HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-10-2017 - GodseyCOUNCIL MEETING:. - Iv -I
RECEIVED
ITEM NO.: PV61Je. _L�.,.+y►+en JAN 10
2017
From: Melissa Godsey
Sent: Tuesday, January 10, 2017 1:26 PM
To: E-mail Council Website <ernailcouncil@slocity.orp
Subject: Attn: City Council, Re: City Priorities, HOUSING
Dear SLO City Council: Heidi Harmon, Andy Pease, Aaron Gomez, Carlyn Christianson, and Dan Rivoire,
I'm unable to attend tonight's meeting in person (husband is working late and I'm home with both kiddos), but I
think it's important you hear from me, as my family's circumstance is common, and the young -family
demographic is one that particularly struggles to engage in city matters, both due to the demanding nature of
caring for babies and small children, and the demanding nature of work schedules.
Though I have many hopes and concerns for the city of San Luis Obispo, I'm writing today with a single
priority in mind: housing.
The need for affordable housing in the city of SLO is clear; it's an inherited problem of leadership past, a wrong
that you're in the unique position of righting, should you choose to exercise the strength of leadership necessary
to do so.
In attendance tonight are many of my own friends and colleagues (particularly those in SLO U40) who I trust
will make the case for increased housing in a manner that addresses the many facets of the issue thoughtfully,
articulately, and with long term sustainability in mind. I have faith that they have all the bases covered, so rather
than make those arguments myself, know that I affirm their remarks, and what follows isI hope—an angle
that's perhaps less well represented.
In the year 2016 alone, five different families in our circle of community have moved out of state, and this
doesn't count the other families who have relocated elsewhere within the county. (Several other families are
openly exploring the idea.) Since 2010 we've lost nearly all of our close friends to relocation. Neighborhoods in
Colorado, Tennessee, Texas, Oregon, and Washington are directly benefitting from an influx of hardworking,
loving families from SLO. Our loss is their gain.
Unanimously, the problem is cost of living, driven primarily by the cost of housing (both purchase and rental).
The housing gap is decimating our community, and I have to believe that if it's happening to my family, it's
happening to other families as well.
When people say they want to "keep SLO small," I don't think they understand that by restricting growth,
they're pushing families like mine out. Realistically there's only so much longer we (and families like ours) can
continue paying rent here before we have to do the what's in our long term best -interest and purchase a home
elsewhere. (We're in the fortunate position of having a landlord who's chosen to rent us her home for half of
what she could charge if she were renting it to students. Bless her!) And what will happen to our "small town
community" when the young families are forced out? The demographics in SLO will become further polarized.
You think we have "town/gown" friction now? Wait until all that's left are students, retirees and vacationers.
I challenge you to own the problem you've inherited, and unify behind a vision for SLO that reasonably enables
all of us to find our place here. Here are some concrete steps that could be taken:
1. Prioritize housing development over commercial. There are plenty of vacant commercial spaces all over
town, and we have plenty of hotels.
2. Reduce fees for home owners who wish to build "granny" units on their property, so long as they're
permanent residences and not short-term or vacation rentals.
3. Make deed restriction a requirement for all (or most) new housing built in the city.
4. Consider how you can specifically support teachers, law enforcement, nurses, etc. in finding affordable
housing in the city.
Thank you for your service, and for acting in the best interest of all of us. I'm encouraged that we might see
some forward momentum on the housing issue before I age -out of SLO U40 in 7 years. ;)
Best of luck in this process,
Melissa Godsey
Melissa Jenna Godsey
0&0
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