tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481238059942383326.post9047369872500677205..comments2023-11-28T20:40:14.193-08:00Comments on Fix Pacifica: The serious need for affordable housing in the Bay Area, including our cityFix Pacificahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14451072441256706977noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481238059942383326.post-13194425157324344882014-03-02T17:34:45.278-08:002014-03-02T17:34:45.278-08:00Slippery slope for a town like Pacifica with no we...Slippery slope for a town like Pacifica with no well-paid jobs other than city jobs and the public schools and precious little developable land. Yes, I include jobs in education. Teachers are certainly not paid what they're worth to society, but better paid than most, and the pension and benies are enviable. As they should be.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481238059942383326.post-32247661752546969242014-03-02T11:14:22.484-08:002014-03-02T11:14:22.484-08:00The conversation on the need for affordable work-f...The conversation on the need for affordable work-force housing is taking place throughout San Mateo County. Each city has the opportunity to develop a plan to house their teachers, retail workers, seniors, veterans, single parents, young adults starting out, and older middle class that continues to be impacted by the economic downturn. These are not neer-do-wells, but our friends and neighbors. With the strong sense of community in Pacifica, this is hopefully a topic that the city will be able to move forward with. There are outstanding models of what this type of housing looks like that should be explored. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481238059942383326.post-48981921207163220732014-03-01T22:18:29.783-08:002014-03-01T22:18:29.783-08:00The hippies again? Most of the aging hippies from ...The hippies again? Most of the aging hippies from the Summer of Love era that I know of are doing just fine. They're retired or soon to retire middle to upper-managers, teachers, building trades. Lots of civil servants. Many of them also benefit from nice inheritances from their Greatest Generation parents who knew the value of a dollar. I don't think we can pin this one on the old hippies. The poor are always with us and today they are more diverse in background and life story than ever.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481238059942383326.post-86691763213284453842014-03-01T21:54:51.989-08:002014-03-01T21:54:51.989-08:00Dan, Bill or whatever your name is, I feel sorry f...Dan, Bill or whatever your name is, I feel sorry for you.<br /><br />There are 1000's of hard working people that would save more if they didn't spend most of their paycheck on rent. Single moms working 2 jobs, seniors who worked hard living on $1000 a month, disabled vets that saved all our asses barely getting by. Those are just a few that you can look down on as the fool on the hill.<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481238059942383326.post-11604594917147441032014-03-01T20:33:50.792-08:002014-03-01T20:33:50.792-08:00Well 3:47, I guess that perhaps I am a bit elitist...Well 3:47, I guess that perhaps I am a bit elitist. Every City/town in the country has some residents who have always been underemployed or neer-do-well, and require community support. However, there are also those multitudes who hopped in their VW buses during the Summer of Love and headed for Cali-for-ni-a. The only meaningful work that many of them have done all these years is to go to the beach and work on their tans. They are now paying the price because they never prepared themselves for retirement. Meanwhile, I worked almost forty years at a job I disliked, saved, and now enjoy a modest pension. So no, I don't feel any sympathy toward those types. If that makes me an elitist, then I feel honored to carry that title.Dan Murraynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481238059942383326.post-82391455230839209022014-03-01T20:24:29.756-08:002014-03-01T20:24:29.756-08:00Get real. All you prove is that those other cities...Get real. All you prove is that those other cities are also affordable. The comparison that counts is to SF and the Peninsula. Even SF realtors identify Pacifica as a bargain when their clients go into cardiac arrest over SF and Peninsula prices. They will also say that while we share a somewhat short SF commute with DC, SB and SSF, we have better scenery and lower density with all that open space. They describe this town as quirky, free spirited, beachy. We own the "affordable" title among commuter towns this side of the bay.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481238059942383326.post-67320521789729841892014-03-01T18:09:44.198-08:002014-03-01T18:09:44.198-08:00Pacifica is far from the bargain it was compared t...Pacifica is far from the bargain it was compared to our neighbors.