I have lived in Gilroy for 30 years and have watched its population double. During that same time, the number of unhoused residents has nearly quadrupled.
Building new houses alone will not be enough to solve this problem. That is why it is important to have a Displacement Prevention Strategy in the current Housing Element that is meaningful and realistic.
The city’s current Housing Element has a Displacement Prevention Strategy now that identifies possible policies such as Just Cause Evictions, Relocation Assistance and Tenant Opportunity to Purchase. I encourage the city to evaluate these and other best practices to create a strong Displacement Prevention Strategy.
I hope that the city will conduct outreach to residents such as renters, farmworkers, seniors, people with disabilities and low-income multifamily households that are the most likely to be affected. I hope that communication is two-way and meaningful between the residents and city officials.
The Housing Element is commonly thought of only as a plan for housing production for different levels of income in our city. The goal of building new homes and the prevention of someone losing their existing home goes hand in hand.
A healthy housing system will have both strategies working together. It is important that Gilroy residents who are concerned about displacement prevention or housing issues in general communicate with the city council on this issue.
Gilroy’s strength comes through its people. We can protect the long-term residents by preventing displacement before it happens and preserve the uniqueness of Gilroy.
Joanne Fierro
Gilroy Housing Coalition
