“How can we keep living here?” This poignant question reverberates among residents, highlighting the pressing concern that our region and its leaders have yet to adequately address. The struggle is palpable as cost of living continues to rise, forcing many to question their future in the community they love.
Two weeks ago, at a community meeting inside the welcoming atmosphere of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Logan Heights, I witnessed firsthand the urgency of this issue. The neighborhood’s City Councilmember, Vivian Moreno, was present to listen to the myriad concerns expressed by the attendees. Surprisingly, the focal points of discussion weren’t the expected topics like homelessness or bike lanes; rather, the overwhelming theme was the soaring cost of living that threatens their stability.
“Prices keep going up and we don’t see how we will continue to live here,” a woman voiced in Spanish, encapsulating the fear and uncertainty of many residents. The quiet murmurs of agreement from the women seated behind me underscored the struggle; they lamented the skyrocketing rents that force them to navigate the unfriendly waters of a rental market dominated by property owners.
Moreno took the opportunity to elaborate on what the City Council is doing to mitigate evictions and protect renters. However, she also explained her opposition to rent control measures, citing the prolonged waiting lists for housing vouchers, which drew a collective groan from the crowd when she revealed that some Section 8 voucher applicants can expect to wait as long as 15 years. Nevertheless, attendees showed enthusiasm when she proposed that the next speaker be a representative from the San Diego Housing Commission, signaling their desire for potential solutions.
As I absorbed the atmosphere in that room, I was struck by the mix of anxiety and hope radiating from the attendees. The gathering was primarily made up of families, interspersed with young single men and older women, all conversing in Spanish. Amidst the camaraderie, organizers thoughtfully provided coffee and pan dulce, a gesture that added comfort to the tense environment. A little girl poured herself a cup of coffee and playfully nabbed some sweet bread before returning to her seat, embodying the normalcy these families desperately wish to retain. Meanwhile, Moreno spoke candidly about the limited control the city holds regarding the escalating housing prices and the increasingly unaffordable rent for families.
I couldn’t shake off the lingering sentiment behind the initial woman’s question. In the puzzle of rising costs, how will these families keep living in San Diego? I doubt they received a satisfactory answer from that community meeting.
Have you considered moving away? If so, I invite you to share your story at [email protected].
Fewer Kids Are Missing a Lot of School
Chronic absenteeism is a significant concern for our education reporter Jakob McWhinney, as it refers to students missing at least 10 percent of school days. This issue not only hampers student learning but also adds strain on teachers who must spend additional time helping those who fall behind, ultimately impacting school district resources.
Fortunately, McWhinney’s diligent reporting sheds light on the strides schools have made in combating this issue. New data reveals a promising trend: while chronic absenteeism rates in the county remain higher than pre-pandemic levels, there has been a decrease in the number of students missing substantial amounts of school.
Things Got Hot in National City
Jim Hinch, our South County reporter, has been delivering remarkable insights lately. For those looking to stay updated, subscribing to his newsletter comes highly recommended.
In his latest piece, Hinch details a significant turn of events in National City, where the City Council recently voted to censure newly re-elected Councilmember Jose Rodriguez due to alleged violations of the city’s code of conduct.
One councilmember noted an exchange between him and Rodriguez that sparked considerable tension, describing it as “sparks fly” on social media. Hinch will continue to monitor the implications of this censure and what it might mean for Rodriguez moving forward.
Further developments unfolded as the City Council also voted to re-appoint GilAnthony Ungab as the city’s representative on the Port of San Diego’s seven-member Board of Commissioners. While some advocated for the council to open up the position, Hinch highlights the discontent among councilmembers who feel the port is not prioritizing the interests of the city and its residents. You can read the full story here.
How is the City Council planning to support families struggling with housing affordability in San Diego?
**Interview with Councilmember Vivian Moreno on San Diego’s Cost of Living Crisis**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us, Councilmember Moreno. The question “How can we keep living here?” echoes deeply among San Diego residents, particularly during the recent community meeting in Logan Heights. Can you share your thoughts on this urgent concern?
**Vivian Moreno:** Thank you for having me. The rising cost of living in San Diego is indeed a significant issue that many families face. It’s heartbreaking to hear the fear and uncertainty in the voices of our residents. Many have expressed their struggles with soaring rents and the feeling that they are being pushed out of the community they love.
**Interviewer:** At the meeting, many attendees highlighted the growing challenges in the rental market. Can you elaborate on what the City Council is doing to address these concerns?
**Vivian Moreno:** We are actively working on several fronts to support renters. We’ve implemented policies to mitigate evictions and increase tenant protections. However, I understand that these measures may feel insufficient in the face of rapidly increasing rents.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned your opposition to rent control measures at the meeting, which drew a lot of reactions. Why is that?
**Vivian Moreno:** My opposition stems from concerns about how rent control can create further issues in our housing market, like limiting the availability of rental units. In addition, the waiting lists for housing vouchers can be prohibitively long—some people are facing up to a 15-year wait for Section 8 vouchers. We need more immediate solutions that balance the needs of both renters and property owners.
**Interviewer:** A strong desire for solutions was palpable during the meeting, particularly for engaging with representatives from the San Diego Housing Commission. How can these discussions create real change?
**Vivian Moreno:** Bringing in representatives from the Housing Commission allows us to share resources and explore options for affordable housing development. It’s clear that residents are looking for concrete actions, and collaborative discussions can help identify pathways to enhance the housing landscape in our city.
**Interviewer:** As families navigate these economic challenges, what do you believe is the next step for community members who feel uncertain about their future in San Diego?
**Vivian Moreno:** I encourage residents to stay engaged in community discussions and advocate for their needs. The more voices we have united in this conversation, the stronger our push will be for policy changes. I believe that by working together, we can forge solutions that protect our communities from displacement.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Councilmember Moreno, for your insights. It’s clear that while the road ahead may be challenging, the commitment to open dialog and community engagement is vital.
**Vivian Moreno:** Thank you for shedding light on this important issue. Together, we can make San Diego a place where everyone can thrive.
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This interview encapsulates the concerns raised in the community meeting and highlights the need for ongoing dialog about the challenges of living in an expensive city like San Diego, where the average cost of living is approximately $3,346, placing it among the top 0.5% most expensive cities globally [[1](https://livingcost.org/cost/united-states/ca/san-diego)].
