Picking up on last month’s column, let’s dig in a little more on the 3Ps. Today, I’m squarely addressing our current and future civic leaders.
- Produce:
- Part A — big picture: Let’s make way more homes. I’m talking tens of thousands in the Bay Area, millions across CA and the US. To do that, let’s keep improving our antiquated zoning (too restrictive) and approval processes (too slow), and let’s build. And let’s invest* together at the front end to make as many of them affordable as possible.
- Part B — for homelessness: We need interim shelter, permanent supportive housing, and deeply affordable housing. That requires investment* and we know it works.
- Preserve: We have a decent amount of affordable housing now. That’s a great existing asset for any community. Let’s invest* in keeping it affordable so the people living in those homes aren’t pushed out.
- Protect/emPower: We have some very basic renter protections in CA, but we can do better statewide and locally. We have a lot of options, from reasonable limits on security deposits and rent increases, to emergency financial assistance (to help out when life happens), to legal support. Tons of policy options to allow folks in this area to have staying power – stability! It’s a lot better and cheaper for all of us to keep someone in their home than to have so many of our neighbors living outdoors.
Wait, what about Prevention? Last month, I mentioned a potential “4th P”: Prevention. While the 3Ps all contribute to preventing homelessness in the long term, the current crisis demands more immediate action. With housing supply so low, prices so high, and so many people on the brink of losing their homes, Prevention deserves its own spotlight. It’s a distinct area of work with targeted policy solutions, like emergency rental assistance and legal support — efforts highlighted in our Protect/emPower section. Check out Destination: Home for more info on work to prevent homelessness in Santa Clara County.
Alright, what now?
Well, if you are a serious politician — either a current elected official or an aspiring one — here’s your homework:
- Learn more about how this works.
- Push policies that make it better, not *worse*.
- Talk about it with other people.
- Repeat.
*Oh, yeah, I said “invest.” That’s right. Invest. $$$. Tackling our dual housing affordabilty and homelessness crisis will require serious investment — from both the public and private sectors — and from every possible funding source. If we truly believe this is a priority, we have to act like it. If we keep saying “housing and homelessness are urgent issues,” then it’s time to put our money where our mouths are. Because the truth is: this isn’t just spending, it’s an investment. One that will pay off for all of us in the long run.