Last year, our Paradise Valley Town Council voted to contribute only $250,000 to homeless services, and no money for the construction of affordable housing . The previous year, the contribution was the same, which equates to $17 per resident ($250,000 /15,000 residents).
At the Casa Franciscana Sunday mass, I'm embarrassed to tell the friars that the town contributes so little to the poor and those in need in this specific manner.
Where are the low-wage service workers at our resorts supposed to live? They must drive far distances to their homes in other cities, which creates more traffic and that beautiful brown haze that coats Phoenix during the summer.
The Town Council missed a chance to build housing for these resort workers by failing to re-zone the Ascension Lutheran Church. Ten apartments could have been built on that site, and those parents would not waste an hour a day commuting to their homes in far-north Phoenix, south Phoenix or the west side of Phoenix. They could have spent that time with their children, helping them with homework and cooking healthy meals at night. Their children could also attend our excellent schools, and increase their chances at attending a great college and building a professional career.
As the richest city or town in Arizona, we can do better. We can afford it, too.
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