The rising cost of housing threatens Santa Barbara’s long-term resilience. Addressing it is not about changing what makes Santa Barbara special — it is about ensuring opportunity so the next generation can call the city home. Eric’s approach has always been practical and collaborative: expanding housing supply, increasing affordable options, and streamlining development processes so projects that meet community needs can move forward responsibly.

Eric proposed the initiative that established the Local Housing Trust Fund and secured millions of dollars in funding for affordable housing projects, and he led the effort to convert a previously approved market-rate development into a project that included 20% affordable units — proof that partnership and creativity can deliver results. As Mayor, Eric will continue bringing housing providers, businesses, and community leaders together to expand opportunity while preserving the character of our city.

Santa Barbara should remain a place where working families and longtime residents can afford to live and thrive — a community that balances its natural beauty with economic and housing solutions that serve everyone.