No Need to Fear Construction of Low-Cost Homes
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“Hundreds Oppose Proposal for Low-Income Housing” (The Times, Nov. 28) struck a familiar but distressing chord. Those who protest the placement of affordable housing invariably perpetuate myths about its impact on the surrounding community.
Homeless and low-income families are not criminals, nor are they necessarily magnets for crime, gangs and drugs. More than half are innocent children. Secondly, the days of warehouse-type, high-density housing projects are gone. Such developments are being replaced by multiple “scattered site” homes and apartments that have been shown to have little negative impact on traffic, schools or crime rates.
The city of Glendora is merely meeting the state-mandated obligation to provide its fair share of affordable housing. According to a survey by the California Coalition for Rural Housing, Glendora has provided less than half of the low-cost housing it needs. The city’s efforts are especially necessary now that so many Glendora residents are being priced out of the housing market and left out on the streets.
The “not-in-my-back-yard” mentality only serves to perpetuate stereotypes and deny low-income families access to safe neighborhoods, good schools and a decent roof over their head.
CALLIE HUTCHISON
Executive Director
California Homeless
and Housing Coalition
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