Support Affordable Housing in the San Gabriel Valley

San Gabriel Valley Housing Mandate

The reasons for my support of this Housing Mandate are clear:

  • A comprehensive housing plan, with a mix of market rate and affordable, for each community helps to create a stable and thriving community for families, seniors, and individuals regardless of income. 

(According to the federal government, housing is “affordable” if it costs no more than 30% of the monthly household income for rent and utilities. In order to afford the fair market rent for a two-bedroom apartment (an average of $1,354 per month) in California – without paying more than 30% of income on housing – a household must earn $4,514 monthly or $54,168 annually.)

  • Mortgages and rents are skyrocketing due to a lack of affordable housing stock, creating a shortage that makes many one check away from eviction or homelessness. 

(Los Angeles County has the largest shortfall of homes affordable and available to Extremely Low-Income (ELI) households with a shortfall of 376,735 units and 19 affordable and available homes per 100 ELI Renters.)

  • Due to COVID-19’s strain on the economy and residents, the SGV faces a virtual tsunami of evictions and subsequent increase in homelessness.
  • Proven solutions to end and prevent homelessness are grounded in a public/private, local/regional partnerships, that combine local housing spectrum, along with regional supportive services.

Therefore, I pledge my support for:

  • Increased affordable housing, especially for low or very low-income residents, within my city
  • Development of bridge (temporary) housing in my city 
  • Increased housing with appropriate services for those with special requirements (mental health, addiction recovery, recuperative care, transitional age youth, board and care, disabilities),
  • Development of permanent supportive housing with wrap-around services.

In addition,

  • I pledge to work to prevent homelessness in my community by supporting rent stabilization and eviction prevention.
  • I pledge to work to overturn the 500-foot rule that prevents public funding of affordable housing within 500 feet of a freeway even though marketplace housing is allowed.
  • I pledge to support increased density, and mixed-use housing projects throughout my community, especially, but not exclusively, near transit corridors, jobs, markets, and other amenities.