Overcrowding Law

I have lived in Santa Ana for 11 years. During that time, I have watched with despair as the quality of life in my city has declined to near intolerance. You would have to be as blind as a bureaucrat not to see the correlation between overcrowding and the deterioration of our city.

It seems that Timothy L. Coyle of the California Department of Housing and Community Development fits the bill. (He) went on a whirlwind tour of the city’s blighted neighborhoods, and then stated that what we need is more low-cost housing and better property management.

More low-cost housing raises the specter of high-density housing in a city with limited open space. High-density housing can only lead to more crime and an even larger burden on the already overtaxed schools and city services. This is the natural consequence of packing too many people into one area.

As for poor property management, many of the rental properties in Santa Ana are nothing more than money mills. They are bought and sold like commodities. The managers are under pressure to rent every square inch of space in order to turn a buck for the absentee landlords.

Santa Ana needs overcrowding ordinances that are strict yet fair and compassionate if we are to save this city from crisis.

CRAIG STEPHENS, Santa Ana