Before coming to Bellevue/West Lake Hills 11years ago from New York City, I worked for a not-for-profit organization as a fair housing counselor. I was a strong advocate for housing that is affordable for both low and middle income individuals. I also witnessed first hand the dilemma and danger of illegal converted apartments in private homes, especially as it related to families with children.

We should understand the difference between a homeowner (usually a senior citizen, with the empty nest) who rents out a room to a foreign student going to Bellevue College and a single family home renting out all the rooms exclusively for non-family members.

The City Council and legal staff should be aware that advocates for this latter type of housing might want to compare the resident makeup with that of group homes. The difference is that group homes are licensed by government agencies with direct control over site and usually have staff on site 24/7, along with local neighbors on an advisory board.

If Bellevue College wants to be a quasi-government agency to own the house and be responsible for the running of the house in all aspects, including periodic inspections, both internal and external – in short be a good neighbor – then that could be a negotiating tool. Otherwise it’s a neighborhood plan with too many failings.

If the students and administration of Bellevue College see a need for student housing, why isn’t the college building dorms on campus? Why don’t the students/Bellevue College find and support subsidized housing in downtown Bellevue in the high rises; bus transportation from that area is very convenient.

The council members and city staff need to give serious thought to the wholesale negative ramifications on the well being of vested neighbors in our viable neighborhoods throughout Bellevue.

Bart Goft, Bellevue