Students shift the conversation on housing from partisan gridlock to constructive dialogue.
Housing affordability in California hit a 16-year low in 2023, according to the California Association of Realtors. More than half of Californians now consider themselves “rent burdened,” meaning they spend 30% or more of their income on rent. This housing crisis has had a profound impact on communities across the state—particularly young people looking to secure independence in an increasingly unaffordable market.
Yet, meaningful conversations about housing solutions have often been mired in political division. Leaders struggle to balance housing costs, homelessness, environmental regulations, and economic equity, leaving many residents feeling unheard.
Determined to shift the conversation, students at San Jose State University’s BridgeUSA chapter (BridgeSJSU) took matters into their own hands. This month, they hosted an open discussion on California’s housing crisis, proving that young people are not only invested in this issue but are also ready to collaborate on solutions beyond partisanship.
“This was an important topic because we covered areas that affect every student there,” said Margot Catrini, president of BridgeSJSU. “Even if a student themself is not homeless, everyone had stories to contribute as the housing market declines in our area.”
The topic of housing is not a new issue for the Golden State. The state has long grappled with rising home prices, a shortage of affordable housing and increasing homelessness. More recently, the devastating Los Angeles wildfires in January further exacerbated the problem of housing instability.
“Students were very passionate about sharing about the LA wildfires. Many of our members are from the area and shared a lot of stories from their neighborhoods. This part of the discussion was a bit more solemn,” said Catrini.
She said discussion on the wildfires was used as a learning experience for many. She also said many students expressed frustration over city evacuation efforts in the wake of the wildfires, and advocated for stronger communication and proactive planning.
From there, the discussion naturally expanded to broader systemic issues, including homelessness in the area.
As of January 2025, at least 187,084 people were experiencing homelessness in California—the highest rate in the United States. The discussion at BridgeSJSU explored various potential solutions to this, including a Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) initiative to convert a parking lot into temporary housing for unhoused residents in San Jose.
“A lot of people at the discussion agreed that this would be a helpful way to handle things. The conversation also pushed for better mental health and addiction services in our communities,” said Catrini.
At BridgeUSA, we believe that young people are the key to unlocking constructive conversations on today’s most pressing challenges. The students at BridgeSJSU exemplified this mission—proving that when we come together, solutions become possible.