West Valley rent hikes push young public servants out of local government roles

The West Valley housing crisis is pushing younger public servants out of local government roles, as demonstrated by Yuyi He and Juan Rodríguez. He resigned from Cupertino’s Housing Commission after her rent surged from $3,252 to $3,573, while Rodríguez moved to San Jose due to a shortage of affordable apartments in Campbell. Advocacy groups, including Project Sentinel, urge cities to enhance tenant protections under Assembly Bill 1482 to aid the struggling middle class. In the West Valley, where 41. 7% of residents rent, average monthly payments have reached about $3,643.

Cupertino's rental rates alone have increased by 75% from 2013 to 2023. The situation complicates the ability of younger individuals to participate in local governance, even with high-paying jobs. Los Gatos Vice Mayor Rob Moore, one of the few young public officials, acknowledges the lack of affordable housing in the region. This crisis threatens the diversity and representation within local governments as younger residents grapple with housing instability.