To the editor:

This last week the city council voted to eliminate a significant portion of affordable housing units on Bainbridge Island. A decision that will ultimately evict many members from our community. Changing the percentage of liveaboards allowed in private marinas is a shameless assault on our community and an attack of our affordable housing stock.

Having worked a significant part of my career in Community Development, Affordable Housing, Elderly Housing, and Housing for the disadvantaged, I understand the need and the benefits of being inclusive of everyone in the community. The richness of diversity is what community is about. I also understand the challenge and economic reality of sustaining programs that provide affordable housing.

Unlike the projects that I have designed (which received funding through the Federal Government, Catholic Services, the city of Denver, Greeley, and the city of Boulder) our affordable housing in the marinas does not use any public funds, nor are they depleting necessary resources from the Housing Resource Board, One Call for All or other charitable institutions. With the legislation taken by the city council, this self-sustaining affordable housing in our community is being reduced by 60 percent. Ultimately it will mean evicting many active members from our community. Many are people that have been born here, raised their families here, and watched their children graduate from our schools. Many are new, enriching the Island with their experiences on the sea. These are people that have been active in the community and an asset to the culture of the Island.

Shame on you for passing this legislation!

Shame on you for attacking this community!

Shame on you for assaulting our affordable housing!

Shame on you for undermining our culture!

Shame on you!

I encourage that this narrow sighted action by our city council be repealed, immediately!

ANDY ROVELSTAD

Rovelstad Architects