How are mountain lion habitat claims affecting the availability of affordable housing in Woodside?
How are mountain lion habitat claims affecting the availability of affordable housing in Woodside?
Woodside, a wealthy suburb in Silicon Valley, has claimed that its designation as a mountain lion habitat is a tactic to counteract new state legislation allowing duplexes on single-family lots, thus stalling affordable housing development in the area. This legal maneuvering illustrates the tension between preserving exclusive community values and addressing the critical need for affordable housing in rapidly gentrifying regions. As the housing crisis deepens, such cases highlight the need for communities to find balance between ecological preservation and inclusive growth.