Housing

I believe everyone should have access to safe and affordable housing so that people from all backgrounds can live safe and healthy lives. 

California is currently facing a significant shortage of affordable housing. Of the more than 1.2 million extremely low-income renter households in California, over three-fourths  are severely cost burdened, meaning they spend more than half their income on rent. As a result of skyrocketing housing costs, our unsheltered population has continually increased, including families with children. 

In order to support unsheltered persons, create equitable housing opportunities, and attract more people to our growing local economies, we must work to make housing more affordable for residents of the Central Coast. 

The Central Coast has been a leader in housing policy, and I am committed to expanding the great work that has already been done in our district. For example, Santa Barbara’s Safe Parking Program, the first of its kind, allows individuals experiencing vehicular homelessness to safely park overnight in designated areas with access to basic amenities like restrooms and showers. Since its introduction, this Central Coast program has inspired communities across the country to invest in their own safe parking programs. Its success inspired me to introduce the Naomi Schwartz and Susan Rose Safe Parking Act, which would unlock federal housing funds for safe parking programs by making them eligible for grants to support operation and expansion.

Caption: Rep. Carbajal Introducing the Naomi Schwartz Safe Parking Program Act

I am also committed to addressing the shortage of affordable housing units so working families of all incomes can afford a home. To accomplish this, I introduced the Housing For All Act with my colleagues Senator Padilla and Representative Ted Lieu. This legislation would invest over $500 billion across 10 years to address the affordable housing shortage and homelessness crisis by bolstering existing programs and empowering local driven solutions that fit the needs of communities. I also co-led the introduction of the DASH Act, which would make landmark investments to house those experiencing homelessness, tackle housing affordability by increasing supply, and expand homeownership opportunities. 

Securing affordable housing for our brave men and women in uniform continues to be a challenge. That’s why I introduced the Home for the Brave Act, which exempts disability benefits from counting towards the total income of veterans applying for housing assistance. The Biden Administration announced in August 2024 that they would be adopting my bill to no longer count veterans’ disability income towards income eligibility for their programs.

Over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, we saw a devastating housing shortage across the state. As a result, I supported federal housing aid to address this crisis. In 2020, the CARES Act brought $550 million into our state for the Project RoomKey Program, which converts hotels, motels, and empty apartment buildings into long-term low-cost housing. 

More recently, the American Rescue Plan provided over $10 million to the Central Coast through HOME Investment Partnership Programs specifically to support unsheltered persons.

I have secured millions in support of affordable housing projects up and down the Central Coast. This includes $2 million for the Housing Authority of San Luis Obispo to purchase the Anderson Hotel to create affordable housing units (Fiscal Year 2022 budget), and $1 million for County of Santa Barbara and Sanctuary Centers to help construct 34 new studio apartments and a neighborhood clinic space for residents struggling with homelessness, mental illness, and substance use disorders. 

In addition to my support for these critical measures, I am also proud to serve on the Congressional Homelessness Caucus, Renters Caucus, and Real Estate Caucus. Providing affordable housing for working individuals and families is key to a strong economy and safe community. With this work, we can make sure that no one has to worry about whether they will be able to afford rent or where they will sleep at night.

For more information concerning my work and views related to housing, please contact our office.