Tenants fight for affordable housing in California

Recently, more than 800 tenants mobilized and went to the California State Capitol to demand a halt to high housing costs.

These protests were held by tenants, union members, and religious leaders demanding solutions to the growing housing crisis.

Using the “Housing Now” slogan, they seek to pressure legislators to pass affordable rental laws that curb skyrocketing rent increases and protect tenants.

Eddie Carmona, organizing director for Pico California, explains that the situation is difficult for many families because they spend more than 35% of their income on housing, so they went to ask the Capitol to support families who cannot pay.

Eddie Carmona, organizing director for Pico California, talks about the proposals they brought to the State Capitol.

Eddie Carmona, organizing director for Pico California, shares stories of families facing housing price increases who not only cannot afford to pay but also find the increases illegal.

He comments that they have mobilized to Sacramento to demand that legislators pass a law that stops unaffordable rent increases, and tenants and organizations from the Central Valley, as well as the Coachella Valley, joined the protest.

But what does it mean for families facing unaffordable rent? We heard from Eddie Carmona, organizing director of Pico California.

Eddie Carmona, organizing director of Pico California, says the problem is worsening because these people can be evicted and end up on the streets.

Eddie Carmona acknowledges that they expect more action from the state government to address this problem.

Finally, Eddie Carmona, organizing director of Pico California, comments that they will continue their activism, asking legislators to support not only property owners but also families.