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I am writing in strong support of Workbench’s proposed 57-unit affordable housing development on Capitola Road. While some neighbors have voiced opposition, it’s vital to recognize that this project is a crucial benefit to our entire community, not a detriment.
Santa Cruz County is grappling with a severe housing crisis, which is pushing essential workers, seniors and young families out of the area. This project directly addresses that problem by providing stable, lower-cost homes. Affordable housing helps stabilize our workforce, ensuring we can retain the people who run our schools, staff our hospitals and keep our local businesses thriving. When workers can live where they work, traffic lessens, local spending increases and the community becomes more vibrant and resilient.
Concerns about neighborhood character and density pale in comparison to the moral and economic imperative of providing homes. We must prioritize people over parking and outdated notions of neighborhood exclusivity. Every new unit, especially affordable ones, relieves pressure on the housing market countywide.
I urge the Lookout Santa Cruz readership and local officials to look past the “Not In My Backyard” arguments and embrace this opportunity. Building this housing isn’t just good policy; it’s an act of community solidarity that will strengthen Santa Cruz for years to come.
Ian Cox
Live Oak