January 3, 2026
Governor Gavin Newsom; 1021 O Street, Suite 9000; Sacramento, CA 95814
Senator Scott Wiener; 455 Golden Gate Avenue; Suite 14800; San Francisco,
CA 94102
Director Gustavo Velasquez, HCD; 651 Bannon Street; Sacramento, CA 95811
State Treasurer Malia Cohen; 901 P Street, Room 411-B; Sacramento, CA 95814
Tomiquia Moss
Director; Housing Agency; 500 Capitol Mall, Suite 1850; Sacramento, CA 95814
Raymond Hodges, Director of the Dept or Housing; 3300 Middlefield Road;
Redwood City, CA 94063
Senator Josh Becker; 1021 O St., Suite 6520; Sacramento, CA 95814
*RE: PROCEDURE THE STATE IS USING TO ROLL OUT THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING
INITIATIVE IS A LOSING BATTLE*
To All of You Above:
I implore you to look at how the affordable housing initiative is being
rolled out. It is a losing battle
*1)* using a 15% BMR, and *2)* using the punitive “Developer’s Remedy”.
*1) **The mere 15% BMR provides very little affordable housing and a
proliferation of expensive housing that is beyond affordable for middle- or
lower-income groups (see enclosed communications dated 11/15/25 and
10/31/25).*
*2) **The Developer’s Remedy does NOT target more affordable housing,
but creates additional need for affordable housing (see enclosed
communications dated 2/17/25 and Resent on 3/27/25).*
Our city representatives are overwhelmed by the state requirements and
their actions represent fear of the state’s housing directive that are
government over-reach and the punitive developer’s remedy.
Obviously, I have written and written to try to do something about this
horrid living situation for us hardworking middleclass citizens who would
have liked to retire in peace and find we may not be able to afford to live
in California due to your authoritative over-reach in how you are pushing
out the affordable housing initiative in the manner you are currently
doing.
Have no doubt, my husband and I would like to see more affordable housing
for people, but how this is being done only benefit the greedy developers
who do not care about our communities.
Your lack of action merely supports this over-reach.
Sincerely,
Rubye Cervelli PhD
Cc: City Council of Menlo Park
