1 Vernice Hankins
From: Danielle Charney <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, December 13, 2022 3:19 PM
To: councilmtgitems; Clerk Mailbox; Council Mailbox; David White; Douglas Sloan Subject: Item 8 A.. SUPPORT
EXTERNAL
Council et al,
Sorry this is late but I missed it ...
I strongly support this motion ... this could have happened long ago and helped so many people find housing instead of being subjected to stress and settling for substandard units mainly in the Pico area hanging over the freeway.
This item is vital and long overdue.. it must pass ..no further study is needed..no excuses by those
who really don't care about low income people and just want to see them be forced to leave Santa Monica.
The standard voucher payments have not been raised in 6 years..while rents have gone up. Many can't find units because of this and those with vouchers are now paying well over the 30% intended, some closer to 50%, while watching their quality of life be reduced by stress with rent raises every year. LA County and other more conservative Orange County have done this but so far our "liberal" City has yet to act..our rents are higher than both areas. Our newer housing being built is even higher than ever with studios going for well over $2100 and up ..some as much as $3500.
If we make the move to a flexible payment -from a uniform payment it will allow true diversity
and open up all areas of the City .. I have to wonder if that is really what you want?
Item 8.A
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2 While the words "segregation" and "discrimination" are strong, it appears to be the sadly intended consequences of not having raised this standard payment.
As a senior on the housing list, the only units I am offered are in senior buildings with no amenities, no quality of life and close to freeways. I have been offered nothing else, while many I know who are younger are offered units all time all over the City. This achieves passive/aggressive discrimination and segregation while "looking like you care".
So please, let's support real housing choices.. not profiling and not restricting people to where you want them to live. Give them a chance to choose. Raise this standard payment. Long, long overdue. Let's see you put the feds money where your mouths are ..no more delay tactics. Due in January I believe. Show us you really care about diversity. The actions that achieve it ..
Thank you,
Danielle Charney
Resident Since April Fool's of 1982
Item 8.A
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