Housing element

Thanked the council for passing the housing element and said the community is mobilizing to help attract affordable housing developers; also invited anyone curious about CCAEJ's litigation finances to review them on the organization's website.

She described $2,500 rents plus $2,000 deposits and utility costs requiring over $5,000 monthly income, and asked the council to approve the housing element.

Speaking for the Center for Community Action and Environmental Justice, she urged approval, citing families struggling with $3,200 two-bedroom rents and substandard housing conditions.

The CCAEJ executive director and Rialto resident urged a yes vote, pushed for a pending inclusionary housing ordinance, and noted residents never approved of active shopping centers being listed.

A fire-displaced resident described how hard it was to find an affordable two-bedroom apartment and asked about the status of a GoFundMe created for fire victims that has paid out nothing.

A first-time council speaker, small business owner, and farmer voiced support for accessible housing for all families in Rialto.

Another CCAEJ representative spoke about families unable to afford homes on low salaries and urged support for the housing element.

A CCAEJ representative urged approval, framing housing as progress and calling for a sustainable, affordable housing market in Rialto.

A grocery operator representative who spoke two weeks ago now supports the revised maps, saying the changes let grocery-anchored centers serve the community.

The owner of America's Best Value motel at 425 West Foothill Boulevard pleaded for his property's removal, saying inclusion in the housing element would devastate the family business's value after 26 years.

His family owns the North Rialto Shopping Center and opposes the involuntary rezone, warning it could make commercial uses non-conforming and kill the Stater Bros.-anchored center.

The CCAEJ executive director urged approval of the housing element, shared her own experience with homelessness, and asked for a timeline on an inclusionary housing ordinance.

Owner of America's Best Value motel and a small shopping center at 425 W. Foothill Blvd since 1999, he said it would be very hard to give away his property.

Submitted a letter included in the commission's packet; did not elaborate verbally beyond confirming his letter was received.

Rialto resident supporting the housing element draft, urging the city to zone for housing and green space rather than more warehouses.

Rialto resident representing the Center for Community Action and Environmental Justice; supported adoption of the recirculated draft, thanked staff for the EJ policy, and urged more intentional community engagement plus attention to SB 9, SB 10 and the inclusionary housing ordinance.