04/14/2005 4:36:43 PM PDT
· 35 of 40 cali
to exDemMom
affordable housing does not require a condo developers free-for-all. affordable housing involves rental reform, community activism, and other political actions that do not impede the work of environmentalists.
04/14/2005 4:19:07 PM PDT
· 33 of 40 cali
to passionfruit
I am not able to afford a home in the California communities that I would want to live in; my family has left the state and I have no property to inherit...and yet I am very opposed to legislation that would supposedly make it easier to build "much needed" homes in our state. The truth is that ANY individual who prioritizes home ownership CAN purchase a home. Compromises may be necessary regarding location / size / budgeting other purchases etc. But more development is not the answer to improving quality of life. Personally, I would like to see more of these lucky individuals who find themselves in possession of $600,000 properties to include small affordable rentals on their properties. I live in a very affordable cottage on such a property and am very happy as a renting Californian. It allows me to invest my income in other ways without the long-term responsibilities of being anchored to a specific location. Owning a home goes hand in hand with other commitments like raising a family and contributing to the community you live in. Simply making thousands of cookie-cutter houses/condos/units affordable is not going to nourish communities in the way that is needed to truly create "The American Dream". Many, maybe most, Californians who are experiencing housing crises could be better helped by rental reform than by building development.