US Customs and Border Protection Ajo Housing Development ... - GSA

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From: judy denune
Date: Sun, Dec 5, 2010 at 7:44 AM
Subject: Ajo housing
To: genegibson@gsa.gov
Mr. Gibson:
I did not realize there was a meeting concerning housing in Ajo until the Ajo Copper News of December
1st arrived in our mail. Perhaps it had been mentioned in a previous Copper News but if it was I missed
it. My husband and I would have been there had we known.
We are certainly interested in what is happening in the housing market in Ajo. We own a home here in
which we spend several months in the winter and so are considered "winter residents". We also own 4
"aluminums" as they are referred to in Ajo between Rasmussen and North Street. The 4 "aluminums"
are rental houses we invested in several years ago. We have been fortunate to date with keeping them
rented most of the time. The home we live is a nice Santa Fe style home in the 5 acres area. OUf rentals
are nice 3 bedrooml2 bath homes that are well maintained and managed by a local realtor in Ajo. My
point in saying this is that we have made a substantial investment in Ajo and are concerned about the
impact the GSA housing will have on our investment as well as other home owners in Ajo.
We believe in supporting the community in which we live, whether it is in Ohio where we spend the
summers or here in Ajo where we spend the winters. We buy and do business here in Ajo almost
exclusively trying to support the business owners in this small town that we love. Since buying our
house here we have seen significant improvement in the looks of Ajo. Many people have done
extensive work on their properties. We have a great little grocery store that is the backbone of Ajo.
ISDA has been in the forefront of improving Ajo with the credit for renovating the Curley School to the
beautiful landmark it is today. Many little establishments are trying to eke out a living in this small
unincorporated community.
We understand that some private rentals have already been impacted by the GSA housing that seems to
be undercutting the private rental business here.
While low rent for customs employees may be enjoyed by those employees, what is to become of the
investments made by private individuals who have been providing rentals to these folks?
I know your response in the Copper News is that there will be many more new border employees
coming to this area therefore still a need for private rental. Will our government continue to provide
even more subsidized housing in the future?
12/14/2010