Editor:
Alan Collins call’s Plan C’s goal of promoting homeownership for the working and middle class a “Big Lie” – because surveys that show only 11% of San Francisco families can afford to buy a home here. I have several responses. First, those surveys Mr. Collins refers to measure affordability of the median home in San Francisco. How many people do you know who buy a “median” valued home as their starter home? Halfway between the least expensive and most expensive? An average value home? No one. No, first-time homebuyers start out with a home on the low end of the affordability spectrum. The 11% percentage would look a lot different if we asked how many people can afford “starter” homes in the City.
Another response to Mr. Collins would go something like this: just because not enough people can afford a home in San Francisco is not a reason to try to expand homeonership affordability into lower income levels. Right?
And finally, although I don’t know Mr. Collin’s views generally, it’s probably a fair guess that he identifies himself as a “progressive”. I find it really ironic to have pro-homeownership policies challenged by progressives on the basis of affordability, when one of the principal forces driving higher housing prices in San Francisco is the tooth and nail fight by progressives to stop market rate housing construction and condo conversion. The Bay Guardian has openly called for a moratorium on market rate housing in San Francisco, and progressives have led every fight against expanded condo conversion. Progressives are entitled to criticize our efforts to expand homeownership. But if you’re going to push policies that will drive home prices even higher, don’t criticize homeownership on the basis of the affordability problem that you have helped to create.
Mike Sullivan
You can submit letters to the editor by clicking on this link: rshaw@beyondchron.org
or by writing to:
Beyond Chron
126 Hyde Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
415-771-9850 (phone)
415-771-1287 (fax)
