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Letter: Habitat for Humanity should consider neighborhood group's plan

I am writing this letter to respond to Jennifer Doettling's recent commentary about the proposed Habitat for Humanity housing project in the Menlo Park community of Belle Haven. While I and my colleagues in the Belle Haven Neighborhood Association (BHNA) highly respect and admire Habitat for Humanity, Ms. Doettling's comments overlook the problematic location of the project and underestimate the depth of community opposition to the proposal.

The proposed development could not be more poorly located for the very-low-income owners it is designed to uplift: it is geographically isolated from the existing community, served by only a single transit option, and is far removed from retail and employment centers.

Equally, if not more important, the proposed Habitat development would prevent future expansion of the Beechwood School — one of the community's most valuable educational assets. For Belle Haven to thrive, it is imperative that high-quality educational options like the Beechwood School continue to grow and serve children throughout the community. Solid opposition to the proposed development was recorded at the Nov. 13 Habitat information meeting and at the Dec. 9 City Council meeting.

Like Habitat, BHNA is committed to increasing affordable housing opportunities across Menlo Park. In fact, our members have proposed rehabilitating foreclosed and substandard housing in the existing community as a positive and productive alternative to new construction on Terminal Avenue. Habitat for Humanity could play a vital role in such a venture, which has the possibility of serving far more families than the current proposal with the added benefit of enhancing the entire community. We look forward to continued dialogue with Habitat for Humanity to find the best solution for the Menlo Park residents in the Belle Haven neighborhood.

Ash Vasudeva

Neighborhood Association

Posted by Anna, a resident of the Menlo Park: University Heights neighborhood, on Dec 23, 2008 at 4:01 pm

The neighborhood association's proposal sounds like a terrific idea. If Habitat for Humanity could help with rehabilitation of existing, unoccupied homes, the families who live there would be integrated into the community rather than living in isolation in a less-than-desirable part of the neighborhood. Does anyone know if Habitat for Humanity has responded to the proposal?

Posted by who pays, a resident of the Menlo Park: Sharon Heights neighborhood, on Dec 25, 2008 at 7:52 pm

Doesn't the neighborhood proposal depend upon getting permission from the property owners? Are they willing to give away the properties? If not, who will buy them? Isn't the main problem with providing low income homes, including through a group like Habitat, the fact that property owners want to make a profit.

The city owns the land for the current Habitat project, I think, but hardly anywhere else. So all the nice intentions aside, until there is a willing property seller and enough buyer money this all sounds good in theory but won't work in reality.