March 2021 Newsletter

Written By Janine Roeth

At our February meeting, we discussed two local housing projects that we are excited about: 831 Water Street and 1482 Freedom Blvd.  We welcomed more new members and talked about ways to get involved in saying “yes to housing” this year.  Anyone with even just a slice of time can help us with this important work. Contact us if that can be you.

 

Next Meeting  - March 11 at 5:30PM

Join us for our next meeting on Thursday, March 11 at 5:30PM. Register for the Zoom meeting via the button below. You will receive a confirmation email with the link after registering. If you can't attend, feel free to email your ideas by responding to this email.

Register for the March Meeting

Local Events *This Week*:

  • Feb 25, 4-5pm- (Zoom) Kickoff Event for Housing Santa Cruz County, which is a (new!) housing advocacy organization dedicated to an affordable Santa Cruz County. California State Controller Betty Yee will be a speaker at this free event, offering thoughts on the housing crisis from the state perspective. Register here.

  • Feb 23 - Watsonville City Council
    The 1482 Freedom Blvd affordable housing project is up for Final Planning Approval. Provide your supportive input to citycouncil@cityofwatsonville.org. Find agenda & info on meeting here.

  • Feb 23 - Santa Cruz City Council
    From Lookout Santa Cruz: “Santa Cruz leaders are considering new, sweeping restrictions on where unsheltered people are allowed to live.” Provide input to citycouncil@cityofsantacruz.com. Find agenda & info on meeting here.

Amazing art from James Deng in Vancouver!

Congrats to YIMBYs bringing their pro-housing voices to the California Democratic Party!

121 candidates endorsed by YIMBY Action were elected as “ADEMs”.  These delegates represent their Assembly District in the California Democratic Party and choose the party leadership, set the policy platform, and endorse in state and federal elections. Congratulations to Santa Cruz YIMBY lead elected as a delegate: Rafa Sonnenfeld!

 

Rail? Trail?  Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) Votes 9-3 in Favor of Rail

This contentious topic took a step forward in early February when the Santa Cruz County RTC voted 9-3 to move forward with the staff recommendation for light rail/commuter rail on the county's rail corridor.  The commissioners said the vote does not necessarily mean light rail/commuter will be built. But it certainly preserves the option.

Lookout Santa Cruz (Feb 4, 2021) | Rail on coastal corridor takes next step by 9-3 vote, but cost questions take center stage, too

 

County Board of Supervisors Approve Plan that Explicitly Supports Housing Development

Also in early February, the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors approved the final version of the Long-Range Facility Plan.  Recommendations include “Support Housing Development''. This includes exploring housing development across county-owned assets, such as Governments Center, and the Freedom Boulevard and Emeline campuses.

Agenda item at February 2 Board of Supervisors meeting: Memorandum of the Deputy CAO/Director of Public Works.

Santa Cruz Sentinel (Feb 2) | Santa Cruz County facilities plan to improve resident services, employee working conditions

Housing Bills Introduced for 2021 CA Legislative Session

There were many housing related bills introduced for the 2021 Legislative cycle. CA Senator Scott Wiener (SF) authored and recently highlighted four, with a goal of ending the state’s housing shortage and affordability crisis:

  • Senate Bill 477 - Housing Data Act - this bill is intended to step up measures to improve the impact and efficacy of state housing laws already passed. It will establish a state database to track the impact of housing laws on local housing production.

  • Senate Bill 478 - Housing Opportunity Act - ensure that multi-family homes that comply with existing zoning can be built.

  • Senate Bill 10 - this planning and zoning bill builds on SB 35 passed last year, by streamlining planning approvals for up to 10 homes on a lot

  • Senate Bill 234 - Transition Aged Youth Housing Program- allocates $100 million to build housing for our most at-risk youth, specifically, youth exiting homelessness, the foster care system, or the criminal justice system.

  • Press release: Senator Wiener Introduces 2021 Housing Legislation to Address California’s Housing Crisis

Here are just a few more of the many other housing bills introduced:

  • Senate Constitutional Amendment 2 (Allen, Wiener) legalizes building public housing without additional process.

  • Senate Bill 5 (Atkins, Caballero, McGuire, Roth, Rubio, Skinner, Wiener), establishes a housing bond to fund more affordable housing.

  • Assembly Bill 345 (Quick-Silva) lessens the deed restrictions on ADUs

  • Assembly Bill 387 (Lee, Wicks) is an “intent bill”, where future amendments of this bill would enact The Social Housing Act of 2021. Social Housing is how we provide housing as a human right.
    (See this article too)

Track CA Legislation at YIMBY ACTION

Black History Month - Focus on Housing

Before Black History Month ends, take time to learn more about the history of exclusionary policies, the notorious practices of redlining and other housing discrimination with these resources:

Now is the time to make sure you have watched all the “Making Urbanism Antiracist” conversations from YIMBY Action. Finally, here are some items that focus on California and racism in history and potential positive changes looking forward:

Mapping Inequality

These sorts of color coded maps gave "redlining" its name. The YIMBY movement is campaigning to help the National Archives and the academic team behind the Mapping Inequality Project complete digitizing of all records retained from this ignominious period in history. Please donate to support this project if you are able. The EPA Office of Environmental Justice  is hosting a free event featuring this project.

What we are reading

What we are streaming

Stay in touch!

We welcome your feedback, questions or comments!  Feel free to be in touch with a reply to this newsletter or follow us on social media: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Learn more about being a YIMBY through this webinar - more info at bit.ly/39Jzi9Q

Yes to People, Yes to Housing.

We are a chapter of YIMBY Action, a network of pro-housing activists fighting for more inclusive housing policies and a future of abundant housing. Visit us at santacruzyimby.org to learn more.

 

Join us through membership here. Sign up for our mailing list here.

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Janine Roeth
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