A report delivered to local officials this week may provide some basis for action to provide more affordable housing in Lawrence.

While “affordable” housing has been a topic of much conversation in campaigns and public meetings, it’s been difficult for officials to get their arms around the problem. We want people who work in Lawrence to be able to live and raise families here, but it was difficult to see how to offset the effects of a popular, but increasingly costly, housing market.

After an intensive weeklong study of the city’s housing situation an Omaha, Neb., consultant was able to recommend some specific, concrete steps the city could take that may make it easier for more people to own homes in Lawrence. None of the ideas are monumental but, taken together, they could have a significant impact.

One of the steps was to have an independent party look at the city’s development process to see whether the city’s regulations and development process unnecessarily increase housing costs. A related step was to create a “one-stop” shop for building and development permits.

These ideas are consistent with recent discussions about making Lawrence more customer-friendly. While officials should be careful not to eliminate regulations that are important to maintaining the high quality of development in Lawrence, they should be open to the possibility that some changes may ease the development process – and the cost – without affecting the end product.

The consultant also suggested the city could look at special financing options for affordable subdivisions and targeted reduction of fees for affordable housing developments. The city also should look at ways to upgrade existing neighborhoods by purchasing houses that need renovation and providing more support for organizations like Tenants to Homeowners and the city’s Neighborhood Resources Department.

The overall message was that increasing the availability of homes that low- and moderate-income families can afford is not an impossible goal. It may call for some investment and innovation, but it can pay off the city in the long haul in many ways.

Dilapidated houses in rundown neighborhoods shouldn’t be the only “affordable” housing in the community. Lawrence values the fact that it is home to diverse socioeconomic groups. Although it has become a popular home for many people who can afford to buy houses at the upper end of the market, we also want to be the home of blue-collar workers and young families who are trying to buy their first homes.

Lawrence is an attractive place to live, but it would be too bad if that popularity led to a resort-type atmosphere where people who hold average jobs couldn’t afford to live here. City officials should look carefully at the recommendations presented this week and move forward on ideas to try to bolster the availability of good, moderately priced real estate in Lawrence.