- This topic has 59 replies, 15 voices, and was last updated 7 years, 7 months ago by JoB.
-
AuthorPosts
-
August 30, 2016 at 8:04 am #856135
skeeterParticipantYou make some good points as always, JoB. I hear you about the lack of vouchers and waiting lists for subsidized housing. I have lived in the mixed income development of Highpoint for 9 years now. Half of my neighbors are in SHA housing. I spend a lot of time outdoors and in parks so I meet a lot of neighbors. One thing I’ve noticed is people tend to stay in SHA housing a long time. Many, many years in most cases. In an ideal situation, low income housing would be just a 1 or 2 year solution to help people out as they get on their feet. But if we have families staying for years it doesn’t open up the inventory to new people in need. Honestly, I don’t blame people for staying. Highpoint is beautiful and safe and clean. I love living there and wouldn’t leave unless someone forced me out.
August 30, 2016 at 9:49 am #856142
captainDaveParticipantnewnative: What do you mean there is nothing wrong with the roads? People used to commute from much longer distances into Seattle then they can today. Freeways were a great invention back when they carried traffic at 70 MPH. Current ICLIE (UN driven) planning standards are designed to create limited supply and high-proffit opportunities for crony developers. Their first priority is to block the ability for people to easily commute from cheaper areas. Seattle is a testing ground for ICLEI standards world wide–that’s why our ability to commute has be so aggressively strangled. Just keep voting for socialists and you will never see an equitable solution to the low-income housing crisis.
August 30, 2016 at 10:09 am #856144
newnativeParticipantI take public transit for work and while there have been snares, it seems to be incredibly reliable. I don’t see a problem with the roads, I see a problem with the sheer amount of drivers. People who want to leave late and arrive on time, people who want door-to-door service, people that enjoy the freedom driving a car alone, people that want to spread their lifestyle all over a region. I see a noticeable difference in the traffic back ups when fewer people are riding the bus.
August 30, 2016 at 12:28 pm #856163
JoBParticipantskeeter.. i was recently reminded of one of the housing voucher rules that makes little or no sense in today’s housing market.. they are not allowed to rent in a roommate situation. that means that two people with vouchers can not combine them to rent one dwelling.. or one person with a voucher can’t use it to rent a room with shared amenities…
and.. believe it or not.. any rental they find has to exceed the standards for renting to the general public. Hmmm..
i understand that the rational behind both rules was good.. to prevent government subsidized slum housing.. but when the alternative is the streets….
August 30, 2016 at 12:36 pm #856164
JoBParticipantnew native.. when hubby worked downtown.. he took the bus.
he now works in Fremont.. he doesn’t.
reason? even though the commute to Fremont every day is problematic.. at it’s worst, it is less than half that of the bus commute..and at it’s best.. a quarter of the time.since he works long intense hours for a very competitive company, using the bus would make his work day untenable… and he is no longer a young man who works hard all day and parties hard all night.
we considered moving to fremont when his job changed… but ultimately chose to remain in West Seattle because of the connections we have made here and because finding a similar yard for our then dogs (we now are reduced to one who could manage apartment or condo living) was nearly impossible.
To move now, i would have to give up my gardens.. both flower and vegetable :( And reasonable access to my friends… as a semi shut-in that would greatly reduce my options.
I can see that you might think of those as “personal choices” and they are.. but they are the kinds of personal choices that make a huge difference in our quality of life..
i wish there were better transit solutions..
but until there are labeling everyone who commutes by car selfish is not the answer.August 30, 2016 at 1:50 pm #856185
newnativeParticipantWell, I never used that kind of language so I’m not sure why you’re bringing it up. I do think overall in the grand scheme of things like city planning, transit and affordability, the car lifestyle needs to be addressed. The problem of inaccessible neighborhoods could be greatly alleviated with the promotion of public transit, be it rail or frequent buses. People complain about the taxes, cost or undesirable effects of bus stops, bus riders in their neighborhood, etc. So, improvements aren’t made, neighborhoods are closed off, routes are cut and then more people say they are driving to work/school/play. Endless cycle.
August 30, 2016 at 6:29 pm #856200
JoBParticipantWe agree. i too would back investments in public transit… if feasible.. hubby would much rather ride than drive.
September 12, 2016 at 6:40 pm #857546
JKBParticipantTonight the mayor says Seattle taxpayers need to “step up” with more funds to “end homelessness”.
September 13, 2016 at 4:16 am #857575
ernieusafretParticipantMom always said “If you can’t say anything nice about someone, don’t say anything”
So all I will say is “You first mayor”.September 13, 2016 at 11:56 am #857617
JoBParticipanti think the Mayor needs to stop spending our funds on studies and stopgap measures..
but that’s just a personal observation -
AuthorPosts
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.