HOUSING ON FORT ORD

Hon. Jerry Smith, Chair
Fort Ord Reuse Authority Board
100 12th Street
Marina, CA 93933

Dear Mayor Smith and Board Members,

The League of Women Voters of the Monterey Peninsula strongly supports the efforts of Congressman Sam Farr to make sure that more of the future housing developed on Ft. Ord will be affordable to residents and workers in the Monterey Bay region. We appreciate the response of the FORA Board and staff over the past two years. Valuable information has been gained as to what could be done to produce good quality homes for households with low, moderate and workforce level incomes. The recent review process has brought together ideas from many individuals with experience in planning, financing, and building. While they represent different community interests, they have worked in a productive spirit of collaboration. We also commend the FORA staff for the many hours they have given to the process.

Our principal concern has already been raised by Congressman Farr in his letter to FORA Executive Officer Michael Houlemard of May 22, and again in his letter to you of July 1. We agree that the July 11 meeting is the time for the FORA Board to adopt not just one or more financial strategies, but a comprehensive housing policy by consensus. This should provide the framework for creating and maintaining a supply of affordable housing, which may involve using various means over time.

Even the Housing Trust Fund proposal recommended by staff and the working groups will need Board policy to guide its implementation. If the working committee members are asked to continue their service, they should also have the commitment of the Board for the long term.

Possibly the most important policy to be set is expressed in the Workforce Housing Project Final Recommendations forwarded to you for the upcoming meeting. The first recommendation of the Full Working Group states:

"All jurisdictions in the county should work together and cooperatively to address and develop affordable/sustainable workforce housing opportunities."

We also urge you to adopt definitions which are consistent with those used by federal and state housing programs and lenders, with income levels and ranges of affordability for home purchase or rents based on the County median income. The addition of a "workforce" category should be clearly explained in terms of the percentage of the area median income, e.g., 120-150%. You should not accept the assumption that most households will have two incomes, or that they may have to spend up to 50% on housing. Many professionals and skilled workers are single heads of households, some with dependents. They are entitled to have the opportunity to buy affordable homes, without sacrificing to meet other basic needs.

The basis for allocating water to proposed new housing should be established by Board-adopted policy and priorities.

More than ten years ago, housing consultants emphasized the need to improve the jobs/housing balance among communities and throughout the region. The high cost of housing on the Peninsula was seen as a deterrent to attracting new business and stimulating economic recovery following base closure.

Economic forecasts for Monterey County are for continued reliance on existing major industries, and related small businesses. Some of our largest employers are educational, health care, and government agencies. They all have difficulty recruiting and keeping employees here.

As an important regional agency, FORA has the opportunity and some unique resources to help change the pattern of housing costs in the area. We ask you to assure the public that their concerns and recommendations are being heard, and that all of your members are committed to affordable housing for local residents and workers.

Sincerely,

Beverly G. Bean, D.V.M., President