Thread by @vietriseoc

Tonight, we organized with elderly and senior mobile home residents in #SantaAna in support of a rent stabilization and just cause eviction protections ordinance.

15 Vietnamese elders called in and we proudly held their photos so the council and all could see their faces.

"Your vote today will illustrate your commitment and determination to do the right thing, the right way, for all the right reasons to uplift humanity, decency, and caring citizenship" - Qui V., 58 years old

"My name is Kim. I only receive $930.00 in Social Security each month, but the monthly land lease payments are $1,105.00. It is very difficult, and I have to beg my children and grandchildren to help support me by sending me money to pay my rent."

"We are Trung (73y/o) & Hoi (74). We currently live in Bali Hi and have lived here for 14 years. We live with a fixed salary of $1,600 but our expenses total up to $1,300 thus our lives are very difficult.

We respectfully ask City Council to intervene by passing rent control."

"We are Cal and Phung, 78 years and 75 years old. The landlord has increased rent by 3x and this will continue the coming year.

So we hope city council of Santa Ana will vote yes for rent stabilization.We want to stay in Bali Hi Park and don’t want to be homeless."

"Our names are Dai & Mary. For ~2 years we live on a retirement of $1,600. Our bills total $1,400. We are asking you to help us by supporting rent stabilization.

Let us live a life of dignity here. We have been living, working, & paying our dues in the U.S. for over 20 years."

"Every one of us has the right of securing a decent place of living. To insist rent increase is to impose worry and anxiety to seniors, residents of limited income, and could be a violation of human rights... Rev. Joseph Duc Minh (1/2)

"Before every election, all candidates promised to work to help people for a better living. We are now in need of help and we hope all the members of the city council would listen to our desperate cry for help." - Reverend Joseph Duc Minh (2/2).

Last council meeting, Mayor Sarmiento and council members Phan, Hernandez, and Lopez voted yes.

Thank you to these council members. We urge the rest of the council - council members Mendoza, Baccera, and Penaloza to support residents and do the same - vote YES on rent control.