Progress Seen on Low-Cost Housing

The editorial “Needed: Partnership on Low-Cost Homes; Government and Business Can Still Do Their Part” (Oct. 13) did a disservice to local government and building industry officials who have worked so long and hard to provide affordable housing in Orange County.

Many people may be surprised to learn how much progress has been made in creating subsidized housing for many low- and moderate-income families in Orange County.

For example, in the last 10 years, the Irvine Co. has built more than 3,000 affordable housing units--2,000 in the city of Irvine alone.

These rental units are largely invisible because they purposely are designed to blend in with (and virtually be indistinguishable from) non-subsidized housing units, thus enabling families to live in Irvine who might not otherwise be able to afford the city’s high quality of life.

This substantial supply of affordable housing was made possible through a partnership of private developers and the public sector, and the use of city, county, state and federal bond financing.

The record is impressive to all who have examined our success and might change the perspective of your editorial writer who suggested that the building industry and local government have done little or nothing in this area.

C. KEITH GREER, Vice President, The Irvine Co.