Newport needs more affordable homes for seniors

In contrast to several other letters to the editor on the subject of

affordable housing on Lower Bayview Landing, mine shall be brief, but

pithy. Not since I had the privilege to serve on the Newport Beach

City Council (1974-78) has there been an affordable housing project

for seniors. I spearheaded and supported the establishment of Oasis

and the entitlement for the Lutheran Church of the Masters project on

Pacific View Drive. Both projects only came into being because of the

availability of federal funds. They were passed by my City Council

despite allegations of socialism, if not communism, as raison d’etre.

The Lutheran Church of the Master project was completed for occupancy

of 99 seniors in 1982. Today, there is a waiting list of more than

150 qualified seniors.

I beg to differ: The apartments for seniors near the Oasis Senior

Center are not affordable. Their last sale was more than $500,000.

Suffice it to say that the city of Newport Beach is violating the

state-proscribed allotment for affordable senior housing. To be

simplistic: For every large housing project built in our city, the

state mandates that a certain dollar amount be allocated for

affordable senior housing. That money has been accumulating without

implementation.

I don’t wish to engage in the arguments pro or con about the

alleged man-made wetlands or the threat to a few gnatcatchers.

However, I shall conclude by writing that unmet human needs are most

important.

In addition, I wish to confess publicly that I have not paid my

current Stop Polluting Our Newport dues. I have indeed been a member

for many years. However, I cannot cast my lot with an organization

that has been responsible for electing an ineffective City Council

member and which allows letters and memoranda to be directed to the

California Coastal Commission that will result in the continuing lack

of affordable housing in the city of Newport Beach.

I continue to be for the greatest good for the greatest number.

LUCILLE KUEHN

Corona del Mar