Top headlines of the week

1. ‘Build, baby, build!’: Governors take a walk on housing’s supply side.
2. Americans are frustrated by housing prices ahead of the 2024 election
3. Aaron Peskin's Rumored Run for SF Mayor Has Same Strength and Weakness: Housing

4. Kentucky Is About to Pass the Cruelest Criminal-Justice Bill in America

    

As election season approaches, the US must once again choose between an old man of dubious mental fortitude who can barely make it through a speech in one piece, and President Biden. While voters might finally be realizing that Biden’s economy actually isn’t that bad, he’s still trailing Trump, especially on economic issues. Why?

There are several reasons. Perhaps the most important, though, is simple: Rent is too damn high. The current housing crisis has been decades in the making and is finally center stage in political discourse. This year, almost half of the nation’s governors spoke about housing during their annual state of the state speeches. Even Biden has gotten on board, recently acknowledging that “we have to build, build, build.”

It’s unfortunate, then, that Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs decided to veto a landmark (and bipartisan!) bill that would have addressed the affordability crisis, in part by stripping localities of their zoning powers. Hobbs said the bill was “a step too far.” 

According to whom? Well, local officials, of course. The military and “industry” also voiced their concerns, according to the president of the Arizona League of Cities and Towns. He himself objected to how the bill could “take out the local flavor” of communities.

I wonder if Hobbs heard from the more than 14,000 Arizonans experiencing homelessness last year — the most since national tracking started in 2007. What use is “local flavor” if only the fortunate few can experience it? Are cities really only meant to serve existing residents at the expense of future ones, as San Francisco Supervisor Aaron Peskin recently implied?

Democrats like Hobbs and Peskin continue to be disappointing on housing. Their repeated failures aren’t just forcing hundreds of thousands to survive on the streets — they could hand Republicans the White House. In the long term, people being priced out of blue states and forced into red ones hands the GOP additional seats in the House of Representatives.

That’s bad for all sorts of reasons. One is that Republicans are even worse than Democrats on homelessness. In Kentucky, for example, Republicans are pushing through one of the most extreme crime bills in history. Among a litany of terrible policies, the bill would theoretically legalize the killing of unhoused people by property owners.

Housing affordability is one of the last remaining bipartisan issues. YIMBYism attracts people from across the political spectrum. Democrats could turn talk into broadly popular action that would solidify their political power and improve the lives of tens of millions of Americans. Or they could let Republicans outflank them and cede the political sphere — and the nation — to a party filled with and led by wannabe fascists who think it’s acceptable to murder undesirables.

Weekly nonprofit news

Spectrum Community Services

Save Lunch Champions Week

Spectrum has kicked off Save Lunch Champions Week! At our senior meal sites, we were delighted to host several community champions who were able to experience the behind the scenes of our daily lunch service. Follow the link to read more.

Spectrum at the St. Paddy’s parade

Spectrum Community Services and our Meals on Wheels program had an incredible time spreading cheer at the Dublin Lions Club St. Patrick's Day Parade this past weekend Thank you to everyone who came out to support us along the parade route! Your cheers and smiles made our day extra special.

Thanks to Elisa Márquez

Saturday 16 was a special day at our Josephine Lum Lodge senior meals site! Our Executive Director Lara Calvert proudly accepted a check from Supervisor Elisa Márquez to support vital senior service programs in Alameda County's District 2.

Lunch with Trish Herrera

Yesterday, we had the honor of hosting Councilmember Trish Herrera Spencer at our Mastick Senior Center senior meals distribution site as a part of our #SaveLunch campaign. We had a wonderful time showcasing the wonderful work we do and discussing the importance of supporting our seniors. Thank you to Councilmember Spencer for your visit.

Episcopal Community Services of San Francisco

Graduation celebration

Congratulations to our REACH graduates! Our most recent cohorts included 29 graduates ready to enter the workforce after completing a 9-week training program preparing them for meaningful careers in social and human services. We can't wait to see what they accomplish! Follow the link for more information on the REACH program.

ECS in the news

Today, the 2023-24 Alameda Winter Shelter Program came to a close for the season. In partnership with Christ Episcopal Church, Alameda, CA, the winter shelter provided refuge for unhoused residents from cold winter weather while connecting them to supportive services. This shelter marked ECS' initial reach in the East Bay and we are incredibly proud to serve those most vulnerable in Alameda. Thank you ABC7 News for featuring this shelter's impact.

Larkin Street Youth Services

SF Housing Expo is approaching

Mark your calendars, the SF Housing Expo 2024 is coming in May! Join us for 3 days of online workshops May 14-16 and an in-person resource fair on Saturday, May 18. No matter your housing situation, there will be support that matches your needs. Register here.

End your kitchen nightmares

Dive into our rights & healthy cooking workshops (Mar. 25-28 & Apr. 1-4)! Sessions are 1:30-3:30 PM, limited to 10 spots. Attend fully for a $25 gift card. Miss the main venue? We've got more at housing sites—DM for info!

Larkin Street Academy

Last week, Larkin Street Academy sparked new ideas in #professionaldevelopment and client-centered opportunities. Our teams united, exploring ways to enhance community events like art walks, study halls, and job fairs.

Scholarships available

Apply TODAY for these three scholarships: the 2024 Horatio Alger Scholarship, the Lennar Bayview Hunters Point Legacy Foundation Scholarship, and the Foster Love American Industries Scholarship. Time is ticking!