HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-19-2022_Open Session_General Comment_Steele, Melanie_re 340 w 4th St_RedactedFrom:Melanie Steele
To:Public Comments
Subject:Public Comment
Date:Wednesday, October 19, 2022 2:55:39 PM
Attachments:Outlook-kptxrdox.png
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Dear Mayor and San Bernardino City Council,
My name is Melanie Steele and I am from Inland SoCal Housing Collective. 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 the Chevron,
Kohls, Amazon and other 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. I am one of many housing
service providers and advocates who are working on IE regional resources to
build affordable housing. As we continually prioritize work, don't lose out on
this opportunity to join the effort and movement to create and preserve
affordable housing with industry experts who are dedicating time and
resources to help those families on W. 4th St.
Respectfully,
Melanie Steele
Inland SoCal Housing Collective Manager
Creating solutions to improve housing outcomes for renters, homebuyers, homeowners, and those experiencing
homelessness through education, advocacy and access to resources in the Inland SoCal region.
Inland SoCal Housing Collective is supported and fiscally incubated under NPHS, Inc. We are grateful for their
commitment to housing and entrepreneurial spirit!