<br /><br />Median home prices Dec-Feb<br /><br />Pacifica $625K<br /><br />Daly City $594K<br /><br />SSF $625K<br /><br />San Bruno $618K<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481238059942383326.post-62325378653573422882014-03-01T18:06:28.154-08:002014-03-01T18:06:28.154-08:00housing doesn't pay its way. that's the ma...housing doesn't pay its way. that's the mantra. No housing. Period. No market rate to subsidize affordable. Forgetaboutit. Why debate this when it will never happen? Another fantasyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481238059942383326.post-62678322833826863562014-03-01T16:36:50.893-08:002014-03-01T16:36:50.893-08:00347 Your views are just a tad paternalistic. Or, y...347 Your views are just a tad paternalistic. Or, you're mad for housing development, and, in desperation, think this is the way to get it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481238059942383326.post-12886400577931353702014-03-01T16:30:23.825-08:002014-03-01T16:30:23.825-08:00303 You say..."each new project." Wave t...303 You say..."each new project." Wave the affordable wand and shazaam we have a developer who wants to build housing and call 20% of it affordable. He's just been waiting at the gate. More likely, we could have attracted any number of builders in the past to build 100% affordable or subsidized projects. Nothing new, but we're not getting anything else built...except that library.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481238059942383326.post-91574605185752034842014-03-01T16:17:49.801-08:002014-03-01T16:17:49.801-08:00If 4 market rate units are built in Pacifica for e...If 4 market rate units are built in Pacifica for every affordable unit, then that would be a good thing for Pacifica. That's a big if. We already have the "affordable" reputation for this area in the real estate market place. It's important to maintain that 4 to 1 ratio lest we develop a reputation for being "officially" affordable. In a town with no industry and no well-paid jobs, other than with the city, we all benefit from the revenue created by stable, upward- trending property values. All of us, owner and renter alike. We're very short on land and affordable projects are an easier finance and an easier build. This is something this city can screw up royally and with the best of intentions.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481238059942383326.post-90935874482225857162014-03-01T15:47:35.433-08:002014-03-01T15:47:35.433-08:00Dan, to suggest that the roughly one in four Pacif...Dan, to suggest that the roughly one in four Pacificans surviving on slightly more than the county poverty level somehow did this to themselves is an elitist close minded view. Get out more.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481238059942383326.post-28089310888839627062014-03-01T15:03:40.027-08:002014-03-01T15:03:40.027-08:00Dan said "when is enough simply enough?"...Dan said "when is enough simply enough?"<br /><br />Pacifica has done pretty much zero to encourage any affordable housing. <br /><br />Pacifica taxpayers wont have to pay anything to build in some affordable housing into each new project. This is paid for by tax incentives that the builders actually want and need. It can mean that more new development happens. Isn't that what we want?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481238059942383326.post-47508332078897930032014-03-01T12:25:47.536-08:002014-03-01T12:25:47.536-08:00There was a State mandate several years back that ...There was a State mandate several years back that required every city in California to provide a certain amount of affordable housing. If I remember correctly, a year or so ago, there was a matrix from the City of Pacifica that was published ( on this website?) that showed the number of affordable units by type constructed to date, as well as the number still needed to meet the State mandate. While Pacifica still has a ways to go, other entities such as Hillsborough and Los Altos Hills have yet to even enter the planning stage toward such construction. Eventually at some future date,Pacifica will meet the State mandate. However, the concern will always be the possibility that the "mandate numbers/percentages" will continue to increase, adding a further burden to California cities. While I don't think many people object to giving their neighbors a helping hand, at some point, it becomes too much to ask. These are tough times, but is it fair to keep asking those who have conservatively earned and saved all their lives to look after those who haven't? It's very similar to that children's story, "The Ant and The Grasshopper." Just look around at your neighbors and acquaintances. How many of them were living the high life when times were good; big homes, fancy cars and vacations, and now struggle just for the basics ? Do we "ants" have to keep providing for these "grasshoppers?" If so, when is enough simply enough?Dan Murraynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481238059942383326.post-15135025761236753722014-02-28T18:26:37.389-08:002014-02-28T18:26:37.389-08:00The Mercy projects are subsidized. One way or anot...The Mercy projects are subsidized. One way or another most housing labeled affordable is subsidized--either by gov't, non-profit, or the other residents paying full market<br />price. I don't disagree that we need some. Just an FYI.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481238059942383326.post-88807386914439616212014-02-28T18:23:34.415-08:002014-02-28T18:23:34.415-08:00Yeah, especially if the other 80% of the units wer...Yeah, especially if the other 80% of the units were priced at market rate! Give us a dozen of those projects. We've got to help those people. