Senior Housing and Affordable Housing

By Lee Yarborough

There is a recognized need for senior housing and affordable housing.

I am especially concerned that critical professions that are essential to the well being of our community are becoming increasingly difficult to recruit because candidates can no longer afford to live near their work. These include such skilled positions as teachers, nurses and police officers among others. I believe that our policy makers should work with our neighboring jurisdictions and organizations affected to bring about a plan to address this problem.

We should also attempt to improve and legalize the supply of existing affordable housing which are now illegal second units. I was very succesful as Daly City Public Works Director in adopting a second unit "amnesty" program. "Amnesty" would provide a window during which time applicants could legalize units. The "amnesty" program would require that second units be brought up to minimum Health and Safety Code standards together with other City Requirements. This would allow the City to thereafter pursue strict enforcement so as to preserve the residential quality of neighborhoods. Right now there is little or no enforcement.

Reducing the burden of delay and work induced by unnecessary City procedures and processes would also make housing more affordable.