Housing was the number one issue with participants in a recent Islander informal social media survey. The Islander asked: “What are the opportunities and challenges facing Catalina in 2025?”
In all, the question received 72 comments, as of 1:33 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 8. Multiple comments were made the same individuals.
Comments that were unrelated to the question have been left out of this article. Only text has been quoted. An additional comment was submitted by private message. The comments below have been edited for minor errors of punctuation, capitalization and spelling. Every ellipsis ( … ) you read below was used by the original author of the post in which it appeared, apparently to indicate a pause or change of subject.
- Donna Terpinitz-Romo wrote: “Housing, Housing and Housing.”
- Sheila McKinley wrote: “Housing.”
- Rich Zanelli wrote: “Housing is Avalon’s greatest challenge. Landlords and ladies raise rent every year, but we cannot keep up. It goes beyond being unaffordable to the point of being unreasonable and unsustainable.”
- Note: Zanelli posted a clarification that he was not referring to his own landlady.
- Lora York wrote: “Express travel prices/policies.”
- Dan Schmalen wrote: “Housing but I’m concerned more and more of the Island will become open to development. I started working on the Island at age 13 and never would have thought Hamilton Cove would ever be a thought. Concerned about Avalon, Two Harbors (Isthmus).”
- Schmalen added a follow up: “I even read John Wayne wanted to buy Emerald Bay at one time to build a house? I think the Conservancy should become just that, a Conservancy!”
- Jennifer Ann wrote: “100%. Housing there’s so many vacation rentals and Airbnbs that there’s little to no housing for locals already here. Also they keep bringing in new people every year for work but need to give more full time job opportunities for those already here …
- Brenda Jordahl Carel wrote: “Housing!”
- Cat McIntosh Batham, replying to Brenda Jordahl Carel, wrote: “Always.”
- Jana Martinez wrote: “HOUSING AND COST OF HOUSING.”
- Amanda Dougal wrote: “Definitely housing and the astronomical prices we had to pay to stay. Aibnb/vacation rentals that are only full half the year while the locals are having to move off island due to no housing.”
- Peter Paccone wrote: “I believe that the biggest challenge facing Catalina Island in 2025 is the growing perception that the island is increasingly catering only to those with the financial means to stay for more than a day, and then at a considerable cost, leaving little room for middle-income visitors, long-term residents, and essential workers … and I view this perception as threatening to undermine the island’s character and sense of community, something that that many of us, long connected to the island in one way or another, have long cherished.”
- Brenda Jordahl Carel, replying to Peter Paccone, wrote: “It’s not just perception it’s truly a fact.”
- Debbie Braley wrote: “I came to the island with my family for two weeks every summer from the ‘60s up until Covid. The prices have jumped for food as well as lodging to the point where I cannot justify spending that much money any longer for a family of 4 to stay that long. Maybe a few days, but even a week is very costly. The perception is that the island is pushing for the more affluent visitor. My perception has always been that the residents are kind, hardworking people trying to make a living and raise their families on the island while also fighting to protect the deer and wildlife. The residents are who make the island run for the visitors and should be able to live and work here under good conditions.”
- Aimée Casillas wrote: “Produce at our only store in town is horrible. Many residents travel in order to go grocery shopping, or barge items themselves.”
- Teagan Machado replying to Aimée Casillas, wrote: “Yes!! THIS! Everything is bruised or goes bad many days before the “best by date”. I don’t enjoy going to Vons daily to find a darn apple that will still be good tomorrow for my kids lunch.”
- Helen Carroll Handy, replying to Teagan Machado, wrote: “Agreed! Their milk is gone bad several days before it’s sell by date!”
- Robbins Thompson, replying to Aimée Casillas, wrote: “Firstly it’s not just here, produce overtown has it issues. But bringing produce over by barge extends the travel times and the chance for damage. Overtown, for a store, it’s easy return or get new items in hours out here that’s not an option. I’ve lived on a number of islands this isn’t a new conversation.”
Note to Catalina visitors: The word “overtown” means on the mainland.
- Aimée Casillas, replying to Robbins Thompson, wrote: “Brought up the conversation because it is an issue HERE. personally I Instacart to the barge produce and it lasts a week. When I buy items at our local store you have to scrummage to find good quality. I love our store and the people that work there, I feel like this is a local issue that still needs to be talked about.
“Just like our housing issue isn’t a new conversation … it still needs to be discussed since it still is a problem.”
- Robbins Thompson, replying to Aimée Casillas, wrote: “You’re right of course. The people at Vons bust their butts for us, but as is usual don’t have a say in the quality or circumstances. Though I’ll say quality is pretty good. I wish there was a solutions to waste but that’s controlled by health inspectors and city regulations.”
- Vickie Pearce wrote: “With full transparency, I share my home on Airbnb. That said, even as a kid I remember hearing about housing problems, long before Airbnb and VRBO existed. I’ve always been surprised why people didn’t put pressure on the Island Company to develop more housing. Not only does the Island Co. have available land they have underdeveloped properties: Monkey Town, Las Casitas, Descanso.
“I don’t know what the water restrictions are, maybe they can’t, but it seems those properties could quadruple units & retain Avalon’s charm.
“Long story short, I think there will always be a housing shortage until the Island Co sells land to developers to build housing and improve the housing they have. It really isn’t right for a family to own an island and not create reasonable opportunities for families to live, flourish, and succeed.”
