General Election - November 8, 2022

As housing advocates, we know that a single policy won’t solve the housing crisis, but the Empty Homes Tax (EHT) has the potential to help our community in critical ways. First, the EHT is likely to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars annually to fund affordable housing. Second, the tax will change incentives for renting or selling a property, increasing local supply.

Low wage workers, people experiencing homelessness, adults with developmental disabilities, and others in Santa Cruz need the option of a deed-restricted affordable home. With few local revenue sources for affordable housing, we need to be assessing which taxes we are willing to levy to fund our housing safety net. Far from being a radical proposal, the Empty Homes Tax seems like a positive step.

Measure O would result in the termination of a much-needed project supported by years of community participation and city staff work. This initiative would halt the construction of 124 units of affordable housing, a modern library, a daycare center, and consolidated parking. While we share the desire for a decrease in parking supply, the project will result in no net increase in parking spaces and may allow for the removal of existing surface lots in the future. Santa Cruz’s need for more affordable housing is urgent and we can’t afford years of delay, as would happen if this initiative is approved.

• Construct affordable rental housing for teachers and essential staff
• Modernize classrooms
• Repair and replace aging roofs, plumbing, heating, ventilation and electrical systems
• Remove asbestos, lead pipes, and lead paint from older school sites
• Install solar panels and fund other energy and water conservation projects

Shebreh Kalantari-Johnson understands that a better future for Santa Cruz includes abundant housing. Her experience in public service has shaped her belief that public health and social equity depend on housing security. She also knows that addressing the housing crisis in Santa Cruz requires building housing at all levels of affordability.

Felipe Hernandez is the pro-housing candidate to represent District 4. He knows that Santa Cruz County is struggling with a housing crisis and is ready to address the affordability and availability of housing.

Santa Cruz mayoral candidate Fred Keeley is a longtime champion for housing. From heading up an affordable housing bond campaign to his work with Housing Santa Cruz County, Fred has the experience and knows what it takes to make real progress for more housing.

Alexander Pedersen is running for one of three open positions on the Capitola City Council. Alexander understands that affordable housing is one of the most pressing issues faced by Capitola. We are particularly excited about Alexander’s vision for Capitola as a welcoming city for young families, teachers, firefighters, grocery workers, and more via housing abundance. With his thoughtful ideas to maximize improvements to public transportation and bike lanes, Alexander has what it takes to lead Capitola towards being a more integrated, walkable community.

Gail Pellerin is new to housing, but is fired up about building an inclusive California with housing for all. Gail has cited tackling our housing shortage as a top legislative priority. She is committed to finding policy solutions to create more housing for the middle class, increase funding for low-income and supportive housing, and improve public transit and active transportation infrastructure to make our cities more climate friendly.

Dawn Addis sees housing affordability as a critical issue for the Central Coast and is ready to bring a pro-housing voice to the state level. She believes progress will come from multiple approaches: more funding for low-income housing, a housing-first approach to the unhoused, renter protections and increased wages and economic development.

Assemblymember Robert Rivas is a true housing champion in the legislature. He has sponsored numerous YIMBY Action priority bills including SB 9 and SB 50 and has advanced other bills related to zoning reform, permit streamlining, and increasing funding for affordable housing. He is deeply committed to safe, affordable housing for all of his constituents from middle class families to farmworkers.