District 3 Santa Cruz City Council
The District 3 Santa Cruz City Council seat is up for election. The Santa Cruz City Council converted to a district-based representative system in 2022. The March 5 election is the first time District 3 voters will choose a council member.
District 3 includes lower Westside south of Laurel Street and west of Chestnut Street, Neary Lagoon, West Cliff Drive from Beach Street to Columbia Street, parts of Westside and parts of upper Westside bounded by Arroyo Seco, Meder Street and Bay Drive.
District 3 voters will choose between incumbent Shebreh Kalantari-Johnson and Joy Schendledecker.
Key differences in candidates’ positions
| Shebreh Kalantari-Johnson | Joy Schendledecker |
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| How to make housing more affordable: | |
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| Where and what type of new housing should be built in District 3: | |
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| How to address homelessness: | |
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| View on Measure M: | |
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How to make housing more affordable
Shebreh Kalantari-Johnson:
- Streamline approval of housing developments and in-law units.
- Support a city tax hike to raise money for housing construction.
- Give money to rental support programs.
Joy Schendledecker:
- Raise the portion of new developments required to be affordable.
- Use public property for public housing.
- Reinstate an eviction moratorium.
- Create a property transfer tax to fund affordable housing.
Where and what type of new housing should be built in District 3
Shebreh Kalantari-Johnson:
- In-law units in neighborhoods.
Joy Schendledecker:
- Buildings with housing and shops on Mission Street up to four stories, or higher if they have affordable housing.
How to address homelessness
Shebreh Kalantari-Johnson:
- Build more affordable housing and permanent supportive housing.
- Create a navigation center to connect unhoused people with resources.
- Invest in programs for children and youth to prevent future homelessness.
Joy Schendledecker:
- Create more small managed camps, safe parking sites and supportive housing.
- End frequent sweeps of tent camps and enforcement of anti-camping laws.
- Support medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder.
View on Measure M
Shebreh Kalantari-Johnson:
- Against Measure M.
Joy Schendledecker:
- Supports Measure M.
What we heard from Santa Cruz City Council District 3 voters
To understand voters’ priorities for the March 5 election, Santa Cruz Local interviewed and surveyed 75 Santa Cruz residents from four city council districts. Santa Cruz Local heard from residents ages 18 to 84 from August to October. The survey was not intended to be a scientific study, but rather a straw poll of issues that matter to voters.
The top themes raised by District 3 residents were:
- Increasing housing affordability.
- Housing development.
- Addressing homelessness.
- Walking, cycling and public transportation infrastructure.
- Crime, drug use and litter in public spaces.
Map of District 3 Santa Cruz City Council
Click here for an interactive map of Santa Cruz City Council districts.
The Santa Cruz City Council converted to a district-based representative system in 2022. The March 5 election is the first time District 3 voters will choose a council member. (City of Santa Cruz)
