Community housing developments needed

The California Legislature is doing everything it can to make it possible to build 2.5 million new housing units by 2030, but it appears to forget that we live in a capitalist country. Housing is a business. It is governed by the principles of supply and demand. The idea that more affordable housing can be provided by just eliminating processes of planning, health and safety is absurd.

Like all commodities, the type of housing produced is generally formed by the demand of consumers. The most affordable housing — single-room occupancy and congregate housing units — are not being built for two major reasons. First, people buying housing want big units that are complete with kitchens and bathrooms. Second, investors want the most return on their investment and SROs do not produce much profit to build or rent.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the median size of housing being built today is between 2,000 and 2,500 square feet. The average is 1,150. At 500 square-feet per unit, we could accommodate four times the units. According to the Legislature’s own Housing Affordability Tracker the “typical” housing cost in California is $5,500 per month. According to tax data, the average California income after taxes is $4,802 per month.

Nothing will change unless the state enters the housing market by promoting and financing community housing development corporations that can build the kind of housing needed and produce affordable units. There is an essential need for people to be able to enter an affordable tier of housing where they can save for purchase in the future — that means cheap, safe and convenient housing. SROs and congregate housing can do just that.

— Niccolo Caldararo, Fairfax

Oil, auto industry spends many billions on marketing

In Bill Brennan’s letter published March 23 with the headline “Oil and gas end users should be held responsible,” he writes that oil companies are merely “satisfying consumer demand.” Drug dealers would love such a pass.

Oil and auto companies have been cultivating their market for decades. Ever since we were kids, we have been exposed to billions of dollars of advertising to convince us to drive cars — and not just any cars, but “big and powerful” cars. Advertising works. Just look at the silly “land yachts” out there, and the perversion of “performance.”

The only sustainable vehicle (and most efficient) on the planet is a bicycle, in totality. Conservation is key, but cars make dollars, even if bikes make sense.

— Joe Breeze, Fairfax

Columbia student’s actions not terroristic

I am writing in response to the letter by Jeff Saperstein published March 26 with the headline “Terrorism must be part of student discussion.” From my perspective, Saperstein presented a biased view of terrorism and appears to falsely claim he knows what most Americans think.

The definition of terrorism is the calculated use or threat of violence to achieve goals or create a climate of fear. By that definition, the Hamas and Hezbollah groups, as well as the West Bank settlers, are terrorists. There are many news articles, news videos and documentaries detailing instances of armed settler violence against Palestinians in the West Bank.

Saperstein wrote about Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University student facing deportation by the Trump administration. Khalil appears to be an advocate of Palestinians and a two-state solution. So is most of the world, including some Israelis. Considering that, his actions do not fit the definition of terrorism.

— Carolyn Shadan, Tiburon

Trump’s push on conflict in Ukraine is worrying

I am writing in support of the letter published March 8 by Andrew Thompson with the headline “Zelenskyy meeting needs to spur the Republicans.”

Whatever President Donald Trump’s motivation may be, it is clear to me that he is acting in the interest of Russian President Vladimir Putin, not in the interests of the U.S., and certainly not in Ukraine’s. Worse than that, I am concerned that Trump’s actions will result in the death of more Ukrainians.

Whether or not there is enough Republican support in the Senate for a conviction or even enough in the House to implement impeachment proceedings, we must at least try to stop what appears to be treason. The current situation is a vivid reminder of the axiom: All it takes for evil to triumph is for good men to remain silent.

— Bruce Byers, San Rafael