To the editor:

A letter writer in this past week’s issue of the Times criticized the claim that affordable housing and environmental interests are not a trade-off.

I believe he missed the point, likely due to unfamiliarity with issues surrounding housing and transportation. It is certainly true that budget decisions require trade-offs, as do regulatory decisions, and I know everyone on City Council is aware of that.

But by placing more housing – especially committed affordable housing – close to transit, jobs, activity centers and in walkable places, we can reduce the number and length of motor vehicle trips, which will support Alexandria’s and the region’s environmental goals, especially reducing emissions of greenhouse gases. It is good to have council members who understand that housing policy is transportation policy, transportation policy is housing policy and that both are climate policy.

-Ken Notis, Alexandria