In the Aug. 8 Times/News, Daniel Lee of Normandy Park asks two questions about Lora Lake, as follows: one, what do low-income people say; and two, would people "championing" the apartments live there?"

To respond to question one, I am a low-income person. It is my fortune, for which I am and will always be totally grateful, to live in a home of my own which is completely paid for. I also benefit from the disability property tax exemption. So, my monthly income of $572 is not eaten up by house payments and property taxes, which means I can buy food and pay my utility bills.

However, if my circumstances were different, I'd be homeless and in that case I'd jump at the chance to live in a secure place of my own with four walls, a roof, a door that locks, and wonder of wonder and miracle of miracles, my very own kitchen and bathroom.

I have a friend who lives in an apartment in SeaTac in a complex, which is being converted to condos. He is just one of many being priced out of affordable housing because of development. This is happening all over the greater Seattle area. And I just betcha that if Lora Lake were still a place where people could live, most of the people being forced out of their homes due to condo conversions would gladly live there.

My friend (and others in the same situation) was given right of first refusal by the development company to purchase his apartment after renovations, but it would have been too expensive, so now he's looking for a place to live somewhere else.

I have other friends who have lived at Lora Lake, and when I visited them I was impressed. The buildings were clean and well-kept, the grounds were well-maintained, and the apartments had fireplaces. So, I can't think of any reasons why "good people championing the apartments" wouldn't live there. I know I would.

Sara Amber

Boulevard Park