HomeMy WebLinkAbout6/10/2020 Item 3, Pyburn
Wilbanks, Megan
From:susan pyburn <
To:CityClerk; Cohen, Rachel
Cc:Harmon, Heidi
Subject:Housing Element
Note to City Clerk: I ask you to please include my letter to all members of the council as
well as the Planning Commission.
Dear Rachel and City Council members,
I live in San Luis Obispo at 1061 Grove Street. In my professional career I was involved
in developing programs to house low-income people with disabilities as well as helping
them to access the ever-shrinking supply of subsidized housing for people of lower
incomes than yours and mine.
This is a community issue that plagues all communities across the nation, with
increasing severity. Inclusionary zoning is a powerful tool in the toolbox; a
straightforward and direct means of actually increasing the pool of funds available to
create housing that is truly affordable for low-wage workers and people with disabilities.
This is a no-brainer.
With shock and disappointment,I note the figure of 2% suggested as the recommended
contribution to this pool of funds. As a citizen of this town, I am ashamed. Surely you
can do better than this. Do not allow the development community to control your votes
for ALL citizens and workers in San Luis Obispo. I suggest 20%...which is the standard
of practice in many California cities. Which fact I am sure you know.
The city of SLO is a wealthy community. We can do this.You have an opportunity to
stand up for the integrity of your office, to actually lead - which is what you were elected
to do. Your job is not to satisfy the wishes and pockets of developers. Your job is to
create a harmonious and equitable community. In the long run, people who are safely
and decently housed create communities that are vibrant and healthy ... communities in
which homeless people are not forced to beg on every street corner. Think about it. This
is a good bet on every level.
Susan Pyburn
805-801-0672
Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.
1
Martin Luther King Jr.
A Lens of Her Own www.aloho.us
also:http://herownlens.smugmug.com
2