Housing

My son and daughter-in-law have been living in a single-level, older apartment unit, and have just been informed that they have to move out within a month because it had been sold and was going to be demolished. A modern, high-rise apartment and condo complex will take its place and will rent for $900 a month.

My son and daughter-in-law are a young couple just starting out, and their chances of ever owning their own home is remote because of today’s prices. Now, they are losing the roof over their heads, and cannot find affordable housing. They both work, but even with their two incomes combined they cannot afford rents of $750 to $900 a month.

My mother is in the same situation. When she moved into her apartment 13 years ago, it cost $185. She is a senior citizen and lives on a fixed income. It is now costing her $600 a month for the same apartment. She is on a waiting list for an apartment in a unit built by a group of churches, but the waiting period is at least four years!

Unless our government officials wake up to the fact that there is a critical and urgent need for affordable housing for senior citizens and lower- to middle-income families, our homeless people will continue to increase.

LAVINA B. DURAN

Torrance