AFFORDABLE HOUSING ON FORT ORD

LWVMP STATEMENT TO MONTEREY CITY COUNCIL

Housing for our essential workforce is one of the most serious issues the entire Peninsula continues to face. Yesterday's Herald told of a pilot project the Monterey Peninsula Unified School District is considering in order to construct affordable housing for school employees on land it owns in Seaside.

We recognize that the City of Monterey has also been involved in ongoing efforts to help the School District find employee housing.

We commend Monterey for its housing programs which have produced low and moderate-priced housing within its limited boundaries. You have also provided leadership in addressing the workforce housing shortage through cooperative efforts by all the cities.

We all recognize that we are dependent on our workforce for our economic and social well-being, and that their housing needs are not being met. The cost and limited supply of privately-owned land in the cities make it unlikely that new units will be built at prices they can afford. We must use the public lands which are becoming available at the former Fort Ord for new opportunities.

This Friday, October 10, the Fort Ord Reuse Authority Board of Directors is scheduled to consider again the feasibility of implementing affordable housing policies proposed by Congressman Sam Farr and endorsed by many citizens and social groups. These policies would increase the amount of low, moderate and workforce housing to be produced as part of the base reuse plan to approximately 50% of the total. Federal and state income-based definitions of affordability would also be used.

Various studies over the past two years have shown that with reduced land costs this can be done. The need is urgent, and further delay will make it even more difficult to recruit and retain our essential workers, or attract new businesses to the Peninsula.

We ask the City Council to take positive action in support of more affordable housing on Fort Ord, by directing its representatives on the FORA Board to vote in favor of adopting the proposed policies.

Thank you,
    The League of Women Voters of the Monterey Peninsula