Housing’s connected

I am so tired of seeing Arkansas’ rankings in the lowest of the low in so many areas. I am an advocate for affordable housing; housing that is of good quality, decent, safe and appropriate. Affordable housing resources are significantly interconnected with so many other real-life factors: health care, education, crime and corrections, opportunity, and economic growth. We can continue to expend funds for education, health care and economic development, etc.; however, until we provide support for affordable and suitable housing, these expenditures may be in vain.

Arkansas has not prioritized housing in its past, and where is it ranked in so many areas? There is a connection. Industry may choose not to locate in Arkansas due to lack of available, suitable housing; health issues related to inadequate, unsanitary living conditions contribute to our low ranking on health care; the local economy is driven in part by developers, builders, suppliers, Realtors, bankers—all interconnected with housing. A fully funded Housing Trust Fund will help our local economies in rural areas where need is greatest, as well as in our urban areas.

Our state and local elected leaders need to recognize the connection with affordable, appropriate housing and these critically important other policy areas and give equal priority to funding the existing Arkansas Housing Trust Fund. Arkansas is one of 47 states with a Housing Trust Fund and is one of seven currently without a permanent funding source for their Housing Trust Fund.

During the interim period between regular sessions of the General Assembly, I hope that our elected leaders will reflect on and recognize the important, vital connections between housing and these other significant policy areas and then develop viable solutions to provide permanent, sustainable funding for the Arkansas Housing Trust Fund. RICH ROY Little Rock