The majority of residents living in Isla Vista are college students attending either the University of California, Santa Barbara or Santa Barbara City College. With a population just under 16,000 individuals, Isla Vista lacks the affordable housing necessary for college students to reside. 

The existent housing is very expensive and the lack of rent control contributes to massive rent increases each year. Students are forced to have as many as six people in just one bedroom of a home to be able to afford housing. The 4-bedroom homes that landlords advertise for 18 people are hardly a sufficient environment for students to study and live in comfortably, especially with each student paying well over $1,000.

In addition to the ridiculous rent prices and upcharges each year, Isla Vista lacks enough housing in general for the amount of people who need it. Many students are unable to find housing anywhere nearby and are forced to sleep in their cars or commute from their homes hours away. 

Students have a right to easy access to safe and affordable housing which can only be achieved through taking action. I urge the community of Isla Vista to sign this petition to demand urgent change in the matter. We can no longer allow 10% to 15% increases in rental prices each year and we must focus on a housing solution and plan to house more students safely and comfortably.