folks…
Mary Fusco says
This pity party is ridiculous. There has always been working class people. My husband and I bought our first home in 1974. I think he was making around $3-$4 an hour. The only house we could afford was 70 miles from his job. As a result, he had to drive 90 minutes each way to get to work. We did not go on vacations, did not have cable, cell phone (they did not exist), kids did not wear designer clothes and our cars were old and duck taped together. Some weeks after paying bills, we had $5 left over. Sometimes hubby worked 60 hours a week when we needed things done around the house. When I went back to work after raising 4 children, I worked two jobs 60 hours a week for 9 years while they were in college. Yes, we sold our $45,000 house for “$125,000 in 1999. We worked our arses off for 25 years to pay it off. And yes, we did pay cash for our house in Florida. Problem to day, is that NO ONE wants to sacrifice anything.
Nancy N. says
No, the problem today is that thanks to wage deflation and housing inflation a large segment of people now have to do what you did just to pay rent and eat, with no hope of ever even being able to buy a house and build retirement security via equity in it.
Sure sure says
Did you walk barefoot also through 3 feet of snow? Only thing your story is missing Mary
Laurel says
Sure Sure: Yeah, you don’t want to do that, do you? You’d rather have it handed to you, right?
Palm Coast Citizen says
You bought a $45,000 house with one income of $8,320. The house price was 5 times the one salary. Homes are averaging $400,000 now, so you’d need an income of $80,000. Average income in Flagler County is around $18/hr, or $37K a year. Even with **two** full time workers, a home purchase wouldn’t be in the cards, let alone saving up for the $100K down payment needed to buy that home.
Interest rates, property taxes, and homeowners insurance have all gone up as have material supplies. The probem is complicated, and it cannot be explained away by flippantly assuming people just don’t want to work or know how to save. The opportunity you had in the 70’s is non-existant.
People earning $50,000 a year cannot afford to live here now if they are alone or sing-income households.
A room costs $700/mo. A room! People making minimum wage cannot even rent a room.
So people with kids, or young couples with decent jobs earning $35K or 40K a year cannot afford to live here. This isn’t about savings or being financially wreckless. This is a serious affordability crisis.
Laurel says
PC Citizen: I’m not going to argue with you over an affordability crisis, but you have to put things into perspective. I just looked up a random house in Manalapan, and it had a property tax of over $75,000 last year. We’re talking that’s not on the water, but near it. Yes they get $50K homestead exemption off their $6M home, same homestead exemption amount as you. Over a dozen years ago, I saw homes there taxed at $50,000. It’s all relative. You live where you can afford. Do you figure I could go to one of their meetings and ask for affordable housing for me and my husband? How long would it take for them to show me the door?
When everyone heads for the coast at the same time, this is what happens.
Just a reality check.
Jay Tomm says
No we have a building crisis! STOP building & there will be enough for everyone. Those that can’t find housing will go somewhere else. Exactly how PC/Flagler should be. It was never meant to be a medium size city. It’s all greed!
Atwp says
Jimboxyz I am a racist. Please look at the real picture of life, whites mess up houses and rental property too. People of color are not as bad as you and others like you say. Please realize some whites are dirty renters also. Human nature is human nature. Just because people are white dosent mean they are always right and perfect. Just because people are black dosent mean test are lack and lazy.About the housing shortage, it is bad. So why should this country always support, Ukraine? People need help here.
Wow says
For Once I agree with ATWP. never thought this day would come!
Laurel says
People support Ukraine because it is a democracy that has been invaded by the Russians and Putin, who now the magas love.
Celia M Pugliese says
I strongly believe that if we do not support Ukraine with the weapons they need to win this assassin attack from Putin, then we will not only need to use our weapons but much worse than that, our American soldiers lives! The sacrificed and unjustified attacked brave Ukranians are courageously fighting right now for us in the free world! Just think about it! They need all the help we can afford to give them to succeed! Otherwise we are the next victims of a criminal.
James says
Yeah, stop building. That’s illegal. Don’t you think it would have been done by now? Go read some state/federal laws for crying out loud.
Denali says
Local units of government have imposed building moratoriums for decades. Most were imposed due to infrastructure constraints. Prince Georges County Maryland had a couple last century and is looking at another as I write this. Several are being considered in the southwest due to water issues. Go read some history for crying out loud.
Truth instead of ridiculousness says
The “rich” who have retired and bought their house with cash from another high priced area are not the villains here. Those who are moving down are buying at high prices and paying big taxes on the homes compared to those who bought their houses and homesteaded the property prior to the pandemic relocation.
