Housing is more than shelter—it’s identity, community, and roots. In Pomona, the debate over affordable housing and development isn’t just policy—it’s personal. I’ve talked to families, renters, and longtime homeowners who feel torn between hope for change and fear of losing what makes Pomona home.
Challenges We Live With
Many people here struggle with rent hikes and unaffordable housing. Pomona’s Rent Stabilization and Eviction Control Ordinance, which takes effect in 2026, limits annual rent increases to 5% and allows only one increase per year. But that doesn’t always stop displacement when new developments or property sales reset pricing.
Overcrowding is another issue especially for larger families. With limited larger units and rising rent, many renters share space beyond comfort. Seniors on fixed incomes worry about keeping their homes as costs rise.
Growth Without Losing Ourselves
New housing—and even new zoning—is viewed with mixed feelings. On one hand, Pomona needs more homes, especially affordable and multigenerational ones. On the other, policies like allowing developers to pay in-lieu fees rather than build affordable units are seen by many as loopholes that let profit take precedence over people.
Public safety shows up too—folks talk about street lighting, trash on sidewalks, RV dwellings, and consistent law enforcement. Such details matter; they are part of feeling at home and safe. So when housing growth ramps up without investments in infrastructure and services, we lose more than roofs—we lose peace of mind.
What We Want From Leaders
First, collaboration. Residents want to be heard early—during planning stages, zoning updates, and policy drafts. Community engagement shouldn’t be a checkbox; it should shape outcomes. Many here felt excluded during recent Housing Element updates.
Second, accountability. If ordinances allow in-lieu fees, where is the follow-through? If affordable housing is promised in theory, where are the homes—and how many go to existing Pomona households versus newcomers? Clear reporting and public metrics matter.
Personal Voices, Shared Future
I met Maria, a renter with two boys, who’s lived in Pomona more than a decade. She worries every year about rising rent; she loves her neighborhood but is considering leaving if she can’t keep up. I met Mr. Chang, a small landlord, who understands the desire to upgrade properties but fears restrictions that squeeze his ability to maintain and repair homes. Their stories aren’t opposing—they’re two sides of what makes housing in Pomona complicated.
Growth is inevitable. What matters is whether it includes the people who’ve shaped Pomona already. Whether they get to stay, thrive, and see themselves in the city’s future. Our homes, our stories—they deserve a place in the vision.