artdirector@sfreporter.com
Lettters to the Editor
Opinion, April 14: “Here’s an Idea”
Market is King
Drew Ford’s letter to the editor proposes something so eminently reasonable it will be embarrassing for all of us if it’s not pursued in earnest. This is not the first shout for affordable housing on the Midtown Campus, but it is a timely attempt to ratchet the issue back to the middle of the table. As the letter said, affordable housing is not going to happen with the current development schemes. Look at the irreversible monstrosities that are going up or being proposed—giving away well-conceived height restrictions for a mere ten years of “affordable” housing. Because our homes are subject to a marketplace (and in America the Market is King), there really is no solution to fair, affordable housing outside of public subsidy.
This is a perfect opportunity for the city to own more public housing to protect its citizens (and workers) from the unreal inflation of “real” estate. I don’t know if it’s that easy. American laws and practices have for so long favored inflation and rent-seeking, not to mention awful kinds of land development. But what better time to start? Can a society call itself good if it can’t secure the homes of its people?
Jeff Donlan Santa Fe
Food, April 14: “...and it was the best croissant”
Investigating the goods
Committed to fact-checking, I went to see if Cafecito does indeed have the best croissant in Santa Fe and can report it was EXCELLENT. It is listed on the menu as a [medialuna] which is a super trick to keep it secret.
Alice Fordham Via Twitter @alicefordham
Online, April 15: “SWAIA Indian Market In-Person”
Surge prevention
This is a smart plan! Conducting an event of this size during the pandemic is not trivial for the organizers. I’m sure we will see many similar plans for the other events in Santa Fe. This is not an effort to squeeze out the locals as so many complain, it’s to prevent another dreaded surge.
Scott Edwin Wiseman Via Facebook
Editor’s note:
Last week’s news story “Extra Cash for Housing” did not provide clear instructions for how to donate to the Affordable Housing Tax Credit program. To make sure your donation goes directly to an eligible project of your choice, write a check to the developer of the project and list the name of the project in the check memo. For example, to support the restoration of traditional adobe homes around the central plaza at Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo, write out a check to the Ohkay Owingeh Housing Authority with “Owe’neh Bupingeh Preservation Project” in the check memo. Send it in to the Housing Authority, and they will send you a certificate for 50% back in state tax credits. Attach the certificate and a corresponding Affordable Housing Tax Credit Claim Form to your tax return to get the credit. Find the form at tax.newmexico.gov.
