Who are you and why did you get involved with SBTU?
I am Samara Canfield. I got involved with SBTU, because I am pissed off with how renter’s are held hostage by their landlords. I am angry that our local government and other local governments are not protecting renter’s rights with action outside of enacting renter’s laws with little to no follow through.
What’s something interesting about you that not a lot of people know?
Most people don’t know I gave and will actively stand up for others. Not many know that I am in an Indy film about the homeless in Santa Barbara county, that premiered in SB film festival last year. Mine and my friend Jack’s story about our journey into getting him services and housing are one of the success stories in this Indy film.
Did you grow up in or move to SB? What’s the backstory here?
My father and grandparents are from Santa Barbara CA. I was born in San Francisco and raised in the Bay Area. I moved to Santa Barbara just over 20 years ago, from Oahu island in Hawaii.
What do you do for a living? How did you end up doing this? Did you always want to do it, or did you want to do something else? How do you like doing it?
I am a hairstylist and a caregiver. I have been doing hair for close to 40 years, it has been a good fit for me. I became a caregiver after I sort of adopted my ex homeless friend Jack. I have had plenty of lofty goals to experience other careers, but none have really panned out.
Would you consider yourself “working class”? What does that term mean to you? What’s the difference between working class and middle class, generally?
I do consider myself working class. I am in the service industry and my income is in the general range to be considered working class. Working class ranges from minimum wage to below median income. Working class is typically, physical work, some training in a certain field, or specialized training like a hairstylist, caregiver and other non higher educational fields. The fight for housing has probably been more of an issue for the working class, but now that housing cost has become unsustainable in regards to the medium income to median rent and medium home prices, the middle class is now more affected than they were before. So I would foresee that the middle class would become more active in the fight for affordable housing.
Do you fear getting priced out of Santa Barbara? Do you know of anyone who had to move because of rising prices?
Not only do I fear being forced out of Santa Barbara, I accept that it is inevitable that I will have to leave. I know many people and friends that have left or know they will have to leave because of affordability issues.
Who is causing prices of rent to go up every year? Why do prices always go up but never go down?
Price’s go up because of Capitalism. It is based in what the market will bear. Bottom line companies will charge whatever amount they can get, until they reach a point where no one is buying any more. Rent’s included, low inventory the market can bear higher prices. They don’t care if we have to all live in a shared rental.
How do you feel about gentrification in Santa Barbara? What do you think causes gentrification? What could slow it down or stop it?
Gentrification is going to continue when an area is desirable and those with the means run out of options in the better neighborhoods and have started moving into the working class neighborhoods. I don’t think you can stop it without government intervention to protect housing for the lower middle class, working class, working poor and the poor. I don’t think this will happen until the community loses their workforce enough to hurt the whole community including the wealthy.
if you could wave a magic wand, what would be different about housing in Santa Barbara? What about on the state or federal level?
I feel that real affordable workforce housing needs to exist in every city that has a shortage of housing and a high cost of living. This needs to be a city, county and a state wide effort.
With that same magic wand, how would you make SBTU different? What are some priorities or projects SBTU membership should be working on right now?
I wish the members of SBTU including me, had more time to get stronger in our efforts. I wish they didn’t have us working so fucking hard to survive that we had more time to organize.
What else do you want to say?
Bloody hell I think I have said enough. Thank you.
Tell Your Tenant Story— It Matters!
We want to hear your experiences of struggle and success! Have you ever been harassed, intimidated, or mistreated by your landlord—or been pushed out of your home by a “soft eviction” or “renoviction” (renovation-based eviction)? Are you struggling to find affordable housing in this town? We want to hear your story!
Why? Whether shared anonymously or by you directly, this can be a great way to help elevate the shared struggles we face as renters as we keep organizing tenant power and push for more just housing in our region!
Please contact us to set up a time to share about your experience. It can be quick and it makes a difference! Contact Us at [email protected]