December 2023 Newsletter
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The best to all of you as we near the end of 2023! A lot happened this year:
More homes are coming. Multiple affordable housing projects are under construction, including Cedar Street family apartments, Pacific Station South and the supportive housing at Jessie Street, Freedom Blvd, Capitola Rd and Park Haven Plaza and more. This week, two appeals were denied, moving forward nearly 100 homes on Soquel Ave and High St. 👏 👏
We worked and played together, including our Habitat for Humanity build day, summer bbq and other socials, multiple Sip+Mixes with candidates, and a bike tour around Santa Cruz looking at housing element sites.
We used our pro-housing voices for action: signing petitions, giving public comment, sending letters to elected officials, reviewing Housing Elements and of course talking with your neighbors, friends and family about housing.
We’ve spent this year fighting for everyone in our community to have access to safe, affordable housing. Please help spread the pro-housing movement so that we can build a future where housing is abundant. Please donate to YIMBY Action's #HomesForTheHoliday fundraiser to support the movement!
Save the Dates - December Housing Events
Thurs, Dec 7th at 6pm: Scotts Valley Planning Commission will have a special meeting considering the adoption of the Housing Element. In-person at Council Chambers, 1 Civic Center Drive, Scotts Valley or Zoom Videoconference. Agenda info will be posted here.
Tues, Dec 12th (time TBD): Santa Cruz City Council will be considering adoption of the Housing Element. Agenda info will be posted here.
The Coastal Commission is coming to town, lets have a strong YIMBY presence! See the agendas and info about public comment (you need to sign up in advance) here.
Thurs, Dec 14th at 9am: the Coastal Commission is meeting in Santa Cruz at the Dream Inn. On Thursday's agenda is an item on housing in the coastal zone.
Fri, Dec 15th at 9am: the Coastal Commission is meeting in Santa Cruz at the Dream Inn. On Thursday's agenda is the County's Sustainability Update, which the Housing Element depends heavily upon.
Watch our social media for more details on these events.
Election 2024 - Local Endorsements
Read more about why to vote NO on Housing for People:
Here’s what they don’t tell you about the Housing for People ballot initiative - Lookout Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz YIMBY endorsed Santa Cruz City Council candidates: Trigueiro, Brunner, Kalantari-Johnson, Thompson
Our members endorsed these candidates for Santa Cruz City Council:
District 1: Gabriela Trigueiro
District 2: Sonja Brunner
District 3: Shebreh Kalantari-Johnson
District 5: Joe Thompson
Santa Cruz YIMBY endorsed Santa Cruz County supervisor candidates: Koenig, Brown, Martinez
Our members endorsed these candidates for Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors:
District 1: Manu Koenig
District 2: Kristen Brown
District 5: Monica Martinez
Learn more about our endorsements and watch our social media for ways to volunteer.
Housing Elements Update
Adopted and off to HCD:
Capitola - City Council adopted on November 9, 2023
County - Board of Supervisors adopted on November 14, 2023
Related:
Housing plans approved for Live Oak, Aptos, Soquel - Santa Cruz Local
Santa Cruz County’s state-mandated housing plan opens new doors to development | Lookout
Capitola leaders approve housing element update – Santa Cruz Sentinel
Pending local adoption:
City of Santa Cruz - City Council meeting on Dec 12th
Scotts Valley - Planning Commission special meeting on Dec 9th
Awaiting first draft: Watsonville