Create a diversity of available housing in Marin

I am writing in response to Susan Kirsch’s recent Marin Voice published in the IJ (“Housing rules allow corporate raiders to attack communities,” Jan. 8).

Kirsch, the founder of the nonprofit Liveable California, was right when she wrote “empowered communities provide housing.” Marin has failed this standard for generations. Now, we have one of the highest median home prices in the nation — almost $1.2 million. The average home purchase requires an income of $200,000 a year. This is the top 3% of earners in the country.

As a relatively recent Marin resident, I have been struck by the combination of stated progressive ideals of Marin residents (Black Lives Matter signs everywhere, support for affirmative action) combined with a refusal to build any housing, much less multi-family housing. The hypocrisy astounds me.

We are one of the most segregated counties in the state. We claim to support diversity and people of color, yet fight vehemently against letting any non-rich people be our neighbors. Support of diversity requires the support of a diversity of housing options.

I would love a world in which local control meant we have an abundance of housing available for all income levels. Marin has proven itself incapable of using local control responsibly. Marinites who believe in BLM and diversity need to support the state legislators working to create more equitable housing options in California.

— Jenny Silva, Sausalito