I read the story on permanent supportive housing in The Chronicle April 27. To say the least, I am astounded by the lack of cooperation Reliable Enterprises is getting from our city mayor and council. One of the biggest problems we have here is a lack of affordable housing. Anyone ever notice the homeless camps around here? Reliable Enterprises has done a wonderful job of housing and providing work for the less fortunate here in Centralia, yet city officials are refusing to give a variance for parking? They are sticking to their guns saying two parking spaces — one garage and one guest parking per family unit. They don’t seem to care about the 29 families who need a roof over their heads.
Most of these families are lucky to have one car, let alone two, so where is the parking problem? I think the problem of lack of safe, supported housing is a much bigger problem than the “lack of parking.” As an appraiser, I have visited many homes in Centralia that have garages, and a large number of them are used to store things other than cars.
It will be a shame if Reliable has to send the $8 million back to the state and the 29 families who will be eligible for this great project are left out in the cold with no housing.
Shame on the mayor and city council.
Nadyne Tauscher
Centralia
