HOUSING JUSTICE FORUMS
(LOCAL ADVOCACY)
We advocate for the production and preservation of quality, appropriate affordable housing with priority on the most vulnerable populations of low and no-income residents, and the dispersal of this housing throughout the city.
We have housing justice forums, subcommittees and one-on-one meetings with elected officials. We do research on specific housing policies, decide our positions, then plan and execute our strategy on how to pass these policies. We have had many wins since we began in the mid-90s. We have strengthened Pasadena’s Tenant Protection Ordinance, prevented criminalization of our homeless neighbors, increased production of affordable housing by 527 units by passing an inclusionary housing ordinance—like a biblical tithe with 15% of all new housing set aside as affordable. We have also fostered significant structural changes, such the creation of a City Housing Department.
Housing Justice Forums are generally held on the 4th Tuesday of each month, at 7pm Contact Jill Shook for the reservation link:
jill@makinghousinghappen.com (626) 675-1316
PAST MEETINGS
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Title: "Know Your New Rights and How To Assert Them"
Date: February 21, 2023
Description:
Tenants Union organizers Bee Rooney and Michelle White will discuss Measure H (Rent Control) which is now in effect. Rooney and White helped craft this Measure, so they are well equipped to answer your questions. They will dispel misinformation spread by landlords and give practical advice on how you can effectively assert your new rights. They will also explain how you can apply for the Rent Control Board. February 2023 MHCH Forum on Rent Control
Title: "Emergency Shelter for Our Unhoused Neighbors: Safe Parking and Safe Haven"
Date: January 26, 2023
Description: Living on the street can be hazardous. Over 2,000 LA County residents died on thestreets in 2020-21. Two of our unhoused neighbors were murdered in Pasadena in2022. Others face arrest and citations for minor infractions like sleeping in their carsovernight.
"Emergency Shelter for Our Unhoused Neighbors: Safe Parking and Safe Haven."
Title: “How to produce affordable housing and protect tenants….”
Date: October 25, 2022
Description: “Tenant protections, homebuilding, and housing subsidies are all essential to improving housing affordability and household stability, but they can often be in tension. How do we build more homes without displacing existing communities?” Shane Phillips, author of the Affordable City, outlines a framework for balancing these goals, and discusses the important role that rent stabilization can play in achieving housing justice. See Producing Affordable Housing and Protecting Tenants
Title: “Facts Vs. Myths About Rent Control”
Date: September 27, 2022
Description: A webinar on the facts vs. myths about rent control. Ryan Bell, organizer for the Measure H Rent Control campaign in Pasadena, will explain the facts, dispel myths and answer questions about rent control. He will counter misinformation spread by “organized money” and explain how you can become part of efforts to empower tenants and transform our city. See "Facts vs. Myths About Rent Control
Title: “Funding Affordable Housing, Protecting Unhoused People"
Date: July 26. 2022
See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovh4hhxARKE&t=3
Title: Rezoning Religious Land for Affordable Housing: If Seattle Can Do It, Why Not Pasadena?
Date: June 28
With Nick Welch and Donald King. See
Title: Rent Control and Community Transformation.
Date: May 25, 2022:
Description: Rent Control and Community Transformation, with Ryan Bell and Pastor Mario Morales, was held at the Pasadena Jobs Center and was our first forum in Spanish and English. Co-sponsored by NDALON; See : Radio Jornalera.
Title: Racial Justice and Housing
Date: May 25th, 2021
Description: A discussion of how housing discrimination can be addressed through affirmatively furthering fair housing (AFFH). Under this federal mandate, strengthened by a state law passed in 2018, cities cannot simply wait for people to complain about being treated unfairly, they must proactively plan policies to ensure that everyone is given fair and equal treatment. Come learn how to make sure that our city’s Housing Element complies with AFFH.
Title: ABCs of ADUs
Date: April 27th, 2021
Description: Learn about Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), or “Granny Flats.”Do you want to build an ADUs? You can! Even on multifamily! Join us to learn more. An introduction for homeowners and a springboard for future workshops topics to be determined by a poll or survey (landlord training, how to choose a contractor…. etc.)
Title: Congregational Land
Date: March 23rd, 2021
Description: Learn how churches are having affordable housing built on their underutilized land, and how we can make it easier for them to address the housing crisis and thrive.
Title: City Council Candidate Forum 2020
Date: January 2020
Title: MHCH Ballot Proposition Forum
Date: October 20th, 2020
Description: In addition to providing encouraging news about what’s happening around affordable housing in Pasadena, there will be an interactive discussion of ballot propositions and county measures relating to housing justice. We will also hear from churches about what they are doing around affordable housing and homelessness.
