Read the full story here Web Link posted Friday, August 19, 2011, 10:10 AM
Town Square
A respite for the poor makes way for offices
Original post made on Aug 19, 2011
Read the full story here Web Link posted Friday, August 19, 2011, 10:10 AM
Comments (12)
a resident of Old Mountain View
on Aug 19, 2011 at 11:38 am
It's only a matter of time before a staggering number of families are driven out of Mountain View. I have a full-time AND a part-time job just to keep my family afloat, and we live in a freak'n mobile home (at nearly $2,000 a month!).
You tell me WHY the average rent for a three bedroom house/apt. is nearly $3,000 in Mountain View?! WHY? Greed, plain and simple.
In 1999 a two bedroom duplex on Sylvan was $1,600 a month. Now it's $2,700. We are economically crippled in 2011 compared to the boom of 1999, so what's with the 70% increase in the cost of housing?
Standard rental requirements are that an applicant must make three times the monthly rent, which means household income must be at minimum $108,000 a year to be able to support a $3,000 rent payment.
There is a very large percentage of families (especially single head of household families) living in our city that doesn't make half that. Where are we supposed to go?
Look at the new housing going up all over this area. The Enclave - priced from the $1,600,000 - Really? I sure wish someone would start building housing for those of us who make $30K to $50K. Or aren't we good enough for you Mountain View??
a resident of Shoreline West
on Aug 19, 2011 at 1:28 pm
This is prime silicon valley land. I pay almost 1000/month for a 1 bedroom apt. Unless you are a techie, baller or willing to share a place with 5-6 people you will suffer. If you travel a hour away you can rent a 3br house for 800/month. Commuting doesn't seem that bad anymore to be honest.
a resident of Old Mountain View
on Aug 19, 2011 at 2:30 pm
You wrote: "You tell me WHY the average rent for a three bedroom house/apt. is nearly $3,000 in Mountain View?! WHY?"
Simple: Supply & Demand. Basic Economic Theory 101.
Plenty of people willing to pay the price = sustainable high levels of pricing.
a resident of North Whisman
on Aug 19, 2011 at 3:35 pm
I agree that there is a housing problem for lesser-income people in Mountain View.
But my comment has to do with the size of the child: he is obviously over-fed, perhaps with the wrong kind of food.
a resident of Sylvan Park
on Aug 19, 2011 at 4:13 pm
The kid needs to go on a diet.
a resident of Sylvan Park
on Aug 20, 2011 at 8:18 am
Mountain View is an expensive area. if you do not have the income to support living here you should move further south. Just crossing over to Sunnyvale you will see a decrease in rents and housing prices. If Sunnyvale still too pricey go to San Jose or East Bay. Live within your means.
And to people who feel they need to comment about the child, leave the poor baby out of it, maybe he has health issues, but it is nobody's business. His parents have enough to deal with living in that flea bag of a hotel, I hope things improve for them.
a resident of Monta Loma
on Aug 20, 2011 at 9:30 am
People facing homelessness, and you end up commenting about the kid's weight? *smh*
a resident of Whisman Station
on Aug 20, 2011 at 7:07 pm
i lived there many years ago (or so it seems) there was drug use and more.as for the cost of rent in mountain view? get over yourself mountain view!its not that great![Post removed due to disrespectful comment or offensive language] the streets are dirty and the neighborhoods i grew up in are NOT places i choose to go to now. the entire state of of California is expensive. we have our politicians to blame.this was once a great little city to live in. it has succumbed however, to the suburb it is today.the facade of putting an office building there is just a reason to move the at risk homeless families out of the area. there's acres of empty office buildings allover the city. we need one more? REALLY??? what we really need is housing for all. not just the ones who hold the money.id bet a dozen donuts to mountain view police that when that 4 story building goes up , it waits empty for a business (one that has money to burn) to rent it for a very long time.
a resident of Shoreline West
on Aug 21, 2011 at 8:39 am
Silicon Valley is riding for a hard fall. The tech industry here is completely dependent on slave labor in China. It seems fairly obvious that in the fullness of time, China will also take over the design and development of the products that they make, and then where will you be?
a resident of Old Mountain View
on Aug 21, 2011 at 9:36 am
@Jay - I could be wrong, but I think the builder needs a certain occupancy rate before the loan is approved. There has been a delay in building of this structure, it was supposed to be open for occupancy this year!
a resident of Gemello
on Aug 22, 2011 at 10:11 am
Good lord. The story is about a family about to lose their current home, but people want to comment on the size of the toddler in the picture?!?!
Whoever had such comments, please, please, PLEASE put up a picture of yourself...I'm sure the example of your physical perfection will astound us all.
a resident of Shoreline West
on Aug 22, 2011 at 12:12 pm
This family takes precedence over Hangar One and that ridiculous high-speed rail scam. Who might that child become, given a chance?
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