Letter: Affordable housing issue shows our values

I was delighted to read the recent piece by the Daily Herald Editorial Board titled "More elected officials talking about affordable housing." Thank you for raising awareness about this important issue.

My family lives in Wheaton, but I serve as a pastor of the First Congregational Church of Glen Ellyn. As a preacher, I pay a great deal of attention to the trends that are shaping our collective future, and it's plain to see that housing is quickly becoming unaffordable for even "middle class" families.

Moreover, there is a great need for housing in our community for seniors, folks with special needs and lower income families. While the village technically meets its quota for affordable housing, this isn't sufficient to the need, nor does it guarantee the supportive services that many of our residents need.

As it is, high-functioning young adults with special needs are forced to live with their parents; seniors are forced to leave town because they can't afford the taxes on their homes; and many of the teachers, police officers, nurses, and retail workers that already serve this town are unable to live here.

We have a remarkable opportunity to develop the site of an old abandoned hotel here in Glen Ellyn; what was once a haven for illegal activity could be reborn as a home for seniors and young adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities.

I recognize that there is some demand for this property to be used for retail purposes, in the hopes of reducing local tax burdens. Much has been said about maximizing the value of this property; but what is it that we truly "value?" Do we really value tax income more than human flourishing? Do we really value profits more than people?

Seth Ethan Carey

Wheaton