Yesterday, the San José City Council came together to vote YES on keeping San José’s working families in San José.
They voted to Protect Measure E, and ensure that we use long term, holistic solutions to ensure everyone in the city has a place they can call home. This is not just a victory for housing justice in San Jose. It’s a win for working families, and renters — for anyone who has been struggling with rent, or has watched as friends and family get priced out of our neighborhoods.
It’s a huge victory against real estate interests and the push to create a San José that’s just for wealthy residents and corporate investors.
It is proof that proven, fact-based solutions grounded in community needs will always triumph over shortsighted campaigns that divide San José, and pit our most vulnerable residents against each other. Our opposition may try to build a city for wealthy residents and investors but renters, residents, labor, housing advocates, social workers and community leaders are pushing back — we believe in a city that welcomes everyone, regardless of their race, occupation, or the size of their bank account and we’ll fight to keep San José that way. We will reject false solutions that are designed to leave the majority of us behind.
Thanks to Council Members Dev Davis, Peter Ortiz, Omar Torres, Sergio Jimenez, and David Cohen who put forward their ideas and worked together during the meeting to land on solutions that advance our housing justice goals and addresses homelessness at its core. Because of their bold leadership, the City remains committed to creating new affordable housing units, providing rental assistance to low-income families, and preventing homelessness.
When we come together, we have power. We have the power to make our voices heard, and we have the power to make change happen. We have the power to shape the city we call home. However, our work is not done and we cannot do it alone. We must continue working with local partners and allies, and to build power among San José’s working families and renters. We must continue to advocate for policies that make housing more affordable and accessible for all, and for policies that give renters power over exploitative corporate landlords. Are you with us? Sign up here to join a statewide coalition of renters who are fighting to make housing more affordable!
