Mailbag: City needs more affordable housing for families

City needs more affordable housing for families

I read the article by Bradley Zint, “Council Seeks Rezoning for Motels,” (Oct. 9). The City Council majority has noted to rezone the areas of problem motels (that house very low income families, the disabled, seniors) from commercial to high-density residential.

Costa Mesa officials must provide supportive, permanent housing for the motel residents before demolishing motels for luxury apartments. It is understood that the motels are private property.

Why can’t the city buy some of the property for supportive housing? Mercy House has met with city officials, and in a public meeting, so we are aware of their services and nice-looking, well maintained properties. Our city must work to provide such housing. The council is to represent and serve the entire population of our city — not the developers.

Where does the council majority believe that former motel residents will go? Many of the motel residents are working very low paying jobs, raising families and trying to provide for their families. Their children attend our schools.

Does anyone know how many Estancia High School sports team members are living in motels? To just uproot these families is discriminatory.

The Costa Mesa City Council must represent and serve the needs of all residents and abandon this discriminatory policy of emptying out 236 units at the Costa Mesa Motor Inn for luxury apartments with no plans for affordable supportive housing.

Margaret Mooney

Costa Mesa

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I don’t like website redesign

That change to the website is a major blow. Change it back or you have lost this reader, and probably many others. I’m a daily reader.

Marc Ritchie

Costa Mesa