By E.A. Barrera
Photo by E.A. Barrera: Property in Lakeside saved from development by CEQA
February 16, 2019 (San Diego) --- There is a false and very dangerous idea being advanced that somehow the crises of affordable housing can be solved by weakening or gutting the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and other zoning and environmental protections.
Groups calling themselves "Yimby" (Yes in my backyard) have formed across the state. At first glance their intentions seem great - organize and advance the development of greater densities within existing neighborhoods to provide more housing for low income residents.
But these organizations have swiftly become fronts for development, real estate and banking interests who seek to eliminate all rules regarding development. These interests push a tired and flatly deceptive line that if only they could be allowed to develop more supply, the trickle down effect would be lower prices across the board in housing.
DO NOT BE FOOLED!
This is nothing but corporate greed rearing it's ugly head once more and seeking the same conditions of inflated, artificial price gouging which caused the problem of un-affordable housing in the first place.
Ask anyone - specifically politicians - advocating "increasing housing supply" the basic question ... How many new dwellings would have to be built in any neighborhood to make housing affordable to a person earning $15-$20 per hour?
A better solution to the affordable housing crises is to increase government regulation and oversight of the real estate and development industry, removing such things as "in lieu of fees" to local governing agencies, which developers take advantage of to avoid any development of low income housing.
End the practice of development on open space when redevelopment of older neighborhoods, and specifically abandoned or under-used retail and office space could be redeveloped into affordable housing.
Force all elected officials to do their jobs and protect the greater good of their constituents from the short term greed of developer interests. Protecting the environment and providing affordable housing are not mutually exclusive. This is a golden opportunity to institute sustainable planning and development that can lead to a better, cleaner and more equitable situation for all of us in California.
DON'T BE FOOLED BY DEVELOPMENT DECEPTION TACTICS!
The opinions in this editorial reflect the views of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of East County Magazine. To submit an editorial for consideration, contact editor@eastcountymagazine.org.