As the coronavirus pandemic unfolds, slamming middle- and working-class Californians who struggle to pay already sky-high rents, corporate landlords Thomas Coates and Jackie Safier (pictured above) have shelled out major campaign contributions to a committee …
Californians Stand Up to Big Real Estate and Back Rent Control
California’s grassroots movement that aims to expand rent control through a statewide ballot measure has reached a major milestone: the initiative, known as the Rental Affordability Act (RAA), has received more than 1,200 individual campaign …
California Housing Activists See the Street-Level Damage of Coronavirus
Last year, I visited housing activists throughout California, asking them about the street-level impacts of gentrification and unfair, sky-high rents in their cities. We also talked about the powerful influence of the real estate industry …
Coronavirus Forces Politicians to Address Housing Affordability and Homelessness Crises
For years, activists and experts have been saying, repeatedly, that housing is not only a human right, but also a serious public health issue. That people need stable, affordable housing to maintain good health — …
Unfair Rents Are Slamming Fresno, Too
If there’s any doubt that middle- and working-class residents all over California need stronger renter protections, one should visit Fresno, and look up Grecia Elenes, the earnest, yet amiable senior policy advocate at the Leadership …
Corporate Landlords Behind Campaigns to Stop Rent Control in California
Corporate landlords are financing two campaigns to stop the Rental Affordability Act, the November 2020 ballot measure that expands rent control in California. Concerned that rent control will impact the outsized profits they’ve gained by …
California Housing Justice and Tenant Groups Oppose Scott Wiener’s SB 50
A statewide coalition of California housing justice and tenant rights groups have sent a letter to State Sen. Scott Wiener and the California Legislature, opposing Wiener’s land-use deregulation bill, SB 50. Those organizations include the Housing Rights …
Corporate Landlords Spend Big Cash to Stop California’s Rent Control Movement
It’s only January, and Big Real Estate is already shelling out major cash to stop California’s rent control movement. According to state filings, corporate landlords such as Essex Property Trust and UDR have so far …
Inside Game: California YIMBY, Scott Wiener, and Big Tech’s Troubling Housing Push
In this special report, Housing Is A Human Right advocacy journalist Patrick Range McDonald reveals the financial ties and behind-the-scenes connections between Big Tech, California YIMBY, and State Sen. Scott Wiener. Largely unknown until now, …
Housing Is A Human Right Opposes Scott Wiener’s SB 50
With this week’s re-introduction of California State Sen. Scott Wiener’s SB 50, Housing Is A Human Right continues to oppose the trickle-down housing bill that fuels gentrification. “SB 50 still doesn’t address our key concerns,” …