Affordabe Housing Solutions

By Ken Gray

Build new or rehabilitate existing housing units on Fort Ord and have the local jurisdictions retain ownership. Either sell the units using the CSUMB model or lease them using the Preston Park model. In both cases the units can remain permanently affordable and provide substantial income to the local jurisdictions.

Everyone seems to agree that the best hope to address the shortage of affordable housing is through redevelopment at Fort Ord. Despite the recognized need, most housing projects planned for Fort Ord will produce market rate single family homes. Kaufman and Broad is proceeding with plans to demolish the 400 unit Hayes housing area and replace it with market rate single family homes. The Watt/Chatmar Group is proposing a similar project for the 900 unit Abrams Park and there are proposals for a golf course/luxury housing project at Parker Flats.

Of course all the developments will include inclusionary housing; usually 10-30% of the units are designated for low or moderate incomes. If the need is for affordable housing, why are 70-90% of the proposed units planned to be unaffordable for working people?

What's worse no one seems to be interested in supplying housing to meet the existing need. All the talk for Fort Ord housing seems to be focused on providing new housing for the new jobs that will be created on Fort Ord. What's being done to address our current needs?

On Fort Ord there are alternatives. At CSUMB the University is selling housing to its facility and staff while retaining ownership of the underlying land with deed restrictions which limit appreciation and require that when the units are sold they must go to University employees. At Preston Park the City of Marina has facilitated the leasing of over 300 former military homes at affordable rates. With both of these approaches the long term affordability of the units is assured.

Why not expand this concept? Build new or rehabilitate existing housing units on Fort Ord and have the local jurisdictions retain ownership. Either sell the units using the CSUMB model or lease them using the Preston Park model. In both cases the units can remain permanently affordable and provide substantial income to the jurisdictions. This approach has the potential to significantly improve the availability of affordable housing in our region. Thousands of units could be made available. Relying on inclusionary housing ordinances will not do the job. With the local jurisdictions obtaining fee title to property at no cost from the Army we have a unique one time opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of working people. Let's not waste this chance!