Mark Van Noppen’s article of April 2nd, Getting to “Safe Enough,” was brilliant. He provided a great, common sense analysis of how we got where we are today in terms of housing – and other challenges we are facing. The zeitgeist of our time is one of uncertainty and seismic change. So much is unknown and everything is shifting  faster than we can keep up with. In such times people have a range of reactions, such as anxiety, anger, depression, and other paralyzing emotional states.  But others react by identifying a specific problem and working to find solutions.

Mark goes on to say

It will take a re-orientation of our intelligence and will, and a re-introduction of common sense into decision-making, to look at every aspect of the shelter industry and bring costs back under control. We have created a world that we cannot afford and the lack of affordability is creating a far more hazardous situation for us as individuals, for our economy and for our social coherence as a nation than our buildings present today.

The title of his article says it all.  While safety and environmental issues are important, this situation is not a binary one, but a complex one. There will have to be compromises.  My hope is that the result of Mark’s letter is that others who share his concern form a movement to seek solutions and answers. This is not just about passion and emotions.  This is a call to individuals who can deal with complexity and understand government regulations, zoning, building codes, etc. and are willing to roll up their sleeves and commit to finding answers and solutions.  This will take time and dedication and sometimes resistance from entrenched power structures and the inertia of bureaucracies. But that is the characteristic of all successful and just movements.

Julie Adams Strandberg

College Hill