HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-19-2022_Open Session_General Comment_Mendez, Maria_re 340 w 4th St_RedactedFrom:Maria Mendez
To:Public Comments
Subject:City and affordable housing
Date:Wednesday, October 19, 2022 12:07:00 PM
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To :
First Ward: Theodore Sanchez
Second Ward: Sandra Ibarra
Third Ward: Juan Figueroa
Fourth Ward: Fred Shorett
Fifth Ward: Ben Reynoso2
Sixth Ward: Kimberly Calvin
Seventh Ward: Damon L. Alexander
Dear Mayor and San Bernardino City Council,
My name is Maria Cristina Mendez and I am a resident/homeowner in the 7th Ward here in
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.
In the years I have lived in the city, I have seen the demolition of public housing and the
displacement of dozens if not hundreds of families with no consequence and little resources
provided to the families in need.
These unsafe conditions that have developed through the years are the result of the city not
providing affordable housing for the working folk of our city. The jobs available in the region
cannot pay an average family's cost of living. The families who remain do not qualify for
existing safety net resources. In the current situation, these families are facing homelessness
after a two week hotel voucher expires. We already have too many people living in the streets
and the public park spaces, let's not add more. Let's prevent more vandalism by taking care of
people 6.5by providing better safety nets for families in need.
The city must respond to this situation humanely. We need housing solutions (since
yesterday), temporary shelters, permanent housing that is available at an affordable price for
people working in and around 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.
Here are a few 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, temporary and permanent solutions.
There should be someone looking out for the placement of families when a landlord wants to
displace people.
Assist current homeowners to build ADUs that are safe and reliable, instead of allowing the
creation of unsafe overcrowded housing. Overall, these will increase housing. Assist
homeowners in doing these properly a d safe.
Rehabilitate old abandoned malls and other structures into public and affordable housing. It
may help reduce blight.
Ensure that no San Bernardino child is homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. School
districts now have a category for homeless children!! In a developed society this is
unacceptable.
Let’s use this moment to think short and long term for temporary shelter and permanent
affordable housing in our city. We should be kind to our residents, neighbors, families, not
kick them when they're down. I ask that you respond with leadership.
Thank you for your consideration.
Maria Cristina Mendez
San Bernardino resident