Hi Everyone,
Thank you all who attended our general meeting on Thursday. Our agenda was a bit shorter due to the Richmond ferry service grand opening event (very exciting for the city!)
Our political committee gave the group a brief update on campaign strategy logistics, and our regulations committee went over the talking points of the new ordinance, followed by a general discussion.
I think the most important topic that came up during discussion is how crucial public perception will be if we want to run a successful campaign for a new ordinance. The negative effects rent control and just cause for eviction have on affordability, housing supply, and diversity might be obvious to experts and those of us with hands on experience, but to the average person, this reality might not be so clear. Our steering committee feels confident that the core terms of our evolving new ordinance will better serve Richmond, but just listing those terms on paper isn't going to be enough to convince the average conscientious voter.
Our immediate goal is to develop the website to provide a clear, educational, and informational experience to the public. We plan to cover the following topics on the site:
-The macroeconomic forces that contribute to housing affordability.
-How regressive regulatory policy, such as measure L, will actually harm the demographic is claims to serve.
-Our goal to create balanced housing policy; regulations that provide tenants with reasonable tenant protections while still allowing the housing markets to function. Incentivizing current housing availability and future housing growth is the only way to combat our housing crisis.
-Why we believe the terms of the new ordinance can effectively achieve our goal.
We'll continue to update the group and hope to have the website revamped in the near future. We welcome anyone who wishes to contribute to the process, whether that be direct input or simple perspective.
Our next meeting will be Valentine's Day , February 14th from 12-2pm at the San Pablo Public Library. Hope to see you then!
-Mike
Association of United Richmond Housing Providers