Affordable Housing

* I must applaud Herbert Rosenbloom (“Population and Housing,” Letters to the Valley Edition, July 30) for reminding us of the population problem.

So many assume that growth occurs “somewhere else.” Yet here is a prime example of how overpopulation is directly damaging our quality of life. The economist [Shirley] Svorny says we should bulldoze and redevelop certain housing to use land more efficiently (“Beyond Chase Knolls, a Larger Issue,” July 23). Taking that to extremes, we could cram this city with denser and denser housing until it looked like the tired old neighborhoods of some third-world countries. Even affluent Japan has very dense cities. Do we want to keep packing ‘em in in the name of efficiency? No thanks.

Even previously undeveloped areas such as Newhall Ranch and Ahmanson Ranch are facing similar issues: Where can we house millions and millions more every year? Where will they get water? What freeways will they fill?

Neighbors don’t want to see huge planned developments bury their earth. And the world as a whole passed the 6 billion mark last year.

Rosenbloom has the right idea: Discourage overpopulation and encourage family planning. One idea he suggests is a tax break for small families. Ironically, the present tax code encourages larger families by granting a $2,750 income exemption for each dependent, plus a new $500 tax credit for each child, in most cases. This sends the wrong message, and I will be glad when Congress amends this. They need to put a limit on the number of children they will subsidize, perhaps two, even though it seems politically unpopular.

Those having huge families need to envision what life will be like in another 20 years. Where will their grown children find housing, jobs or just breathing room? You figure it out.

GREG GOLDEN

Van Nuys

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Bravo to the City Council for taking steps to save Chase Knolls Garden Apartments! According to Svorny, those of us who wish to promote attractive, spacious, livable communities with pedestrian paths, lawns, trees and birds are making “extortionist demands” on developers. I thought we were just being good citizens.

PAT DAVIS

Woodland Hills

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Svorny’s article rests on a myth of “trickle-down” economics and ignores the hard reality of the L.A. housing market.

First, renters of affordable housing, particularly seniors, seldom have the luxury to pick up and move, as Svorny suggests. Affordable units are scarce, and finding a new home with access to work, public transportation, friends, doctors and other service providers often isn’t possible for people on low, fixed incomes.

Second, regardless of Svorny’s tortured logic, knocking down affordable apartments and replacing them with luxury units obviously reduces the stock of affordable housing.

Third, the historic designation of Chase Knolls isn’t a ploy or delay tactic; it’s an effort to prevent the destruction of an important part of our city’s heritage. That doesn’t mean the developers can’t win too. Thoughtful renovation or other changes at Chase Knolls could achieve everyone’s goals. It is possible to make a profit and preserve our cultural history at the same time.

MICHAEL FEUER

City Council, District 5