Can't afford a house in Moorpark

I read the responses regarding affordable housing in Moorpark and felt compelled to write. I am 26 years old and have lived in Moorpark my entire life. I have both a bachelor's and a master's degree in business, yet I do not make enough money to buy a house or even a condo in Moorpark.

I am not alone. I am sure that most of my graduating class, after almost 10 years, doesn't have the income level to be able to afford a place to live here, or anywhere nearby for that matter. The affordable housing program would allow me to own a small piece of the Moorpark lifestyle you are all so inclined to protect.

Both Mr. Goodwin and Ms. Jasmin voice concerns over what low-income housing would mean for our community. They should first understand that Moorpark's policy is that those who already live in the city be given first preference. Therefore, there should be no increase in crime and no deterioration of the neighborhoods, because most of the people who will be placed are already residents of this city.

As for crime, while the crime rate has risen in the last 20 years with the influx of residents, this is still one of the safest cities around. I doubt the addition of 100 or so lowerincome residents will increase the crime rate dramatically.

I also feel it important to mention that bringing lowerincome people to Moorpark would be a benefit for all of us. Perhaps opening up affordable housing would allow those people with more diverse backgrounds to move to Moorpark. These people might expose you and your children to greater diversity, beyond our masterplanned upper middle-class community.

Your children might have a better understanding of those who are less fortunate, those whose parents cannot afford real UGGS or an $800,000 house. It might also expose your children to the lifestyle they will have after graduating college in debt and looking at a $30,000 a year job. And realize that after five years at that job your child still will not have earned enough money to afford the down payment on the home you live in now. Shannon Hanley Moorpark