YOUR URGENT SUPPORT NEEDED ON IMPORTANT STATE HOUSING BILL

Good Afternoon! We need your immediate help to make sure the Assembly passes SB 329, The Housing Opportunities Act, and sends it to the Governor for signature!

As you are aware, growing numbers of people living in our communities are experiencing homelessness or struggling near the brink. Many of them will only be able to secure housing with the help of housing subsidies and landlords’ willingness to fairly consider and accept those subsidies (e.g., Section 8, Rapid Rehousing or Permanent Supportive Housing).

SB 329 would ensure that landlords give families and individuals with rental subsidies a fair-shake and don’t unfairly dismiss good prospective tenants just because they are low-income.

HOW YOU CAN HELP:

Please immediately email or call the LA County Assembly Members listed at the below weblink and ask them to vote “YES” on SB 329 when they vote on the Assembly Floor.

SAMPLE EMAIL FOR YOU TO SEND OR CUSTOMIZE:

Dear LA County Assembly Member,

I strongly urge you to support SB 329 (Mitchell) - Housing Opportunities Act. I understand it will soon be coming to the Assembly Floor. Your “YES” vote is critical to address our growing regional housing crisis.

SB 329 is necessary because it:

• Prevents landlords from refusing to rent to low-income households because they receive a housing subsidy or voucher (e.g., Section 8, Rapid Rehousing or Permanent Supportive Housing Subsidies);

• Allows California to join 11 other States that already prohibit discrimination against voucher holders;

• Would play a key role in enabling families and individuals to exit and avoid homelessness.

There are some myths being circulated about AB 329 that include:

• Myth: SB 329 forces landlords to accept risky tenants. This is not true. Under SB 329, landlords would still be able to screen tenants for suitability and other important factors such as credit and rental history.

• Myth: SB 329 would create delays for landlords trying to lease-up their units by creating long inspection timelines. This is not true. Data from the Housing Authorities of the City and County of Los Angeles demonstrate very short average timeframes to complete inspections, often only a few days.

Because of California’s severe shortage of affordable housing and rising rental rates, many of the low-income households you represent rely on housing subsidies to stay housed or exit homelessness. SB 329 would help make landlords part of the solution to the affordable housing crisis.