End COPA on 4/25

Apr 16

Hello all,

As our newly formed organization (UHA) for small market housing providers in Santa Clara County takes shape, we will be laser focused on San Jose - the 3rd largest city in California and the hotbed of the Bay Area's excessive housing regulations. Using a competitive marketing style will be our main vehicle, which will enable us to go head to head against NonProfit lobbying organizations.

On to business - COPA will be discussed and hopefully permanently terminated at SJCC on 4/25. But COPA is not done yet. Jackie's new memo - proposes 2 COPA alternatives On page 3 of the memo dated 4/12, Jackie proposes two policy alternatives for the SJCC meeting on 4/25. See below on how to participate.

As you read the proCOPA opinion in the Merc, notice the one reason given against COPA. There are numerous reasons against COPA but they attacked the weakest argument against COPA - property rights. This positioning validates our UHA marketing strategy used to defeat COPA at the committee level (below). Opinion: Protecting our neighbors’ homes will keep Bay Area diverse

Please read - SJ’s COPA contradicts city’s housing strategy And a big thank you to all the organizations which signed on in support under the new umbrella organization - Independent Leadership Group - founders Pat Waite & Irene Smith.

Please read - COPA financial assumptions don’t withstand scrutiny

Addressing the issues Council-members are most motivated to consider as both relevant and persuasive -- will be our most effective course of action.

COPA is harmful to housing growth, completely unnecessary, and a financial blunder for the City of San Jose.
Supply: COPA misdiagnoses the housing crisis and does not increase housing stock.
Affordability: COPA will not increase affordable housing.
Evictions: Non-profits will continue evictions.
Property tax reduction: Non-profits will not pay property taxes; deepening the city's fiscal shortfalls and inability to address core services.
Vouchers: We can prevent evictions and displacement through rental vouchers directly to renters who need them most, rather than creating non-profit corporate giants.

Tell the city council to end COPA ($1M spent for a 3 year analysis).

If you want an explanation about COPA, watch the quick educational video: COPA in the City of San Jose

Thank you,

United Housing Alliance Board of Directors -

Jeff Zell, Jim Campagna, Irene Smith; with support from Roberta Moore & Carlos Padilla

How to participate on 4/25

Attending City Council meetings is the most impactful way to have your opinion heard. NonProfits are experts in gathering supporters to attend and speak at SJCC meetings.

City Agenda 4/15 COPA

You can also submit comments in the following ways:

You can write before the meeting: You can submit comments using the eComment link on the city’s meeting calendar or to the City Clerk at city.clerk@sanjoseca.gov by 10:00 a.m. the day of the meeting. Be sure to list the agenda item number in the subject line of your email. Emails will be attached to the council item under “Letters from the Public,” but will not be read aloud during the meeting.

If you need to write during the meeting: You can also submit written comment during the meeting by emailing councilmeeting@sanjoseca.gov. Again, make sure to list the agenda item number in the subject line of your email.
- Zoom: You can find a Zoom link to the agenda on the city’s meeting calendar.
- YouTube: City Council meetings are streamed on the city’s YouTube channel.
- Phone: Dial in using one of the phone numbers provided below. Be sure to enter the webinar ID and password found on the meeting’s agenda:
  - +1 408 638 0968
  - 877 853 5257 (Toll-free)