HomeMy WebLinkAbout5/2/2023 Item PC, Madrid
Edwin Madrid <
To:E-mail Council Website
Subject:May 02, 2023 Public Comment
Attachments:May.02_2023_Public Comment.docx
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Hello,
I have attached a public comment that is pertaining to the city council meeting that is happening later today at 5:30PM.
Best,
Eddie
1
Tuesday May 02, 2023
City Council Public Meeting
Public Comment:
Hello, Name is Eddie. I am a student at Cal Poly and I am writing to express my support
for rent control and efforts to alleviate the stress of increased rental prices in the area. My
roommate and I have a rental apartment close to campus fortunately. However, some students are
not lucky enough to get an apartment close enough to campus that is walk distance or a short
bike ride away. Some students must seek rental properties outside of San Luis Obispo in
neighboring cities in order to find a cheaper place to live. As a student who also has a job,
involved in clubs and organizations, my time is important to me. If I had to commute to class
from a neighboring city like Morro Bay, I would have less time to dedicate to my studies.
In addition to the rate of rental properties causing other students to look outside of the
city for affordable housing, students may also be forced to take on a second job. I know people in
some of my classes that have had to take on a second job while being a full-time student because
the lease was increased rather than decreased for re-signing a lease. Students at Cal Poly spend
about $33,000 for housing, food, books, and other things each year. This translates to around
$132,000 of costs for an undergraduate degree. This cost of attendance might be covered in some
portion or not at all. According to different rental websites, the average rage for a 2-bedroom
apartment rental in San Luis Obispo is $2,100 - $2,350. Rather than making housing harder to
get for students or first-time renters, the city should be passing policy that makes it a little easier
for student to rent.
According to data from the United States Census Bureau, San Luis Obispo County has a
population of 282,000. Of that population, about 16% are in the age range of 20-29, the age in
which people are typically enrolled in college. Given that Cal Poly admits approximately 17,000-
22,000 students each year and students contribute a good amount to the local economy, why not
propose and pass ordinances, measures, policies that makes the lives of students better? A start
would be to pass rent control to alleviate stress of community or having to take a second job as a
full-time student. Quality of life for students is better than the interested of construction
companies, property management companies, and other corporations. Thank you for your time.
Sources:
https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-counties-total.html
https://censusreporter.org/profiles/05000US06079-san-luis-obispo-county-ca/