The increase in rent is everywhere mainly because of inflation which is not dictated in any way by Palm Coast leadership.
Also, all the investment homes are not homesteaded and their taxes have gone up 20% and beyond in the last couple of years.
The assertion that the “rich” are somehow using all the services is laughable. I dare say that many of those who retired and used their previous home as part of their retirement nest egg to purchase with cash so they could afford to live on a fixed income for the rest of their lives should not be considered ‘rich’. They already worked hard and paid off their mortgage to achieve the opportunity to make the move. Now they have to make whatever is left work until they pass on which is not an easy task for many.
Most services that cost the taxpayer are means tested.
Idk what planet Pierre lives on but it isn’t one that has actual facts or correct information regarding this issue. It sounds like he has some kind of ax to grind.
John says
Higher density = higher crime. No way around this, especially today with participation trophies and career McDonald’s cashiers. True, I lived in a low income appt downtown up north. I had ambition to improve myself and move on. So why do I want to reward folks with no ambition, do not want to improve and guilt their way (yes, I’m thinking of you daily on the corner of Old Kings and Palm Coast Pkwy, go back to Volusia, wait its illegal there, should be illegal here too) ? Salaries of teachers and other first responders are tight for buying homes here but the same for me. I applaud them and their fight. If we could reduce taxes even further for their line of work and bump mine up, I’d take it. But not because someone is whining about minimum wage. Live here and commute to a long term job like the rest of us.
I value my location and way of life here. It’s my choice to live here. If I can’t afford it, I strive until I can. You want to have a higher quality of life, take it upon yourself to make those improvements. Don’t rely on everyone else and blame them for your failures.
Endless Dark money says
Hate to break it to you but greed won, you used to be able to “pull yourself up by your bootstraps” but in todays world not so much. The majority of jobs in PC dont pay enough to survive if you can even find one, but just move, well thats costs money too. Theres a reason there are 3 individuals in america that have more money than 200 million workers combined. Its why resturants, transportation, and agriculture dont have to pay minimum wage, and overtime exempt on the other side so work more but recieve less. Wages havent budged in decades and families today have much more cost burden than in the past. Oh yeah no job protections either so you will be let go for no reason or cause profits are reduced. Its amazing how the older generation is obsessed with work I think its because they worked their life away and want others to do the same . Unfortunately retirement isnt in the cards for most younger people today they will be wage slaves until they die. Now get back to work.
Laurel says
Endless: No, we older people don’t give a damn if you work your life away or not. Move out of mama’s house and stop bitching to us, and complaining how all our hard work is somehow not deserving small reward in our last decades and imposing on your generation, who will inherit our labor’s reward.
The dude says
We inherit your debt.
We inherit a world on fire due to your (generation’s) politics.
There’s very little “reward” left in there to be inherited.
Laurel says
Dude: Okay, go for it. It’s your turn. You and your peers fight the big corporations. You fight big oil. You fight big pharma. You fight climate change. Now, it’s on your watch. Let’s see how easy it is.
Unfortunately, you and other like-minded thinkers prefer to blame others for life’s path. You seem to believe that all seniors think and behave exactly alike, and are somehow scheming to prevent you from a good life.
As for us seniors and the environment, Rachel Carson wrote “Silent Spring” and it was published in 1962. Greenpeace was founded in 1972. The Nature Conservancy was founded in 1946. Jane Goodall, born 1934, is a well known conservationist. The Federal Water Pollution Control Act was passed in 1948, followed by the Clean Water Act in 1972. You know who Erin Brockovich, born 1960, is, right? If not, look her up. Here’s a short Forbes article for you: https://www.forbes.com/sites/josephcoughlin/2018/05/05/greener-than-you-boomers-gen-x-millennials-scor e-themselves-on-the-environment/?sh=21e8c1494d8b.
Points of view on race here are finger pointing as well. While Atwp and Geode were blaming white people for all their woes, and hoping for harm to white people, Barack Obama became President of the United States. Kamala Harris became Vice President. Oprah Winfrey became a wealthy household name. Ronnie Lott, athlete, said “Trying to be the best. Failing. Getting back up. Those characteristics are going to allow you to make great decisions. They are going to allow you to compete. They are going to allow you to achieve your best. That’s the American dream.”
You have a lot of wisdom yet to accumulate, and that takes time. The sooner you stop blaming others, the closer you will come to realizing your dreams. – Laurel
Bill C says
Meanwhile the clear cut weed farm embarrassingly called “Town Center” lies largely vacant.
bill says
that was and is still a joke that started with landon
Pogo says
@P.T.
