August 14′s edition of the ADN contained two pieces that contrasted the biggest issue in our city. In one, Central Lutheran Church, to its credit, set an example of all the places of faith and said its membership is going to shelter as many people as possible.
In another, the upside-down, backward way our society is built was highlighted: All over the city, condos are going up — not for people but for businesses and things. Even though I’m glad these spaces help small businesses, I can’t help but see a perverse irony here. Imagine those were all small entry-level units for people.
Look around; has anyone seen a multi-family unit built anywhere in a long time, other than by Cook Inlet Housing Association? I recently watched a news story about a small town in Montana where the biggest employer, a local mill, had to close after decades in business because there was no affordable housing for employees.
There is an economic cost to lack of affordable housing, and we are just beginning to feel it here. It’s one of the reasons we have outmigration and hundreds of people living in tents and dilapidated RVs.
— Shawn O’Donnell
Anchorage
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