We need real housing for real people, not luxury condos

Sandpoint is about to gain its newest eyesore in the form of "luxury condos" going up at the corner of Fifth and Cedar.

I couldn't help but laugh out loud after looking up the real estate listing, and felt better about myself once I envisioned the type of mutant ego it must take to spend $1.6 million for a small apartment with stunning views of a surplus store, a Domino's pizza joint, a gas station, and the booming noise of truck traffic along Fifth Avenue. Shame on our city leaders for approving and capitalizing on this elitist monstrosity — all three stories of it — stuffed onto a shoebox lot and blocking sight of the artistic murals on the historic Fosters Crossing building. If this is the "affordable housing" they are tirelessly campaigning for then I definitely need a raise. Dollar by dollar, we are losing the heart and soul of our city. Sandpoint doesn't need million-dollar condos with ten-dollar views, it needs real housing for real people.

EVAN BROWN

Sandpoint