The Unaffordable Dream
A MAMMOTH LAKES, Calif. —
Emily Markstein, a 31-year-old rock climber and skier, opens a large sliding door and welcomes a stranger into her home. Not a lavish, multimillion-dollar mansion, but a 2006 GMC van. Markstein, a resident of Mammoth Lakes, California, has seen the rise of a housing crisis in this small mountain town. As the town’s population grows, so does the unaffordable housing market, leaving only a few options for working-class individuals.
The Housing Shortage
The housing shortage in Mammoth Lakes is not just limited to this single town. It is a crisis that affects the entire Eastern Sierra region, an area known for its natural beauty, tall peaks, and open spaces. The region is home to about four people per square mile, with many of them struggling to find affordable housing.
A Shelter in a Storm
Markstein, who has a master’s degree in historic preservation and has worked as a tree trimmer, a ski instructor, and a yoga teacher, has found a solution to her housing needs. She lives in her van, a lifestyle she describes as "carefree and glamorous" on social media. However, her reality is far from that. She has to rotate through her friends’ houses to take a weekly shower and must hide her living arrangements from tourists who visit the area.
The Bureaucratic Roadblock
The housing shortage in the Eastern Sierra is not new. The region has long been known for its fragrant forests, snow-capped peaks, and pristine lakes. However, the lack of available land for development has created a major hurdle for those seeking affordable housing. The U.S. Forest Service, the federal Bureau of Land Management, and the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) own nearly 90% of the land in this region, leaving little room for private developers to build.
The LADWP’s Role
The LADWP, a major landowner in the region, has a reputation for being uncooperative when it comes to allowing development. The agency’s top manager, Adam Perez, argues that the LADWP manages the land responsibly, allowing hiking, hunting, fishing, and camping on most of its territory. However, he acknowledges that the agency does not prioritize development, preferring to protect the views and environments that make the region so popular.
A City Stagnating
Bishop, a town with a population of around 3,800, is another victim of the housing crisis. The town is home to just a few dozen single-family homes, and even those are not available for purchase. The issue is not just limited to housing; tourism has become a significant issue, with many permanent residents struggling to find jobs.
Conclusion
The housing crisis in the Eastern Sierra region is a complex issue, shaped by a combination of factors, including the inaction of government agencies, the rise of tourism, and the limited availability of land for development. As the region continues to grow, it is essential to address this issue and provide affordable housing options for working-class individuals. Until then, many will be forced to live in vans, like Markstein, or struggle to find a place to call their own.
FAQs
Q: What is the cause of the housing crisis in the Eastern Sierra region?
A: The housing crisis is caused by a combination of the limited availability of land for development, the inaction of government agencies, and the rise of tourism.
Q: How does the LADWP contribute to the housing crisis?
A: The LADWP owns a significant portion of the land in the region, which limits the availability of land for development, contributing to the housing crisis.
Q: What are some possible solutions to the housing crisis?
A: Possible solutions include providing affordable housing options, increasing the availability of land for development, and addressing the inaction of government agencies.
Q: How can individuals living in vans, like Markstein, find a way out of the housing crisis?
A: Individuals living in vans, like Markstein, may need to rely on friends and family for support, find alternative housing options, or work to address the root causes of the housing crisis, including government intervention and land availability.
