Habitat moving on after disappointing decision

Joe Perring

Habitat for Humanity of Orange County would like to thank everyone

who supported our recent proposal to build eight new homes in Costa

Mesa.

We are disappointed that these homes were not approved by the

Costa Mesa City Council during their meeting on Oct. 18. We believe

strongly that this could be a terrific project for this neighborhood,

whether the homes are built by Habitat for Humanity or some other

residential developer.

Although we respect the decision of the City Council, we are

mystified that arguments against this parcel being appropriate for

residential (or for that matter any other) development prevailed over

the opportunity for eight hard-working families, currently living in

substandard housing, to own their own homes in Costa Mesa.

Our volunteers and families build attractive ownership homes --

not overcrowded, poorly maintained rental property. Habitat families

are good neighbors. They work hard to maintain their homes and become

involved in the community. And, although our homes are affordable for

low-income working families, they do not affect the property values

of the neighboring homes. To us, that sounds like a win-win situation

for everyone.

Habitat for Humanity has already built 107 homes in cities

throughout Orange County. Eleven Habitat homes are in Costa Mesa

(four on the Eastside, and seven on the Westside). Each of these

single-family homes, complete with garages, front yards and fences,

was designed to fit into the surrounding neighborhood. Each Habitat

family -- moms, dads and children -- worked very hard, shoulder to

shoulder with volunteers from churches, businesses and even

government organizations, to build their home. They continue to work

hard to pay their mortgage. And because they take homeownership very

seriously, their homes exhibit the pride of ownership that only

owner-occupied homes have.

To those who argue otherwise, I invite you to take a guided tour

of any Habitat home in Costa Mesa, or anywhere else in Orange County.

The evidence speaks for itself.

As the prices of homes in Orange County continue to skyrocket, and

as rents also increase, housing has become less affordable for every

income group. Many voices in government and the private sector have

proclaimed a housing crisis requiring new approaches and bold

decisions in order to create additional supplies of land for housing

at all price levels.

Habitat homes are a part of the solution to a very large problem

and just make sense for all of our communities.

We believe Costa Mesa residents want good neighbors and

well-maintained homes as much as they want to maintain their own

property values.

Habitat for Humanity -- the only organization building affordable

ownership housing in Orange County -- can offer Costa Mesa residents

all of this. We look forward to moving past this disappointment and

onto our next opportunity to build affordable homes in Costa Mesa.

* JOE PERRING is chairman of the board, Habitat for Humanity of

Orange County.