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UID:Indybay-18803177
SEQUENCE:18941565
CREATED:20170925T060800Z
DESCRIPTION:Dear Community Members,\n\nI know it has been a long time since my last 
 email. I have been focused on taking care of the family while Akiko (my 
 partner) goes to school more than full time to become a teacher. \n\nI have 
 also been having a visceral experience with housing. I am building a 'tiny 
 house' with permits behind my home. By supervising the project and doing 
 most of the work myself I am getting a hands on experience of what it is 
 like to build permitted housing in Santa Cruz. We just poured the slab (I 
 hired someone to help float it), and should be starting on the walls next 
 week.\n\nIn the meantime, THIS TUESDAY, September 26th, the City Council 
 will take on two important proposals to address the housing crisis here in 
 the City. The first is to close a loophole in their inclusionary housing 
 ordinance. The City theoretically requires all developments of 6 units or 
 more to include 15% affordable housing on site. Affordable housing allows 
 working people to live in Santa Cruz because it sets rent at less than the 
 average income and requires proof of that income to be eligible for the 
 housing. However, developers are commonly let off without actually 
 providing anywhere near 15% affordable housing. One gaping loophole in the 
 ordinance states that condominium and townhouse developments can rent their 
 units at full market rate without providing affordable housing and need 
 only provide the housing when they are sold. This is exactly what many of 
 the largest developers intend to do, including a very large proposal that 
 would rebuild most of the buildings on Front and Pacific south of the Metro 
 Station. Unless the Council closes the loophole and shows a firm resolve, 
 downtown will be recreated with large buildings that have no affordable 
 housing. This item will be heard between 4PM and 6PM, so come at 4PM to 
 City Hall at 809 Center Street. And/or weigh in by email to 
 citycouncil@cityofsantacruz.com\n\nThen, at 7PM, the City Council will 
 consider eliminating additional vacation rentals as a way to preserve 
 rental housing and protect neighborhoods. Vacation rentals in the City of 
 Santa Cruz have increased from 71 to 572 in three years due to the ease 
 with which they can be advertised via Airbnb. This represents a net loss of 
 rental housing in the City, which gained 263 new residential units in the 
 last 3 years. In San Francisco, 30% of rental housing is consumed by short 
 term vacation rentals. Vacation rentals in Santa Cruz are likely to 
 significantly, and negatively, effect our local housing market if left 
 unchecked. Vacation rentals also create instability in neighborhoods. 
 Instead of neighbors looking out for each other and developing resilient 
 communities, vacation rentals fill residential houses with people staying 
 for a night or two that have no commitment to our neighborhoods. Come to 
 the City Council Meeting or weigh in by email to 
 citycouncil@cityofsantacruz.com\n\nHousing is the way that capitalism 
 oppresses people here in Santa Cruz. Please get involved.\n\n\nMicah 
 Posner\n https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2017/09/24/18803177.php
SUMMARY:Housing on the Agenda at Santa Cruz City Council
LOCATION:Santa Cruz City Hall\n809 Center Street\nSanta Cruz, CA 95060
URL:https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2017/09/24/18803177.php
DTSTART:20170926T230000Z
DTEND:20170927T040000Z
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