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481238059942383326.post-32343357544860266382014-02-28T17:27:47.965-08:002014-02-28T17:27:47.965-08:00312 These are not Valencia Gardens we're talki...312 These are not Valencia Gardens we're talking about. These are not low income subsidized housing or projects. these are affordable housing for working families and seniors. YOU need to walk through one of the many Avalon LUXURY apartment buildings in which 20% of the units are set aside as affordable. YOU need to walk through a Mercy Housing building full of hard working families and seniors. These are not derelict drug attic criminals. We have a Mercy building a half a block away in SF. The people are honest regular people. There's never any cops or trouble at the building near us. They are great neighbors. If we had this in Pacifica it would help pull up so many families here that are struggling and it would help our economy at the same time.Hutchnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481238059942383326.post-64352620272791298432014-02-28T17:01:28.736-08:002014-02-28T17:01:28.736-08:00I wouldn't count on Google or the GGNRA to lif...I wouldn't count on Google or the GGNRA to lift Pacifica out of the muck. Now, if the city wants to partner with some group to build affordable/subsidized/multi-use and put up the land, then we might have a ballgame. Something for that new committee to work on. If the library bond fails this fall or next spring, maybe the city will entertain more practical ideas for the use of its property-- the OWWTP, corp yard on Oceana, all that property on Francisco. Change!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481238059942383326.post-79466889872129707632014-02-28T16:20:36.151-08:002014-02-28T16:20:36.151-08:00Hey, I think affordable housing (private or public...Hey, I think affordable housing (private or public subsidies) could be our niche! Nothing else has been built here in decades--other than the random in-fill SFR. <br />Become more densely populated and grab some public transit dollars. Just need to call it something else to avoid the typical reaction. Remember the snit in Park Pacifica when affordable was mentioned for the old Oddstad school site? Or limit it to affordable senior housing. Seems like the elderly are less threatening. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481238059942383326.post-63566393623944457292014-02-28T15:34:19.914-08:002014-02-28T15:34:19.914-08:00At their last meeting (2/24/14), City Council agre...At their last meeting (2/24/14), City Council agreed to move forward with an Affordable Housing Study Session. Good for them! Let's build more affordable housing, for the balanced needs of our community<br /><br />Besides the very small low income apartment building across from the golf course what else has the city allowed to be built?<br /><br />The crybaby's and nimbys chased away the assisted living center behind park mall away.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481238059942383326.post-50423811318733484392014-02-28T15:12:41.808-08:002014-02-28T15:12:41.808-08:00Hutch
You need to walk through Double Rock or do ...Hutch<br /><br />You need to walk through Double Rock or do you remember Valencia Gardens.<br /><br />Would you want that in your neighborhood?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481238059942383326.post-46257256885216622602014-02-28T15:10:16.160-08:002014-02-28T15:10:16.160-08:00205, okay with your attitude about those who do no...205, okay with your attitude about those who do not have huge incomes or did not buy housing years ago on the cheap, let's see if GGNRA (federal land) will build affordable housing on their "lots of open space, not in your neighborhood" property. (This is the same property Pacifica gave-up of course.) <br /><br />Affordable housing is needed in this city, as it is most everywhere people live. People who work and don't work all need housing. Actually the city does have some affordable and low-income housing now-- mostly seniors, who do not seem to be trashing their neighborhoods. <br /><br />Why would you choose to defend our city property "value and reputation" when more densely populated cities in San Mateo County (with more affordable housing) have higher property values? <br /> <br />At their last meeting (2/24/14), City Council agreed to move forward with an Affordable Housing Study Session. Good for them! Let's build more affordable housing, for the balanced needs of our community.Kathy Meehhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14000878422176050692noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481238059942383326.post-91739263806194463292014-02-28T14:28:12.242-08:002014-02-28T14:28:12.242-08:00Q. Why would a developer want to build affordable ...Q. Why would a developer want to build affordable housing?<br /><br />A. Google and other investors have been giving developers millions UP FRONT to start these projects. Then they are repaid plus interest when the builder receives their low-income housing tax credit after the project is completed.<br /><br />http://www.novoco.com/journal/2010/06/news_lihtc_201006.phpHutchnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481238059942383326.post-27157329500961647202014-02-28T14:05:19.622-08:002014-02-28T14:05:19.622-08:00Hutch, you cannot assume that affordable housing w...Hutch, you cannot assume that affordable housing would have the same negligible effect on property values here as in SF. It would impact our much smaller market in terms of value and reputation. Everyone likes the idea, but no one wants it next door.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481238059942383326.post-53929550802036767422014-02-28T13:57:35.022-08:002014-02-28T13:57:35.022-08:00Pacifica can't afford additional affordable ho...Pacifica can't afford additional affordable housing. We already have the well-earned reputation of being a bargain with lower end housing stock and a generally run down look.<br />Yes, that applies even though the shacks start at $500K. Want to improve Pacifica for the people who live here? Aim higher. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com