Santa Clara County

Rob Bonta has brought an unprecedented passion for enforcing state housing law to the Attorney General’s office. His leadership of the Housing Accountability Unit and his dedication to protecting pro-housing legislation from NIMBY nonsense has earned him the title Housing Champion.

Marc Berman is a proud, full-throated supporter of landmark housing legislation to end exclusionary zoning. With roots in Palo Alto, Assemblymember Berman understands that it is not sustainable for communities to keep saying ‘no’ to new housing as the housing crisis continues. Assemblymember Berman believes in supporting cities to build the homes their communities so desperately need.

Assemblymember Berman has supported and co-authored bills that generate new funding for affordable housing, that streamline the approval process of certain urban infill projects, and that set baseline standards for zoning. With his in-depth technical expertise and legislative skill, Assemblymember Berman is helping the state make huge strides in ending the housing crisis.

Alex Lee is one of only two renters serving in the California State Assembly, and his commitment to advocating for those most damaged by the housing shortage is second to none. As a strong supporter of every major pro-housing bill, every major push for tenant protections, and every effort to increase funding for affordable housing, Assemblymember Lee has been a steadfast housing champion.

Alex has supported upzoning bills like SB 50 and SB 9, while also authoring legislation to enable Social Housing and fighting to curb Ellis Act evictions. Assemblymember Lee is a legislator that truly supports “all of the above” solutions and proves that “both-and” can be more than just rhetoric.

Ash Kalra has been a consistent progressive vote for housing and tenant protections. His strong public support of bills such as SB 9, AB 1401 and co-authoring of SB50 and AB 854 highlight his strong positions on housing. As a member of the Committee on Housing and Community Development, Ash Kalra has relentlessly pushed for housing. He is more than willing to publicly call out local governments who operate with bad faith housing actions as examples of why strong state action is a required part of the solution for our housing crisis.

As a strong champion of justice, equity & progressive policies, YIMBY Action values Ash Karla’s well versed intersectional views of housing in relation to public health outcomes, transportation, racial justice, climate change and more. His championing of resources for the unhoused population highlights how he goes above and beyond to center those most affected by our housing crisis.

Evan Low has tremendously flexed his housing muscles by supporting SB 50, SB9, SB10, AB 1401 and virtually every housing bill that has come his way in the past several years. His solid voting record, and partnership with local housing organizations in his district—such as Cupertino for All–demonstrates a willingness to be a champion, despite representing a district that includes the traditionally housing-adverse communities of Cupertino, Saratoga, Los Gatos, Willow Glen, and Campbell.

YIMBYs should work to elect more legislators like Evan–those willing to take risks, while also having difficult, culturally-sensitive conversations with their constituents.

Gail Pellerin is new to housing, but is fired up about building an inclusive California with housing for all. Gail has cited tackling our housing shortage as a top legislative priority. She is committed to finding policy solutions to create more housing for the middle class, increase funding for low-income and supportive housing, and improve public transit and active transportation infrastructure to make our cities more climate friendly.

Assemblymember Robert Rivas is a true housing champion in the legislature. He has sponsored numerous YIMBY Action priority bills including SB 9 and SB 50 and has advanced other bills related to zoning reform, permit streamlining, and increasing funding for affordable housing. He is deeply committed to safe, affordable housing for all of his constituents from middle class families to farmworkers.

Raul Peralez has proven himself to be a strong housing champion by supporting abundant housing at all income levels. Peralez believes every city, not just San Jose, needs to do its part to meet the needs of their communities to create more inclusive communities.

Councilmember Peralez was champion for Opportunity Housing and is the only mayoral candidate that proudly supports SB9. Both of these policies eliminate the racist and exclusionary single family zoning that continues to segrate the city today.

During his 8 year term on the city council, Councilmember Peralez and his pregnant wife faced an owner move-in eviction. This has shaped his strong belief of tenant’s right to council for low income individuals, tenant protections and his vision to ensure future San Jose communities can continue to call San Jose home.