
SUCCESSES
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Participated in crafting Pasadena’s Inclusionary Housing Ordinance in 2001 which as of July 2020 has produced 577 affordable units and put over $26 million into the city’s affordable housing trust fund. In 2019 we were able to increase the set aside of affordable units from 15% to 20% and ended all trade-downs.
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Successfully advocated for 250 units of affordable and permanent supportive housing since 2018: 100 affordable units for seniors, and 150 units for those experiencing homelessness
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Worked closely with our partners to see a 54% decrease in Homelessness since 2011 when the count was over 1,000.
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Successfully advocated having a Pasadena Housing Department.
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Helped make ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Units) easier to build throughout the city with years of advocacy and research on the local and state level.
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Helped to improve and strengthen Pasadena’s “Housing Element”— a required document for all California cities to demonstrate a plan for providing sufficient housing in a city for all income levels.
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Strengthened Pasadena’s Tenant Protection Ordinance, which prior to our advocacy was more of an ordinance to protect landlords.
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Successfully advocated for nine Habitat Homes under the Colorado Street Bridge, which was formerly an army base.
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One-Day Institutes: To date, we have done eight One-Day Institutes with anywhere from 20-120 passionate folks participating: two in Broomfield, CO; two in Denver, CO; for the Colorado Habitat staff, one in Pasadena, CA; one in Temple City, CA; and one in Monrovia, CA
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Our first One-Year Housing Justice Institute began on Jan 2, 2019.
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The North Fair Oaks Empowerment Initiative (stretched between Howard and Woodbury) surveyed 150 of its residents, church members, and businesses to address the dreams and concerns for this disenfranchised corner of Pasadena. We mobilized the community to close down the street for the NW Jobfest, which brought 500 out to celebrate the community, apply to jobs, provide additional resources, and imagine a new future together. Our focus groups partnered with the Pasadena Complete Streets Coalition and were able to identify15 items to slow traffic and beautify the street. Local leaders were trained on how to approach the city to ask for what they want. Seven of the 15 items are in the process of being accomplished, including a $268 traffic signal!