- Rob McCormick, replying to Vickie Pearce, wrote: “The last thing this town’s residents needs to do is pressure SCI to build more houses. They already have enough housing that is not offered to majority of residents due to it only being employee housing … It would be interesting to see what percentage of their employees are actual residents prior to their employment and how many outsourced jobs are given housing while local work force struggles.
- Vickie Pearce, replying to Rob McCormick, wrote: “I was thinking more along the lines of selling land to developers for resident housing. I know they won’t let go of that control and I don’t know what water restrictions may make that impossible but how much longer can year round residents’ numbers increase in one square mile? I truly believe the Island Co should take the bulk of responsibility for the housing shortage. They own the land who else would be responsible?”
- Rob McCormick, replying to Vickie Pearce, wrote: “Island Company would never but I see what you’re saying.”
- Wendy Hernandez, replying to Vickie Pearce, wrote: “The problem is, the Island Company isn’t like it used to be. 30 years ago, when I lived on Eucalyptus Street and did NOT even work for the island company, my apartment basically blew up and caught on fire, and SCI leadership at that time very generously offered me a place at Las Casitas for as long as I needed, and even gave me the first month, rent free. And they did that out of the kindness of their hearts. With no strings attached. Because they used to care about EVERYONE in this community. Sadly that’s not the case anymore. With all the land and power they have they could very easily solve most of our housing problems, and also show solidarity with their community. But they only care about themselves nowadays and I honestly feel as if they are happy we all have to struggle, because they want us all gone.”
- Vickie Pearce, replying to Wendy Hernandez, wrote: “I completely agree with you, Wendy. My comment is what I think they should do, not what I think they might do & I agree it’s about control.”
- Christine Loock wrote: “Please continue to keep maintenance and preservation top priorities for Catalina. The vacant bird sanctuary seems an ideal place for a specialty animal hospital/reserve or private school with architecture that fits in seamlessly to existing architecture. Love Avalon and Two Harbors. There seems space within the island to create longstanding affordable housing for workers who live on the island. And Long Beach Unified should offer relocation assistance to encourage teachers to live on the island.”
- Robbins Thompson wrote: “Housing here is a giant pain in the ass. I’ve lived and worked here for 7 years. But I live on a boat so I’m not considered a ‘resident’. That’s something needs to be addressed.”
- Steve Eddy wrote: “Affordable long term housing.”
- Erik Zemke wrote: “I’m curious to know what is going on with the measure H money and how close we are to a new hospital if we are ever gonna get one.”
- Ronda Jackson wrote: “Catalina needs to get More low income apartments.”
- Rob McCormick: “Wait, so now we all have to write the paper for you? Woooow. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, a good place to start would be to stop publishing people’s names in the sheriffs log. Not sure how anybody expects someone to turn their life around while they are being given a ‘Scarlett letter’ for their mistakes.
“No good comes from publishing people’s names, regardless of whether it’s public record or not. It only hurts that individual and promotes an alienating narrative that is really not necessary.”
- Amy Elizabeth, replying to Rob McCormick, wrote: “YES!!!”
- Wendy Hernandez, replying to Rob McCormick, wrote: WORD!!!! And that thing is written like they think they’re fricken comedians!!!! Like someone being in their darkest moment is funny ! And just a reminder all of those people have not been convicted of any crimes, so technically, they are innocent until proven guilty and should not be publicly shamed for people’s entertainment purposes!”
- Susanna Gutierrez, replying to Rob McCormick, wrote: “100,000% agree. Does the police station pay for that advertising can we just take the whole damn thing out if it’s on the tax payer dime? Whatever happened to people just listening to the scanner? … ”
Editor’s note: The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department does not pay the Islander to publish the Sheriff’s Log.
- Juan P. Bravo wrote: “Monopoly practices all over town.”
- Susanna Gutierrez wrote: “Lack of community engagement by the decision making powers that be. Preconceptions that islanders are stupid and poor and not worth time consulting and collaborating with. Mainlander nepotism. NON-TRANSPARENCY. Not a complete list but some examples:
“1) Deer and code revisions for hunting in city limits
“2) Affordable housing development
“3) Hospital rebuild
“4) Vacation Rentals
“5) marijuana
“6) street vending
“7) skate park/public facilities & infrastructure
“8. ACC
“9) Catalina express commuter book policy change
“Lots of things happening ‘to’ the community these days.”
- Makanaola Alexander wrote: “Since everyone already said housing (and pointed out vacay rentals) which I agree with, I’ll say rising insurance costs which drive up the price of housing.”
- Marina Gabriella B, replying to Makanaola Alexander, wrote: “And rising house prices drive up property taxes.”
- Dave Adams, in a private message, wrote: “What are the opportunities and challenges facing Catalina in 2025: Kids ride electric bikes that go faster than 30 mph and do not wear helmets and do not follow traffic laws. It is only a matter of time before they either seriously hurt or kill themselves and other people by running into people. These electric bikes are really dangerous here in Avalon and the Sheriffs do nothing about it.”
In an email, Avalon Sherriff’s Station Sgt. Grayson Kline wrote: “We are very proactive with electric bike enforcement. This includes all applicable vehicle code violations.”
Karen Shine wrote: “I’d teach in Avalon in a heartbeat with better housing opportunities.”
- Allan Sheridan wrote: “Need to construct affordable dorm type structures for teachers. Absolute necessity!!!”
