Nonprofit Housing

Sue Reynolds and Jeff Hale (“Chance to Reverse a Disturbing Trend of the ‘80s,” Jan. 7) correctly ascribe a critical role to nonprofit developers in the search for solutions to the housing crisis.

However, the authors understate the need for public subsidy. Without considerable public assistance, the prospect of nonprofit housing development in San Diego will remain nothing more than a pipe dream.

This assistance was provided through federal housing programs. Now it must be generated locally by programs like the proposed housing trust fund.

Nationally, nonprofits now produce more affordable housing than either the public sector or private developers.

But unlike other large cities, San Diego has not cultivated a strong nonprofit development sector it could fall back on in the 1980s. Consequently, the construction of housing for lower-income families in the city has practically ground to a halt.

Nonprofits offer a realistic alternative which has worked well in other cities across the nation.

If--and only if--the housing trust fund becomes a reality in San Diego, nonprofits can help solve the housing crisis.

KRIS LARSEN

San Diego