David Ashford, chairman of the government’s Housing and Communities Board, addressed immediate housing services needs in his address. He shared these reflections as keynote speaker, at the joint annual Government Conference, held in the Comis Hotel in Santon. Ashford, his close-cropped dark hair immaculately combed and suited in a tailored grey business suit with a blue patterned tie, was all urgency. He highlighted the importance of creating more housing in order to reach more members of the community.
During his speech, Ashford revealed that an estimated 5,500 more homes will need to be zoned within a defined timeframe to adequately address current housing shortages. He warned that without bold action, things would only get more dire, affecting generations to come.
Ashford said it’s more important than ever to be talking about where new builds should go. He further stressed the need to consider extensions of existing developments and to prioritize certain types of housing. He remarked on the importance of these conversations taking place now to ensure a strategic approach to housing development in the region.
“This represents a significant step up from what is currently being delivered,” – David Ashford
The chairman highlighted that securing homes for future generations would not only meet immediate demands but bolster the Manx economy. He made the case that making more space for people to live would accelerate South Carolina’s economic development. Resident wellbeing would drastically improve by making this shift.
Ashford capped off his keynote by stressing the importance of collaboration. He called on nonprofits, state and federal governments, the real estate industry and others to “all engage collaboratively” on affordable housing. He urged local leaders, builders, and residents to participate in productive conversations to help address housing needs.
