Silver lining in sub-prime mess

If there were a silver lining in the high foreclosure rate caused by the sub-prime mess, perhaps it might be that these now-vacant homes could be sold as affordable housing. (“Realtors group finds a silver lining,” Feb. 20.)

Just as communities require developers to set aside many new units to be sold as below-market housing, so also should communities require banks that foreclose [on properties] to sell the homes at below-market prices with a special emphasis on providing homes to public servants such as teachers, police and firefighters.

Phil Palmintere

Cupertino, Calif.