Nonprofit Housing

The letter “Housing Trust Fund” (Jan. 14) from the San Diego Taxpayers’ Assn., completely misses the point.

There is an affordable housing shortage in San Diego because, in the past, the City Council has failed to allocate the resources necessary to address the problem.

Now that the problem has reached crisis proportions, drastic action is required.

The housing trust fund is a permanent, ongoing source of revenue that is dedicated to affordable housing and which will enable the city to meet one-third of the need.

It is a commitment to housing that has been missing in the past and which will be renewed with the establishment of the trust fund.

The housing trust fund is being considered separately precisely because housing has never gotten a fair shake when considered along with other demands for public funds during the annual budgetary process.

HARVEY MANDEL

San Diego