Pranita Venkatesh

For candidate Pranita Venkatesh, family and community are important to consider in constructing views on affordable housing. These values align with her goals for San Carlos and the housing development projects. 

“My priorities for San Carlos are public safety, childcare, economic stability, infrastructure, and affordable housing,” Venkatesh said.

In 2020, Venkatesh was appointed to the San Carlos Economic Development Advisory Commission (EDAC), a seven-member commission appointed by the city council. They aim to advise the city council on economic development programs and goals. Some of these goals include maintaining a successful business climate, ensuring a diverse job base, and securing an adequate range of housing for employees. 

“In this role, I’ve been deeply involved in the implementation of the city’s pressing needs and priorities,” Venkatesh said.

Her background with the San Carlos EDAC has prompted her to view the conflict surrounding affordable housing through the lens of how such development would affect local businesses and the area’s economy.

“There is no question that we have a housing shortage. Particularly for lower-wage workers. This affects both the diversity of our community and the survival of our small businesses which have trouble finding employees who live locally,” Venkatesh said. 

Venkatesh stressed the importance of maintaining a thoughtful balance between housing and different types of businesses. The current city council’s approval of expanding affordable housing development by five times the progress in the last eight-year cycle could infringe upon this goal.

“The corridor between El Camino Real and 101 is an area rife with opportunity and an important economic driver in San Carlos and the region,” Venkatesh said. “The diversity of businesses needs to be part of the landscape on the East side.”

Setting her personal views aside, Venkatesh also noted that she intends to consider the perspectives of San Carlos residents, who will be directly affected by further affordable housing developments. 

“It’s important to engage the broader community on this topic, which San Carlos does well,” Venkatesh said.

From family and community to the health of the local economy, Venkatesh explained that she ultimately wants to cultivate a welcoming San Carlos and more affordable housing is a necessary step in this direction.

“I support bringing housing to the mix and feel it would create a true sense of place and create even more opportunities for folks to live and work locally,” Venkatesh said.