More than 50 community members gathered Monday evening outside City Hall for the city's first People's State of the City, a grassroots response to the mayor's recent official address.
The event brought together advocates, renters, and working families to share perspectives they said were missing from the official State of the City, including concerns about rising rents, housing insecurity, and access to affordable housing.
Organizers from the Riverside County Young Democrats, Inland Empire Tenants Union, Working Families Party, and IE United framed what they called a "tale of two cities" — the Riverside promoted in official communications versus the reality facing residents struggling with cost-of-living increases.
"The State of the City talked about 'leveling up,' but many Riversiders are asking a simple question: leveling up for whom?" said Aram Ayra, a Ward 2 resident and event organizer. "There is a growing gap between the Riverside that is marketed and the Riverside that is lived."
Speakers criticized the City Council's Jan. 13 decision to reject $20.1 million in state Homekey+ funding that would have converted the Quality Inn at 1590 University Ave. into 114 studio apartments for homeless and low-income residents. The council voted 4-3 to turn down the grant for what's known as the University Terrace project, with a Feb. 3 deadline approaching for reconsideration.
Ward 2 Councilmember Clarissa Cervantes, who represents the district where the Quality Inn is located, attended the event and urged residents to continue advocating for the Homekey+ project. She encouraged community members to contact their councilmembers and participate in public comment as the city considers next steps on affordable housing.
"I grew up watching my family struggle with housing insecurity, and I see those same struggles playing out across Riverside today," said Mirella Monroy, a Riverside resident and Inland Empire Tenants Union member. "Everyone deserves safe, stable housing, but too many families are being priced out, ignored by landlords, and left without protections."
Advocates also addressed the city's approach to homelessness, calling for housing-first solutions and increased services rather than what they described as disinvestment.
"This is what democracy looks like when people refuse to be invisible," said Jéi Raby, a Working Families Party member. "We get to tell our own stories, name the problems plainly, and insist on better solutions."
Organizers concluded by calling on city leaders to meaningfully engage impacted communities and reconsider the Quality Inn Homekey+ project before today's Feb. 3 deadline.
