For this week’s “Orange Feathers,” Weekly contributor Scott Feinblatt took on Huntington Beach’s increasingly antagonistic view toward affordable housing. He provided the following artist’s statement. Take it away, Scott!
Over the past year or so, the city of Huntington Beach has reacted with increasing hostility to the state mandate that it provide a minimal amount of affordable housing for low-income families. Specifically, the city council members have gone from being non-compliant with state law to sending an ultimatum to the state (via a letter from city attorney Michael Gates) requesting that it drop the requirements or face further action from the city. The city argues that that the mandate is based on erroneous population growth projections. The position from low-income families in search of a home is that the beach town community doesn’t want to mix with any more commoners than they have to.
Good man, Scott!
Got an idea for an editorial cartoon? Email garellano at oc weekly dot com. Happy drawing!
