Case about fair housing in Kyle goes to court

[sonias]

AAS 2/12/08
Case about fair housing in Kyle goes to court
Plaintiffs say ordinances raise housing prices, discriminate against minorities. City says ordinance is colorblind way to manage growth.

Are the City of Kyle's efforts to control growth by raising minimum residential lot and home sizes pushing minorities out of the housing market there?

Teams of lawyers for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and two home builders' trade associations say yes.

Arguments began Monday in a federal trial that has the city defending ordinances passed in 2003. In addition to increasing the required square footage for single family homes and lot sizes, the ordinances require new homes to have stone, brick or other masonry exteriors.

The trio of plaintiffs say the rules violate the federal Fair Housing Act because African American and Hispanic home buyers have been disproportionately pushed out of the local market.

(snip)
The lawsuit grabbed the attention of other Central Texas cities with laws similar to Kyle's that fear the outcome could affect rules throughout Central Texas. Round Rock, Pflugerville, Jonestown and Manor filed briefs in support of Kyle, saying it is unfair for the well-funded NAACP and home builders associations to single out one small city.

Manage growth - sure what kind of growth? Growth for affordable housing?

Kyle says it's unfair for the well funded NAACP to sue to protect the Fair Housing Act. Are they kidding? It's their mission!

Should be interesting to watch.

Sonia

[Tommy Jefferson]

1. Perhaps people should be free to build what they want

Perhaps people should be free to build whatever size house they want?