Letter: Housing need

To the editor:

The Sept. 28 Journal-World includes two pieces that some might not realize are related: the front page article on the sales tax break for the Eldridge Hotel expansion project and David Smith’s letter discussing homelessness and affordable housing.

The poverty rate in Lawrence is 24.8 percent. Our severely underfunded Section 8 program, which subsidizes housing for low-wage earners, can only provide help for one in four qualifying people.

Searching the regular market, a current guest at the shelter with a $9/hour job could only find a $600 one-bedroom apartment or a $500 room in a private home, neither feasible on her income. Adding water, trash and utility fees and $25 to $35 nonrefundable application fees results in yet another stressed, unhoused working Lawrencian.

When Boulder, Colo., officials noticed effects of economic development decisions on the poor and working class in their community, they made affordable housing a priority with funding sources for permanent affordable housing located throughout their city.

Our mayor and three commissioners take seriously the needed balance of economic development and affordable housing. Support them and groups like Justice Matters in protecting and expanding affordable housing for all income levels, including those who work in our local industries and who serve our visitors.