Let’s Collaborate Together to Resolve Our Housing Crisis

This is the seventh and final piece in a series to highlight real life issues for renters in Pasadena. This series is presented in association with Pasadena Tenants Union.

RENTING IN PASADENA (7)

Pasadena City Hall in the fall (Photo – W.K.).

I love Pasadena and I am a renter. My job is to care for others as a social worker and I am fortunate to make a decent salary doing what I love.

By Nicole Marie

Nicole Marie

As many other middle income residents of Pasadena I’m falling into the economic crunch of not being able to afford to rent in Pasadena. I am fortunate that I have a manager and owner of my building who cares for the property and knows each tenant. We are a family. However, as my landlord has aged a property company took over resulting in inconsistent rent increase. Everyday I come home worried that in my mailbox there will be a rent increase between 10-50% or a notice to vacate my unit for no fault. Due to my housing insecurity I can no longer support the local Pasadena economy. Gone are the days of purchasing books at Vroman’s, going to mom and pop restaurants and my yearly membership at Norton Simon. While I know I was privileged to be able to afford these in the past I do know I and other renters are no longer able to economically support the Pasadena community we love due to rental cost.

I will need to make some life decisions very soon if our rental crisis doesn’t change. Do I follow other middle income families to move out of state and take my trade of caring for others with me? Do I move to a neighboring city with lower rental cost and kick out a family that makes less money than me resulting in increasing our homeless population? Do I commute to work adding to LA county’s pollution and infrastructure dilemma of dilapidated roads?

My hope is as a community we can collaborate together to resolve our housing crisis. Pasadena Tenants, homeowners, landlords, small businesses and City Hall have an opportunity to really change the direction of displacing families, teachers, nurses, caregivers, artist and community members. Otherwise, what is a city if no one is left?

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> You may also want to check:

• RENTING IN PASADENA (6) – Stories About Pasadena’s Affordable Housing Problem: Willie, JWG, and BNH

• RENTING IN PASADENA (5) – James P. Clark

• RENTING IN PASADENA (4) – Patti Tippo

• RENTING IN PASADENA (3) – Robert M. Roberts

• RENTING IN PASADENA (2) – Krystal Lopez Padley

• RENTING IN PASADENA (1) – Chris Annek