Letters: Readers discuss the pollution problems of the housing crisis and impeachment

Move in closer

Thursday’s front-page story, “In Overland Park, affordable housing faces high hurdles,” addressed many of the issues facing our area and others around the nation. But it didn’t look at the effect of the affordable housing crisis on the production of greenhouse gases.

The lack of affordable homes in big cities results in many people commuting extraordinary distances because they can’t afford to live near their places of employment. In real estate terms, this is known as “drive to qualify” — would-be homeowners can qualify for mortgages only for homes they must drive to.

In a recent study from the Public Policy Institute of California, more than 10% of the workforce in some cities there must travel more than 90 minutes each way for work — and that percentage is increasing. This has caused an increase in CO2 emissions in California’s transportation sector, despite an overall increase in the fuel efficiency of vehicles.

The Metro KC Climate Action Coalition has created a playbook advocating policies to mitigate the effects climate change. Incorporating plans for lower-cost housing would not only benefit area workers, but it would also help reduce our fuel usage and benefit our children and grandchildren by reducing the effects of climate change.

- Richard Randolph, Lenexa

Hoax? We’ll see

Now that the president stands accused by the House, the Senate must conduct a fair trial. That should be indisputable, even for those who claim it is a hoax. If it is, a fair trial should bring that out.

Senators, be very careful what you wish for.

- Shel Roufa, Leawood