This week, there are two opportunities to preserve a housing resource in a city where such things are becoming more scarce with each passing day. On Wed., Sept. 19, at 2 p.m., the Parks Committee of the City Council will hear testimony on Discovery Park’s Capehart housing. Seattle is purchasing 66 units of family housing from the military in order to convert the 24 acres on which it sits to green space.

While we agree that this land should become part of the park, we believe that the decision to tear this housing down is premature, and that the City Council should explore options for extending the useful life of these buildings as affordable housing. If there’s another five or 10 years in them, then that’s 66 more families that can afford to live in the city. And in the end, nature wins.

We need to send a strong message to the Council that no further loss of affordable housing is acceptable in our community. Not in Magnolia. Not at the Lock Vista development in Ballard. Not anywhere.

The Capehart housing issue will then go to the full council for approval on Mon., Sept. 24. This is another opportunity to raise the issue of declining affordability in our city.

We join the Editorial Board of the Seattle P-I in calling upon the Seattle City Council to slow down, reconsider, and make the most of our housing resources. We hope to see you at City Hall.

Read daily posts by Tim Harris at http://www.apesmaslament.blogspot.com