We’re excited to share an important panel from The Sanders Institute Gathering in Los Angeles on Affordable Housing and Homelessness. Global Perspectives: Exploring Social Housing Models, featuring California Assemblymember Alex Lee and Mayor of South San Francisco James Coleman, explores social housing examples in Asia and Europe; and recent legislative wins here in the U.S.

Assemblymember Lee, one of just five renters in the California state legislature, discussed his role as Chair of the Select Committee on Social Housing. He highlighted his advocacy for comprehensive housing legislation and compared successful international models, such as Singapore’s public housing, which integrates home ownership and ensures affordability through state control.

Mayor Coleman provided a local perspective on South San Francisco’s housing crisis, where median home values exceed $2 million. He highlighted the city’s efforts to expand social housing, including the successful 2022 Measure V, which authorized funding to advance affordable housing initiatives. Coleman emphasized the importance of inclusive policies and public amenities like schools and parks as models for accessible housing solutions.

Both speakers stressed the need for universal social housing approaches, drawing on international examples and advocating for policies that support long-term stability and broad societal benefits.

International examples like Vienna and Singapore highlight the success of robust social housing programs. Vienna, a consistently top-ranked city for livability, has prioritized housing since 1919, with 62% of its residents in social housing, supported by strong tenant protections. Singapore, despite its business-friendly environment, houses 80% of its population in social housing, showing the adaptability of these models across different systems.

We invite you to watch the full discussion in the video above. 

For more insights, read Assemblymember Lee’s op-ed in Commond Dreams here. 

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