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City Commission candidates tackle affordable housing concerns at League of Women Voters Forum

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By on Local News, Manhattan
City commission candidates participated in a forum hosted by the League of Women Voters of Manhattan/Riley County. (Photo by Brandon Peoples/KMAN)
Housing challenges within the city were a point of emphasis for city commission candidates at Saturday’s League of Women Voters forum, held at the Manhattan Public Library.
Among the questions asked of candidates Saturday were how each think the city can provide affordable housing across the spectrum.
Incumbent Mark Hatesohl says the city can do something with workforce housing money that’s coming in off of the city’s sales tax, which he says will provide about $8 million.
Commissioner John Matta, who sits on the Manhattan Housing Authority Board, says using workforce housing money from sales tax is a way to address concerns of established property owners, such as upgrading the drainage system.
Candidate Rafael Rodriguez, Jr. says the city is missing programs that generate passive income to support housing programs.
Candidate Karen McCulloh says a focus should be on the city’s recently conducted housing study. She’s concerned that the city didn’t perform the suggestions from the study conducted 20 years ago.

Candidate Rosemary Loucks says reminding landlords that they have an obligation to maintain properties is important.

Candidate Peter Oppelt says he’s asked developers why they’re having to build so many attached single family homes in the community.

Susan Adamchak, who sits on the board for the Manhattan Area Resettlement Team, says she’s just learned that the city is losing about 150 affordable housing units.

Seven of the nine candidates running for city commission participated in Saturday’s forum. The two unable to participate were Darqel Brown and Connor Knightley. 

We’ll have continuing coverage from Saturday’s candidate forums throughout the week on News Radio KMAN. To listen back to Saturday’s forum, visit the link here. 

(Brandon Peoples and Rhonda Zellweger contributed to this article)

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