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As someone who was born, raised, and now rents in Anaheim, I can tell you firsthand that the struggle to find affordable housing in this city is real—and it’s only getting worse. I’m incredibly lucky to have found a place I can now call home, but many of my neighbors, friends, and fellow residents haven’t been as fortunate. They’re being priced out, forced to leave the city they’ve lived in for years, or stuck on waitlists for affordable housing that might never materialize.
As of October 2024, the average monthly rent in Anaheim is $2,051—32% higher than the national average. Anaheim ranks as one of the priciest cities for renters, and larger spaces can cost upwards of $2,800 per month. Rents have increased by $105 over the past year, and nearly 26% of residents’ incomes are now being spent on rent. According to a recent Forbes study, Anaheim ranks sixth worst for rental price increases. On top of that, Anaheim ranks second worst of major for housing availability, offering just 7 rental units per 100,000 households, far below the average of 164.
It’s clear: Anaheim is facing an affordable housing crisis, and we can no longer afford to wait—just as we can no longer afford the skyrocketing rent that leaves us questioning how we’re going to make ends meet at the end of the month.
After years of persistent community demands, the Anaheim City Council is at last considering an Inclusionary Housing Ordinance—a transformative policy that could reshape the lives of thousands of residents, including people like me who have long envisioned a future where affordable housing is genuinely accessible to everyone in our community.
But instead of moving toward that future, we’re seeing the same old dynamics play out—developers and special interests holding too much sway over the decisions that impact our lives.
That’s why we need more leadership like what we’re seeing from Mayor Ashleigh Aitken. Her decision to call for a workshop on this critical issue—and her recognition that this policy is long overdue—is exactly the kind of advocacy our residents deserve. She’s showing that leaders can and should listen to our community, acknowledge the housing crisis, and push for real solutions that benefit us all.
Now, it’s up to the City Council to follow through and ensure that this momentum turns into meaningful action for the future of affordable housing in our community.
This isn’t just another policy debate, however—it’s about whether Anaheim will finally begin to address our housing crisis or continue to let those with the most influence dictate who lives here.
Currently, over 30,000 families in Anaheim are on the waiting list for Section 8 vouchers. Another 4,000 households are waiting for affordable housing units that aren’t even available yet. That’s tens of thousands of people—seniors, working families, young professionals, students—who are being left behind in our city. It’s unacceptable.
Meanwhile, other nearby cities like Costa Mesa, Santa Ana, and Irvine have already adopted inclusionary housing policies that require developers to set aside a percentage of new housing units at affordable rates. These cities are proving that inclusionary housing works—it boosts the supply of affordable homes and fosters mixed-income communities where people from all walks of life can live together. So why hasn’t Anaheim done the same?
Inclusionary housing isn’t a radical idea. It’s a common-sense policy that ensures every new development in Anaheim contributes to solving the housing crisis, rather than making it worse. By requiring developers to either build affordable units or pay into a fund that supports affordable housing construction, we can finally start to close the gap between the housing we have and the housing we need.
Now, some will argue that what works in other cities won’t necessarily work for Anaheim. But the fact is, we have yet to see inclusionary housing policies fail anywhere they’ve been implemented. On the contrary, the best research shows virtually no negative impact on housing markets where these policies are in place. In fact, in cities with rising housing costs—like Anaheim—well-designed inclusionary housing programs have proven to be not only sustainable but effective in boosting the supply of affordable homes without driving developers away.
Inclusionary housing is simply common sense. It’s basic fairness to ask developers to contribute to the community they’re profiting from. The notion that Anaheim can’t make this work isn’t a reason to reject the policy—it’s a reason to make sure we enact it with the strength and accountability needed to deliver results. The stakes are too high, and the need is too urgent, for us to continue accepting excuses.
I grew up in Anaheim. This city is my home, and I love the countless ways it’s shaped who I am today. Like so many others who were born and raised here, I want to stay close to my family and the community that built me. As a young woman who dreams of raising a family of my own here one day, I refuse to believe that Anaheim’s housing crisis is an unavoidable reality. This crisis isn’t just happening by chance—it’s the result of deliberate policy choices. It’s time to solve it by making better ones.
Carolina Mendez, 25, is a community organizer born and raised in Anaheim. With experience leading grassroots efforts for progressive change, she has worked to support and advocate for communities at the local, state, and national levels. She is passionate about ensuring Anaheim remains accessible and affordable for all its residents.
Opinions expressed in community opinion pieces belong to the authors and not Voice of OC.
Voice of OC is interested in hearing different perspectives and voices. If you want to weigh in on this issue or others please email opinions@voiceofoc.org.
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