“When I was renting an apartment with roommates, our rent increased by more than $400 – nearly 30% – after the first year, which made a big negative impact on our lives. I started eating canned ravioli from the dollar store, enrolled for food stamps, and sold unopened Christmas gifts. I was sacrificing everything just to pay rent. The Central Valley has long been known for being an affordable place to live, but the rent spikes here have made it unmanageable for college students and young adults like me. Making ends meet to pay rent impacts millions of people across the state. That’s why the state must pass AB 1157, the Affordable Rent Act.”

– Astrid Morales, tenant living Merced, CA and Senior Organizer with PowerCA Action