Keep it County and Keep Out Low Income Housing

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By Lena Vargas

Summary

People aren't rolling out the welcome mat for a new housing development just outside Prosser. Some neighbors living on North River Road worry a complex intended to be "affordable" will drive down their property values, plus bring in crime and traffic.

Story Published: Mar 10, 2010 at 7:06 PM PST

Keep it County and Keep Out Low Income Housing
BENTON COUNTY--People aren't rolling out the welcome mat for a new housing development just outside Prosser. Some neighbors living on North River Road worry a complex intended to be "affordable" will drive down their property values, plus bring in crime and traffic.

Bob Stone is one of those concerned. He owns a business on the street and has a home in the back.

"Everyone down here, we feel pretty safe with what we've got now. And everyone's put so much money in their property and everything around here to where something like that to be put in, just think, what it's low income housing. I just don't think it's the right place for it, “ said Stone.

To move the project forward, the city still has to make the property part of Prosser and change zoning to “high density”. Those are two big “ifs”. But Catholic Charities and the Office of Rural Farmworker Housing have put in the applications to move forward. Now it’s up to elected officials.

Action News checked with a local real estate agent who said there is definitely a need for more rentals in Prosser. Right now there just aren't many available, affordable or not.