Letter: San Jose ‘affordable housing’ plan makes housing more pricey

More ‘affordable housing’

may be pricey for others

Re: “How San Jose plans to spend funds raised by its proposed real estate property tax” (Mercurynews.com, Dec. 9):

The transfer tax referenced in the article is similar to many other proposed and implemented transfer and parcel taxes and developer fees which purport to help make housing more affordable.

While they may lower the cost of housing for some, they simultaneously and quite obviously raise the cost of housing for others, either through higher monthly payments or higher closing costs or construction costs.

Related Articles Letters: Support Prop. 22 | No deception | Respect at stake | Defunding fallout | Giving Biden a shot | Disputing results

Letters: Unfair tuition | Walia for Saratoga | Nature’s beauty | Prop. 15 a remedy | Racism on ballot | International aid

Letters: Internet lifeline | PUSD board | Walnut Creek council | Trump had shot

Letters: Saratoga straight shooter | ICE detention centers | Hypocrisy to spare

Letters: County failure | Prop. 15 pain | Climate strategies | Questionable column | Global relief As these affordable housing “solutions” proliferate, housing becomes less and less affordable for buyers who will be paying, directly or indirectly, these taxes and fees. Thus, the cycle spirals downward. Can’t our leaders come up with solutions which help, and don’t worsen, the housing affordability problem?

Bruce Colley

Lafayette

Submit your letter to the editor via this form

Read more Letters to the Editor

Share this: Print

View more on The Mercury News