2nd Annual Lobby Day
in Sacramento
April 16, 2024
Face-to-face meetings with housing decision-makers are the most effective way to reclaim the housing narrative and protect democracy!
Lobby Day was an opportunity to HAVE OUR VOICES HEARD by the legislators who sit on State housing committees.
Many of us are upset, some say “horrified,” by the power legislators have granted to developers/investors at the expense of local control. Instead of housing laws fulfilling a promise to meet the need for “affordable housing,” since 2017, homelessness has increased by 31%, medium rent has increased by 38%, and the housing production rate has remained flat.
And at the center of the problem: RHNA – Regional Housing Need Allocation. The methodology is unreliable. RHNA quotas are inflated. RNHA process has stripped away the public’s right to participate. And the situation has been getting worse.
On April 16th twenty-one Catalysts from 6 Bay area counties went to Sacramento. After a short briefing in the offices of our lobbyist, Rand Martin, four teams went to the Capitol to talk to members of the Assembly and Senate and their aides and staff. The teams included 7 current or former elected officials.
The Lobby Day message was clear:
- RHNA is flawed! Legislators have created the mess, and they must fix it.
- RHNA harms communities! It decreases safety, reduces financial stability, and violates democratic principles.
The “Why” was clear: If legislative decision makers don’t hear from US, they don’t know there’s an alternative point of view with regard to housing policy that is based on a flawed RHNA system.
Lobby Day Photo Gallery
Lobby Day Orientation – April 4, 2024
Slides for this presentation are available (PDF)
Introduction to the Lobby Day Program – March 11, 2024
Slides for this presentation are available (PDF)
Lobby Day Video Resources
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is the purpose of Lobby Day?
- To bring a halt to housing policy that erodes the American Dream of home ownership, turns
California into a landlord/tenant state, and destroys the natural beauty preserved by 50 years
of environmental protections.
• To share evidence that the RHNA methodology is flawed and mandates are negatively
impacting you and your community.
• To expand influence with the legislators, or their aides, who make housing policy for the state.
• To persuade legislators to correct the RHNA flaws
2. Who can participate?
Anyone who is passionate about state overreach into housing and land use planning, including current and former elected officials and community leaders.
3. What are the dates?
March 11 (M) – Catalysts Call: The Power and Potential of Lobby Day (recording on website)
March 28 (M) – Deadline to register as a Lobby Day Leader
April 4 (Th) – Lobby Day Orientation, 5-6:30, mandatory for group leaders; open to all. Register for the Town Hall
April 11 (Th) – Orientation Q&A, 5-6:30 pm Town Hall; optional
April 16 (T) – Lobby Day in Sacramento
April 19 (F) – Team leader photos and reports due
April 22 (M) – Catalysts Call: Debriefing for all
4. What should I expect on Lobby Day?
8:45 Gathering meeting in Sacramento near the capitol. Allow time for travel and parking
9:00 Welcome from Catalysts lobbyist Rand Martin, overview of the day, maps, etc.
9:30 Meet with your team members to confirm roles and schedule; disburse for first meeting
10-2 Meet with legislators/aides/staff for 20-30 minutes
2:30 Gather for a group discussion (optional)
3:30 Wrap up and return home
5. How should I prepare?
The Catalysts website is loaded with resources. Watch the videos or view the slides from presentations by Marc Verville on RHNA’s lack of validity; Amy Kalish on the avalanche of market-rate housing, without meeting the need for affordable housing; and Eric Filseth on HCD’s broken promises. Pay attention to what’s happening in your own community.
6. How will Catalysts support a successful Lobby Day?
Catalysts will:
-
- Assemble the names of people who register for Lobby Day and designate teams.
- Create the 3/19 daily schedule of 5-6 meetings of 20-30 minutes for each team.
- Provide collateral material including:
- Legislator’s contact information
- A leave-behind flyer with talking points and links to the data (PDF)
- Catalysts buttons
Want to know more? Contact Susan Kirsch at susan@susankirsch.com or call 415-686-4375.
Meeting face-to-face with housing policy decision-makers is the most effective way to make changes.