Bless your heart. Every word is the truth — and you’ll be hated for telling it.
“There are boys here who have to mend their shoes whatever way they can. There are boys in this class with no shoes at all. It’s not their fault and it’s no shame. Our Lord had no shoes. He died shoeless. Do you see Him hanging on the cross sporting shoes? Do you, boys?”
― Frank McCourt, Angela’s Ashes
And so it goes.
Emily says
Why is this city in such a big hurry to destroy it with rentals, section 8, 24-7 destruction of the woodlands. Its like the soon it becomes Orlando the better?
Land of no turn signals says says
I don’t always agree with Mary but today she is spot on.Only thing she left out was a $500 + new car payment.Gotta have a new ride.
PB says
GREED is the word!
Let me ask. My house has gone up in value. Taxes have stayed in check. Do I need to sell or get a home equity loan I cannot afford to pay back to afford inflation? What good does an increase in value on paper do?
Robert Squeo says
When I first married way back when my wife and I found an apartment in a town not far from where we had lived prior to marrying. We lived there because that was what we could afford. It was not a terrible place but we wanted to own a home. So, fortunately at my job I was able to work overtime hours So, I worked as many additional hours as were available and within a year we had saved enough for a down payment on a house. Again, we researched the area and found a place we could afford largely due to the taxes being below the surrounding areas. My point here is that you live where you can afford when starting out and and even after if you cannot afford to go elsewhere.
The Sour Kraut says
The first place I actually owned was a townhouse on the outskirts of town, and when I bought it, it was a dump. I worked a full time job and did renovations at night. I made enough equity that the next place I purchased was another dump, this time it was an actual house, near town. Again, full time job, renovations at night. When we moved to Palm Coast my wife and I were near the end of our careers. We could FINALLY afford a house where we wanted. Yes, it is an expensive home, but we both worked most of our lives and more than 40 hours a week during most of it, to get here. It CAN be done. Devaluing our property by increasing density around us IS NOT the answer. Palm Coast does not have the infrastructure for what you propose. I traveled long distances most of my life to get to work because I couldn’t afford to live where I wanted to live. Nobody cried for me…including me.
K says
So due to all the investments that many hard working law biding folks have made hear we see that our community is rated as the 2nd safest city in Florida.
We also have a very good school system and we pay a good deal in taxes for these things.
Now some seem to feel that those who took risks in order for a better future must now allow for just anyone to move here, change rules, lower rents?
Sound like that Social Justice BS that Obama and AOC have been demanding.
It seems that we have some of those Sanctuary City crusaders from the Blue Death Spiral states here.
It’s not the governments job to set real estate prices.
If you want that then go to Cuba 🇨🇺 😏
ban the GOP says
greed won, just takes a while for effects to kick in. Now get back to work cause your boss needs a new boat.
James says
For the most part, this is a transient state… always was, probably always will be. The homestead tax advantage (on the face of it anyway… in my opinion) was probably intended to encourage year-round residency and therefore “build community” where there otherwise would never have been any.
One cannot help that people and organizations will take full advantage of such a situation… I speak particularly of those who view real estate primarily as an investment. Which now includes multi-national investment companies which very likely have no financial incentive to “build community” here.
Pierre, if you have misgivings about it, I’m sure if you go down to the tax collector’s office and speak with a representative they will gladly relieve you of this moral burden.
As for myself, I view it as compensation (well earned) for struggling to exist in this “paradise.” A view perhaps shared by many a Florida native… with of course, the additional note that it’s also (small) compensation for putting up with all the rest of us.
Just my opinion.
The dudes says
The bootstrappyness on display here is truly a sight to behold…
Ken says
I love reading the comments, love the people who blame the youth for problems they created by electing scumbag politicians from both parties that sell our our citizens. Housing is a basic human need. Wait till cut social security and Medicare. All these pull yourself up by your boot scraps folks getting entitlements.
Pogo says
@FWIW∞
We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.
— Winston Churchill
Related reading
Everywhere you go — there you are
https://www.google.com/search?q=self+justification
JimBob says
Yeah, when you inherit great wealth you have time to dream platitudes!
The dude says
The bootstraps that a large number of our neighbors used to pull themselves up by, simply don’t exist anymore.
Our hardy, and extremely self made neighbors don’t seem to understand this simple fact, even though it is largely due to their actions over the years.
Emily says
An observation from a resident of southern St. Johns County – US1 is a solid line of traffic coming from Palm Coast into St. Augustine every weekday morning. Folks can afford to live in Flagler, but they can’t afford to work in Flagler County.