Silicon Valley's legislators are seriously concerned about the lack of housing and low housing affordability in their region. They told REALTORS® whom they met on Legislative Day last month that they need their help in getting the right message out to constituents.
Legislative Day, which took place on April 29, is the one day each year when California REALTORS® travel to Sacramento and meet with their legislators to discuss issues affecting their clients and the real estate industry. About 40 members from the Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS® and neighboring REALTOR® associations met with state Senators Jim Beall (D-San Jose) and Jerry Hill (D-San Mateo), and Assembly members Rich Gordon (D-Menlo Park) and Evan Low (D-Campbell). The REALTORS® asked the legislators to support bills seeking PACE loan disclosures and regulation of companion animals, and to oppose a bill that forces rental property owners to participate in the federal and local government's Section 8 housing program, which is a voluntary program.
The legislators thanked REALTORS® for coming to Sacramento every year to explain how bills can potentially impact their clients and private property rights.
"Your visits here are important to us," said Gordon.
In their discussions with the REALTORS® each legislator expressed concern about Silicon Valley's housing affordability problem. They said local city councils are hitting road blocks getting new housing developments and proposals for higher density housing and in-fill housing passed. They noted Silicon Valley has grown in leaps and bounds with giant companies like Apple and Google expanding, "so change needs to happen."
Beall said he wants to encourage financing of more apartment buildings and more flexibility in zoning laws for secondary units. "The state has to be vigorous about increasing our supply of affordable housing or it is going to kill our economy in our area," said Beall.
Hill said if the housing problem is not fixed, the backlash could be worse. Some cities in the region are already seeing rent control initiatives.
"Let's stop talking about rent control because it does not work. It doesn't make sense," remarked Gordon, who is termed-out this year and will be leaving government service after 24 years.
A strong housing advocate, Gordon indicated studies show for every one high-tech person hired, four service level jobs are created.
"If service workers can't afford to live here and have to fight massive traffic to get here, they will leave. We won't survive as a region if we don't create more housing and make it affordable," said Gordon. "Our community will change, but we can play a role in what it will look like."
Low spoke passionately, saying it is a personal issue for him when government officials like himself, and teachers and firefighters cannot live in the cities where they work.
"We are in a crisis. The social contract we made with California is broken," said Low.
Low said a lot of the backlash to more housing is coming from local residents "whose mentality is very protectionist." He said NMBYs appear in force at city council meetings to block plans for new housing developments and they are quick to initiate a recall of council members who support more housing in a community.
"I am very disturbed at what is happening at the local level. This is not suburbia anymore. We need to recognize that and adapt and make changes," said Low.
Low told REALTORS®, "This is your issue. Your involvement is critical to the issue I care most about. You need to show up at city council meetings and promote what is good policy by supporting us."
The Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS® (SILVAR) is a professional trade organization representing over 4,000 REALTORS® and Affiliate members engaged in the real estate business on the Peninsula and in the South Bay. SILVAR promotes the highest ethical standards of real estate practice, serves as an advocate for homeownership and homeowners, and represents the interests of property owners in Silicon Valley.
The term "REALTOR®" is a registered collective membership mark which identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of REALTORS® and who subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics.
Variations of this article have appeared in local area newspapers.
For further information, please email or call the SILVAR office at (408) 200-0100.