Recent events in Mesquite on the issue of low-cost housing should be of great concern to the people who live in our city.  Unbelievably, a proposal for this type of housing adjacent to the elementary school DIED before it was even presented before the Mesquite City Council.  The reason was complaints about “the type of people who would be living there.”  

But what about those people who live in Mesquite and need low-cost housing?  Are the complainers who are letting their prejudices call the shots unaware that Mesquite has a very substantial population who need this type of housing in order to have a decent quality of life?  They work at our restaurants and other retail establishments.  They are our hairdressers and our lawn maintenance workers, and, even, our casino employees.  The question has to be asked:  why are our low salary workers being asked to live outside of Mesquite in the only affordable housing they can find when it would be substantially easier for them to live within the borders of the city and more advantageous to those who depend on their services? Living in town means easier access to public transit and a much shorter commute to work. That translates into fewer days off work, which benefits all of us.  

And regarding concerns about any negative impacts of low cost housing, there are plenty of low-cost housing units that bring a good quality of life to their occupants and adjacent neighborhoods. Low-cost housing does not equal “slum.”  

We URGE the builder to resubmit the proposal and URGE the Mesquite City Council to seriously consider approving this plan, with the caveat that the Mesquite Regional Business (MRB) contractor or the Mesquite Chamber of Commerce provide best practices recommendations to ensure this project will be a successful addition to our community.  

The citizens of Mesquite, not just a prejudiced few, should have a say in whether people will be allowed to have a decent place they can call their home. 

Ann Bley 

for Virgin Valley Action Group