Praise for Peoples’ Self-Help Housing

The county Board of Supervisors doesn’t need to designate a million taxpayer dollars to “analyze” the lack of affordable housing in San Luis Obispo County. Hiring consultants to tell them what they already know is a waste of money. Lack of affordable housing in our county has been an issue for decades, and will continue to be an ongoing problem.

The reference to the “median priced home” is irrelevant to the first time buyer. Median priced homes are typically purchased by move-up buyers who transfer their equity from their prior residence. It is simply a statistical calculation, and often used as a benchmark when it doesn’t apply. A more meaningful comparison would be the trending of the increase in the lowest priced homes in the county over the past five years.

The funds spent on analyzing the affordability issue should be given to People’s Self-Help Housing. They provide measurable results in making first-time home ownership a reality. Their adeptness at converting cash into tangible projects has been proven. They are a grass-roots organization that deals directly with those families needing housing. Action, not analysis.

This story was originally published June 28, 2017 at 8:49 AM with the headline "Praise for Peoples’ Self-Help Housing."