I’ve never thought the idea that people should have the basic right to safe housing and shelter was on par with being radical or idealistic.

But that was the charge last week by an Assembly member pushing legislation that would limit growth in his district, home to the wealthiest county in the state. As the  San Francisco Chronicle Editorial Board pointed out, the bill is emblematic of how policymakers have contributed to the housing crisis.

In attempting to defend his bill to the L.A. Times, Assembly member Marc Levine of San Rafael said it’s the housing advocates who don’t understand how affordable housing can be accomplished in his district.   “There are ideologues in housing,” he said. “What I’m most interested in is pragmatic approaches that result in more housing for the people that need it.” 

We are guilty as charged with the “radical” notion that having a safe, affordable home is the foundation for achieving stable families, communities, businesses and local economies. While some policymakers are pushing bills to restrict production of affordable homes in the midst of a crushing housing and homelessness crisis, CHC and its members continue to push for a housing package that  includes critical permanent funding, as well as regulatory reform.  

As I recently told a Sacramento Bee reporter , it’s shameful legislators have talked so much about the housing crisis but have yet to act and or even make intervention a real priority. It’s time they hear our “radical” voices loud and clear. Call your legislators, send them an email ,  contact them on Twitter or Facebook  to let them know that they must take immediate action BEFORE the summer recess to fix our affordable housing and homelessness crises by voting YES on the affordable housing package before them that includes permanent funding, secured through Assembly Bill 71 and Senate Bill 2.

Californians on the brink of homelessness don’t have the luxury to put off rental payments by weeks or take a summer recess. We should not allow the Legislature to wait to wait another day to secure reliable permanent funding for affordable housing production.

Sincerely,

Ray Pearl
CHC Executive Director