our town st helena: converting empty malls and big box stores means changing zoning laws

Converting Empty Malls and Big-Box Stores into Affordable Housing Means Changing Zoning

A year of Covid means that we’ve learned to work, shop, learn and recreate virtually. The result is empty office buildings, hotels and malls. We desperately need more housing, especially affordable housing, so it’s only logical to convert those empty structures into housing. But zoning laws are standing in the way of making an easy building conversion.

our town st helena building affordable housing in st helena

Affordable Housing: Why Does It Matter?

Stanford economist Raj Chetty found that children who moved to lower poverty neighborhoods saw their earnings as adults increase by approximately 31%, an increased likelihood of living in better neighborhoods as adults, and a lowered likelihood of becoming a single parent. Children living in stable, affordable homes are more likely to do well in school and have opportunities to learn outside the classroom.