To the editor:

This letter concerns the pending affordable housing project “Penny Lane” proposed for farmland on Child Street. I call it a “housing project” because it truly is the building of the Warren Projects. Forty units being built on a site suitable for five residential homes is just too many units for one residential neighborhood. Anytime you put that many people that are struggling financially into a rental situation there is a high probability that there will be a social breakdown.

Crime: Densely compacted affordable housing will increase crime and decrease safety.

Tax burdens: While the new housing will increase the tax base – historically, these projects require additional services for police and medical outweighing any tax increase.

Schools: Building dense, affordable housing will burden the local school system and lower standardized test scores.

Property values: In the immediate neighborhood property values will decrease.

I do have empathy for people who find themselves in this situation but it is not the government’s job to impose housing at the detriment of the surrounding area. The developer stated that it does not make financial sense for 25 units instead of 40 units. Sounds like they are doing this to make money not to help families. “Follow the money” is a very wise mantra. We are being forced to let these people abuse the new Affordable Housing Laws.

While it seems this project is going to move forward much to the dismay of the people of Warren my question is where were our representatives that are supposed to speak on behalf of the citizens of Warren? Why do we have a Comprehensive Plan if it is merely usurped by the State? Who is watching out for us? Warren does not want this development in this form.

Brian Mellor
21 Colonial Dr.