Improve water, sewer and road service to spur housing construction in under-utilized areas. The council is to vote on the new budget on Sept. 27. The fiscal year begins Oct. 1. Whatever progress the city is making in encouraging affordable housing is coming too slowly, said Mr. Littles, of the Enterprise Foundation. Many people, even some elected officials, sometimes confuse affordable housing and public housing.
Public housing is for people living at or below the poverty line, including many who are unemployed.
Now, city officials say they have fulfilled all their obligations under the court order. Last month, they filed a motion asking that the order be lifted. If that happened, Mr. Kirk said, the city would have more flexibility in how it spends housing dollars. Some current and former council members say the city has become more committed to affordable housing. But, they add, commitment doesn't mean much unless it's matched with dollars.