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Q&A
Commissioner Bozorg on truthfully addressing the causes of the housing crisis, including member deference
0:51:01
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82 sec
Commissioner Leila Bozorg, while agreeing that final recommendations may not need to explicitly name "member deference," strongly advocates that the commission's report should not downplay how this practice has contributed significantly to the housing crisis.
She emphasizes that the current crisis is largely a locally created issue, predating recent federal funding challenges, and that the report must be candid about these root causes.
This frankness is seen as essential to treating the crisis with the urgency it deserves.
- Bozorg believes that while recommendations can be framed constructively, the analysis of the problem should be unflinching.
- She argues that the de facto system of "member preference" has been a major factor in creating the current housing shortage.
- The report should acknowledge that local policies and practices are primary drivers of the crisis, distinct from federal issues.
Leila Bozorg
0:51:01
I just wanna, if I can comment too on I I for the final report, I I hear what you're saying, Kathy, around I I don't think our recommendations need to reference member defenses, but I do feel strongly I mean, this goes to treating the crisis as a crisis.
0:51:17
We should not sugarcoat how we've gotten here Right.
0:51:20
Mhmm.
0:51:20
In any way.
0:51:22
And, yes, you know, council members, local electeds obviously have you know, they're looking out for their constituents Mhmm.
0:51:30
And have and we heard so much testimony in defense of existing processes that really is about had everyone's heart, I think, is in the right place.
0:51:39
But I don't think we should sugarcoat that what has defaulted to member preference has created a massive crisis.
0:51:46
I just so I I'm not comfortable taking that, and I think it's well described in the report right now.
0:51:51
I don't think we should water that down in any way.
0:51:53
I agree that our our recommendations don't need to point to that They don't.
0:51:58
balancing views and addressing our crisis.
0:52:00
And similarly, I mean, I I think referencing and talking about the federal crisis matters Mhmm.
0:52:05
But this is not this preexists what's happening in the federal government right now, and I think we should also own that.
0:52:11
That it's a lot of this is is a local issue that we have created.
0:52:15
The federal, you know, withdrawal and and funding cuts makes it more urgent, but that's not causing this crisis right now.
Sharon Greenberger
0:51:45
Mhmm.
Grace C. Bonilla
0:51:56
The premise.
Alec Schierenbeck
0:51:56
I agree.
Diane Savino
0:51:57
They just need to point
0:52:22
Well, that's close.