February 2023 Newsletter
February is Black History Month
It's Black History Month, a time to celebrate the many contributions of Black Americans to our history and culture. For YIMBYs, it's a time to celebrate Black Americans who have fought for affordable, inclusive and equitable housing opportunities for all of us. This month, YIMBY Action will be highlighting some of the activists who have fought for racial justice in housing so be sure to follow YIMBY Action (Twitter, Instagram) to learn more!
February 4th is National Transit Equity Day, recognized on Rosa Parks' birthday for her pivotal role in combating racial segregation on public buses, trains and trolleys. Make a plan to enjoy the Transit Equity Day Family Fair on Sat February 4th at the Watsonville Central Plaza from 10am - 3pm. Take the bus free (see more info here)!
Next Santa Cruz YIMBY Monthly Meeting
February 21st at 5:30 via Zoom
Join us at our next (virtual) Monthly Meeting with guest Sarah Neuse from the City of Santa Cruz Planning Dept.
Upcoming Housing Events
Mon, Feb 6 @ 6pm: Presentation of the Draft Coral Street Visioning Report
In Person: London Nelson Community Center, 301 Center St, Santa Cruz, Room 3 . Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89366135779
Wed, Feb 8 @ 7pm: 900 High Street, Peace Village Housing Virtual Community Meeting. Peace United Church and Envision Housing are collaborating to develop a multi-family building with 40 homes in the upper half of the Peace United Church property. The 40 homes include including 4 Low-Income homes and 5 Very Low-Income homes
Thurs, Feb 9 @ 6:30pm: 908 Ocean Street Hybrid Community Meeting. There is a NEW pre-application for a large project on Ocean St - a combination of 20 parcels and the construction of a mixed-use development with 351 homes and over 7000 sq feet of commercial space.
Mon, Feb 13 @ 5:30pm: Virtual Meeting with the City of Santa Cruz to learn about damages to West Cliff Dr., the Adaptation and Management Plan, and the recovery efforts. Zoom Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86349403553
Thurs, Feb 16 @ 7:00pm: City of Santa Cruz Planning Commission Meeting - 915, 917, 919, 923 Water St Project. This project on Water Street will combine three lots and result in a four-story, mixed-use building with 105 SRO's within the Eastside Business Improvement Area . The project includes 14 Very Low Income Units (VLI).
Focus on Housing Elements
➡️ 🏘 Complete the Capitola Housing Questionnaire! 🏘 ⬅️
Upcoming Housing Element Events
(TONIGHT) Thurs, Feb 2nd @ 7pm: Capitola Planning Commission agenda includes Introduction to Housing Element
Thurs, Feb 9th: Capitola City Council agenda is expected to include Housing Element (check back for agenda here.)
In the last week, we have seen more activity on the Housing Elements:
On 1/31/23, the Board of Supervisors had an Housing Element Update
On 1/26/23 Scotts Valley held their first community workshop.
On 1/24/23, the Santa Cruz City Council approved a Housing Element subcommittee of Mayor Keeley, Councilmembers Kalantari-Johnson and Newsome.
Become a Housing Element Watchdog! We meet every Monday at noon for a check in on the Housing Elements in Santa Cruz County. Get more information about this and other events by adding our Google calendar to your own.
Take Action
2023 Point in Time Count - Volunteers Needed
Volunteers are needed to help resolve homelessness in Santa Cruz County! The 2023 Point-in-Time Census Count is happening Thursday, February 23 from 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
Volunteers are essential to successfully collect accurate and timely data on homelessness countywide, which is vital for funding and the development of policies that will help end homelessness in our community. Volunteers will work in teams and are asked to lead a visual count of people who are experiencing homelessness in the County. All teams are led by a trained guide.
PIT Count volunteers are asked to attend a training session:
In-Person Training
Thursday, February 9, 10:30 a.m. -- 12:00 p.m.
Location: Santa Cruz Sherrif's Community Room, 5200 Soquel Avenue
Zoom/Online Training
Wednesday, February 15, 11:00 a.m. -- 12:00 p.m.
Zoom link Meeting ID: 812 0660 5809 Passcode: 744961
🚍 Help the METRO Rapid Corridors Project 🚍
Give input on how METRO could improve transit between Santa Cruz and Watsonville! http://www.scmtd.com/en/agency-info/planning/rapid-corridors (direct link to survey)
🚲 Bike Share is Returning to Santa Cruz 🚲
Where Should the Bike Share Stations Be Located?
Bike share is coming back to Santa Cruz! The City of Santa Cruz is requesting feedback from the community on locations of bike share stations. Share your thoughts here! To learn more about the program, visit www.cityofsantacruz.com/bikeshare
What We Are Reading
The federal actions announced last week will work to empower tenants, provide much-needed tools, and reduce unjust evictions. FACT SHEET: Biden-Harris Administration Announces New Actions to Protect Renters and Promote Rental Affordability | The White House
Jerusalem Demsas: Supply skepticism and shortage denialism are pushing against the actual solution to the housing crisis: building enough homes.Housing Breaks People’s Brains | The Atlantic
Stories from ABAG’s Housing Element Journey:
Problems with inclusionary rate in SF : Affordable-housing quotas imperil new S.F. building projects, study says