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Mr. Walter Wood says (Perspective, May 1) that our quality of life will suffer if 30 units of affordable housing replace an empty paint store in his neighborhood. He accuses of Berkeley of building housing developments that are “too large, too dense, too detrimental and too numerous.” 

When I read that, I was sorry to see the same old prejudices are still in place. Ever since the City of Berkeley approved replacing the run-down old Bel Aire Motel with housing the NOT-IN-MY-BACKYARD argument has resurfaced again and again in one form or another. 

New, affordable housing is needed in Berkeley by students, seniors, workers and the disabled. All of these folks are part of Berkeley. How about a little compassion and neighborliness? 

Helen Lima 

Berkeley