The Press on Sunday addressed a most important issue. The lack of housing for workers teachers, police, nurses etc. and housing our children can’t afford is critical.

Developers are in the business of selling a product. The product must be marketable to buyers. If the cost for example is $300,000 add in a profit, the price is set for those who can afford it.

We hear smaller houses on smaller lots will lower costs. The cost for lumber, 2 x 4’s, trusses, plumbing, workmen is the same only the quantity is reduced. The CDA City Code already has provisions for smaller lots etc. Interest rates, financial investors, vacation rentals all deserve some blame.

Private companies ran the municipal bus service. With the automobile came a decline in ridership then it became unprofitable. People still needed transportation. The public sector, government, helped. Municipalities throughout our country provide public transit services providing what the private sector could not.

Government has helped housing with lower rate mortgages, FHA and VA, assumable mortgages and down payment assistance. Each required people to make their payments and pay back money provided.

We must think of ways that work rather than looking for blame? This area offers a lifestyle I want children to be able to afford as well as many others who work here. Some options that involve our government must help to open the door to housing. Sometimes when a government official says I am here to help, that is actually true. Our government, that’s us, put a man on the moon, we must be capable of placing people in housing.

PHIL WARD, AICP

Coeur d’Alene