HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-19-2022_Open Session_General Comment_Haro, Nancy_re 340 w 4th St_any links sanitizedFrom:Nancy Haro
To:Public Comments
Subject:Public Comment
Date:Wednesday, October 19, 2022 1:56:22 PM
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October 19th, 2022
To :
First Ward: Theodore Sanchez
Second Ward: Sandra Ibarra
Third Ward: Juan Figueroa
Fourth Ward: Fred Shorett
Fifth Ward: Ben Reynoso
Sixth Ward: Kimberly Calvin
Seventh Ward: Damon L. Alexander
Dear Mayor and San Bernardino City Council,
My name is Nancy Haro and I am submitting this public comment on behalf of SEIU Local 2015
and the over 4,000 long term care workers that we represent in the City of San Bernardino. I
am submitting public comments via e-mail regarding the situation at 340 West 4th Street.
Working families in our city are in need of houses that they can afford. Please do not displace
families from 340 W. 4th Street until they have a place to go here in the City of San
Bernardino.
These unsafe conditions that have developed are the result of the city not providing space for
affordable places for the people who work at surrounding businesses. The families who
remain do not qualify for existing safety net resources. They are facing homelessness after a
two week hotel voucher expires.
The city must respond to this situation humanely. We need rapid housing solutions, temporary
shelters, permanent housing that is available at an affordable price for people working in the
community. We need these systems in place to stop the displacement of San Bernardino
residents and so we are prepared when this happens again.
There are some solutions:
Make the Landlord pay for hotel stays for 10 weeks for all of the families that remain until
permanent housing is found, built, or temporary shelter is identified. Number 9 of Judge
Sachs’ court order requires the landlord to pay “relocation benefits to displaced tenants.” So
far no one has received any payment for relocation. The community needs more time to
respond and as unsafe as the place is, it is safer than homelessness. Since the families have
already paid rent, please give them until the end of the month at least. For families that have
already left and received the vouchers but still need help, please extend their vouchers 6-10
weeks to give the community more time to identify units, permanent solutions, and
temporary solutions.
· The City can use ARPA funds to relocate families, provide temporary shelter, and build
shelters.
· You can use the city’s TV station to invite Landlords in the city to learn how they can
help offer affordable options and rent empty rooms, ADUs, etc.
· Create an affordable housing innovation committee to develop short term action plans
to deal with this issue from all sides
· Ensure that no San Bernardino child is homeless or can become so - there are enough
services in our community.
Let’s use this moment to think long term for temporary shelter and permanently affordable
housing in San Bernardino.
Respectfully,
Nancy Haro
SEIU Local 2015