Friend of CHOA,
4 days until the key Inclusionary Ordinance vote comes before City Council on Tuesday, April 1st. This special email is to focus on this one vote and topic.
We have a chance to express our support for 1,000 affordable housing units to be built in Arcadia. Can you imagine that? Take some time…just an hour…to review the key points, and then craft a letter/email to City council. These affordable housing units will last for 55 years, and probably longer. Many people need this stable and secure housing, in an amazing and safe city like Arcadia.
Yes, this will take effort on our part. This is the time to put our minds to the task…use the strength we have in the few hours we have…and show our heart, in loving our neighbors…even neighbors that will come to our city in the future.
“Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.” –Mark 12: 28-31
Imagine the massive impact we can make together, to advocate for affordable housing in Arcadia. City council needs to hear from us. What an opportunity we have.
Peace,
–Mike Veerman
CHOA Team Lead
The Inclusionary Ordinance is mainly about requiring the percentage of affordable housing units in new mixed-used development. With this method, the goal is to build 1,000+ affordable housing units in the next 4 years, up to Year 2029.
For new developments with 21 or more rental units, the below percentages are proposed to be required. Developers can choose one of the options below.
The City Council vote for passing the proposed Inclusionary Ordinance is scheduled to be on April 1st. Please email Arcadia City Council at this email, CityCouncil@ArcadiaCA.gov. Our City Council listens to our residents and churches in our city.
We need to voice our support for the Inclusionary Ordinance in large numbers. We need to write emails and letters, and come speak in-person as public comment. CHOA believes we need at least 10 to come speak in-person as public comment (3-5 minutes each), and 20 emails/letters. That would give City Council a good indication that there is support for this large change.
The below chart shows the breakdown of family size and income levels of the “Very Low” and “Low” affordability levels. You’ll see, these incomes are pretty high…meaning, lots of people could really benefit from these affodrable housing units.
To recap, below are the key points. Write your letters including some of the points below, as well as your own housing story, and how your faith is connected to these matters.
As a faith community, we recognize the connection of the divine to land, and how the land is used, for people. From the Christian perspective, God is clear that the community needs to speak for those that are vulnerable, the orphan, the widow, and the stranger. There are many, many folks that are struggling with the cost of housing, especially those that rent. Frankly, all generations are vulnerable: the elderly on fixed income, young families making ends meet, and young folks coming out of college and very likely have college debt.
Working people need affordable housing in Arcadia. These are housing units for working people, like teachers, social workers, police men and women, fire men and women, secretaries, and city staff, as well as folks on the lower end of income levels like janitors, gardeners, cooks, waiters, house cleaners, garbage collectors, bus drivers, etc. These are hard working people, with jobs. They will be proud residents of Arcadia.
Affordable housing will be so valuable in Arcadia, as our city is safe, has great schools, and beautiful parks. The number of students living in Arcadia in our public school district is decreasing. We need more families to come to Arcadia.
Bringing in more folks can revitalize Arcadia, especially in a mixed-use development. These residents are built-in customers for the businesses nearby/downstairs. These increased housing units bring in more property tax to the city, and vibrant businesses bring in more sales tax to Arcadia.
We recognize this is the first step for Arcadia to have an Inclusionary Ordinance, so the 9%-14% for Very Low and Low is understandable. We recognize the balancing required to make the percentage of affordable housing low enough for developers to find it financially visible to still build in Arcadia. We also need the percentage high enough to receive our RHNA number of 1,000+ affordable housing by 2029.
Some folks say the market should decide. But for 20 years now, housing costs have drastically outpaced salaries. These affordable housings are just 9% to 14% of the total project. That means, 86% to 91% of the units will be market-rate units. That’s the vast majority already. This is a reasonable first step for affordable housing in Arcadia.
The percentage of affordable housing units must be required by the city. It should not be up to the developer on each individual project.
These percentages do not overstep the inclusionary ordinances of any of our neighboring cities, see the city’s web page/video below.
In Arcadia, affordable housing is not free housing, for the unhoused. Affordable housing is by income (so that means folks have a job), and depending on how many people are in the family, and combined income, your rent is calculated, to be 30% of your gross income. Now that is affordable!!
For a quick review, skim the below web page and the 30 minute video created by the City of Arcadia
If you like to read more, review the past CHOA newsletters in our blog.