Title: Advocacy 101 - How to Help End Homelessness and Transform the City
Date: September 22nd, 2020
Description: MHCH’s efforts have helped create over a thousand units of affordable housing and over 135 units of permanent supportive housing for those who are unhoused. Learn from experienced advocates how a faith-rooted approach can help end homelessness and transform our city through decent and affordable housing. Come and learn skills needed to engage our elected officials to make housing and homelessness a priority during this time of economic downturn and pandemic.
Title: Affordable Housing and Environmentalism
Date: August 25th, 2020
Description: Learn about the environmental dangers posed by the ill—conceived Spacebank housing development in East Pasadena, and how and why affordable housing is often the most environmentally friendly housing ever built.
Title: Emergency Shelter & Safe Parking for Our Unhoused Neighbors During the Pandemic
Date: July 28th, 2020
Description: Learn what can and should be done to provide emergency shelter for our unhoused neighbors and Safe Parking for those living in vehicles during this Covid 19 pandemic. Congregations have a vital role to play in addressing this crisis and need support to make housing happen.
Description: Learn some key aspects of the history of racism and housing in Pasadena and what can be done to address this problem.
Title: Racism and Housing
Date: June 23th, 2020
Title: Making Affordable Housing Happen Excess Congregational Land
Date: May 26th, 2020
Description: Learn what MHCH is doing to help change the zoning in Pasadena so congregations feeling led to have affordable housing built on their land can do so.
Title: Addressing Homelessness in a Time of Pandemic
Date: April 28th, 2020
Description: A panel discussion on the topic: "Addressing Homelessness is a time of pandemic: Immediate Needs and Longer Term Solutions." Find out what is being done to help our homeless neighbors here in Pasadena and throughout the San Gabriel Valley and how you can be supportive.
Title: Community Land Trust: History and Current Developments
Date: March 24th, 2020
Description: Learn about how Community Land Trusts arose out of the Civil Rights movement and how we are bringing this model to our region. This will be the focus of our monthly GPAHG meeting on Tuesday, march 24, 7 - 9 pm which will take place via Zoom due to Covid 19 outbreak (see below for details)
Title: Spotlight on Accessory Dwelling Units
Date: February 23rd, 2020
Description: Did you know that most homeowners in Pasadena now qualify to build a Granny Flat? new state laws have lifted restrictions on Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) such as minimum lot sizes and onerous impact fees. Come jpin a discussion on what you can do...garage conversion, junior ADUs and more! And learn how we can make these even more affordable to build and for the one renting the unit.
Title: GPAHG Candidate Forum 2020
Date: January 21st, 2020
Description: On Tuesday, January 21, 2020, from 6-8 pm, the Greater Pasadena Affordable Housing Group (GPAHG) hosted a Candidates Forum at Orange Grove Quaker Meeting, 520 E Orange Grove Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91104.
We asked candidates questions about how they will address the city's housing and homelessness crisis, how they stand on issues such as Accessory Dwelling Units, gentrification, use of the Civic Center for affordable/homeless housing, upzoning, etc.
Title: GPAHG Core Values
Date: October 29th, 2019
Description: We discussed GPAHGs core values as an organization and viewed our online orientation. Meeting attendees shares why they decided to attend the GPAHG meetings.
Title: What is Gentrification?
Date: September 24th, 2019
Description:
Gentrification, Displacement and over concentration—as it relates to Pasadena w/ speaker Bill Huang Director of the Pasadena Housing Department
Title: Rent Control, what is it?
Date: August 27th, 2019
Description: Rent Control, What is it? What are the other tenant protections? Speaker(s): Allison Henry & Team
Title: Panel on Inclusionary Housing
Date: July 23rd, 2019
Description:
Panel on Inclusionary Housing
Speaker(s): Andre White, Phil Burns, Zac Rigg, Anthony Manousos, Jill Shook
Title: Theology of Land and Housing
Date: June 25th, 2019
What does the Bible say about land and housing? Are there biblical real estate practices? Are these concepts relevant today? YES!
Presented by Dr. Jill Shook, author of Making Housing Happen, and Bert Newton, author of The Subversive Wisdom of the Gospel of John
Title: Restructuring Ownership and Shifting Power" Returning Land to the Commons through Community Land Trusts
Date: April 23rd, 2019
Description: Restructuring Ownership and Shifting Power" Returning Land to the Commons through Community Land Trusts w/ Guest Speaker Sandra McNeil