CC MIN 2014-10-30 Special Town Hall

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___, ___ already has done and she said that people don't need that much space. She said that people need small places/spaces which are affordable. She finds that even micro housing is better than living in the streets. She thanked everyone for this opportunity. Edgar Flores was appreciative for the opportunity to be here and he said that the Council has heard many concerns and complaints but in his case he comes to offer his heartfelt and endless gratitude for the classes offered through the International Institute. These classes will help people like him prepare for the citizenship exam. He said that the teachers are extremely helpful and it is a joy that they are so patient and he said that he speaks because yesterday he had his interview and thanks to the help he has received here, the interview was very easy. For that reason he requests that the Council continue to provide these services because these are helpful and he was speaking on behalf of the other students who attend these classes as well. Maria Reyes addressed the Council saying she is here but not alone — she brought along a group of neighbors who are in the same situation as she is. The reason why they are here is to ask for help for those whose rent increases are high and the places are not habitable. She said that we don't live only with our families but with the roaches and mice. Hence she is asking for some kind of control of rent because when the tenants ask to have these situations addressed the rent gets raised. She knows that the City Council can address this and she believes in the Council. Milton Mooney spoke about rent increases and how he is on a fixed income, is a veteran, and it is hard because his rent has increased three times. He said he is disabled, is a veteran and his pension does not go up $420 like his rent did. He finds this an unreasonable situation. He inquired about what options are there for those who do not live in East Palo Alto where there is rent stabilization. Tenaya H, with the Youth Advisory Board, spoke about the uneven pavement and curves and she gets scared at times and so she asked for more ramps and smoother pavement. She spoke about the various earthquakes and how the pavement gets patched and is uneven. Laura Fanucchi spoke about her work with HIP Housing and she thanked Catalina for sharing her story. She spoke about the fact that the renters' market is getting exorbitant, with rents being raised often and large amounts. She also added that Section 8 Housing is extremely difficult to get and no one wants to accept the housing vouchers. She said that HIP housing is now seeing these clients come to her and request rooms to use these vouchers. She spoke about seniors having to deal with homelessness and how it is a very difficult situation. She is hopeful that there can be some solutions because there are many seniors in this situation who are feeling this housing crisis. She asked for rent stabilization. Miriam Torres shared information about the work she is doing with Teen Force and she is excited to be serving the South of San Mateo County. They have been around since 2010 in Santa Clara County and they are a non-profit youth job sharing company. The goal is to place youth in positions that will provide them with experience. She said they SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL TOWN HALL October 30, 2014 MEETING MINUTES PAGE 4 MINUTE BOOK NO. 65 Page No. 265