Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Could a temporary rent freeze change Santa Barbara’s housing future?

Be sure to catch Candlelight Christmas Eve Service at Live Oak UU Congregation on the Santa Barbara Patch calendar

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Good morning Santa Barbara! Your connection to what's happening around town is here. Take a sip of coffee and read on. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • Could a temporary rent freeze change Santa Barbara’s housing future?
  • Which Santa Barbara County schools get thousands more per student—and why?
  • Why UC Santa Barbara scientists say humidity may endanger future children

Also on today's calendar: Candlelight Christmas Eve Service at Live Oak UU Congregation.

Find out what's happening in Santa Barbarafor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: What did the windowsill say to the glass? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in Santa Barbarafor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Monday: Low clouds, then some sun, with a high of 66 and low of 55 degrees.
  • Tuesday: A shower and thunderstorm, temps: high: 64, low: 55.
  • Wednesday: Periods of rain, some heavy, with a high of 64 and low of 54 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Santa Barbara City Council Considers Pathway to Rent Stabilization (noozhawk.com) — Santa Barbara’s City Council has narrowly agreed to explore a temporary rent freeze in January while staff drafts a long-term rent stabilization ordinance that could take effect in 2027. Landlords and tenants packed the meeting, sharing sharply different views on how rising costs, maintenance needs, and housing insecurity are reshaping life in the city.
   

2. Funding Differences Create Significant Revenue Gaps Among Santa Barbara County Schools (noozhawk.com) — Santa Barbara County schools are facing stark funding gaps, with some property tax-rich districts receiving about $33,000 per student while others get closer to $21,000, shaping salaries, class offerings, and hiring. Local districts like Carpinteria and Goleta must juggle volatile tax revenues, while Santa Maria-Bonita depends heavily on state funding that can tighten in bad economic years. These differences directly affect class availability, staffing, and long-term stability for families across the county.
   

3. Hot, humid weather during pregnancy is more dangerous than heat alone (futurity.org) — New research led by UC Santa Barbara scientists finds that hot, humid conditions during pregnancy are far more harmful to child health than heat alone, a concern for coastal regions like ours. Using global climate and health data, the team shows humidity can dramatically increase stunting risks and is now expanding work to vulnerable groups, including California farmworkers.
   

4. Firefighters Free ‘Grilled' Owl Trapped in Orcutt Vehicle (noozhawk.com) — Santa Barbara County firefighters and Animal Control crews in Orcutt carefully cut apart a car’s front grill Sunday morning to rescue a live horned owl that had become wedged inside. The injured bird was transferred to the Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network and taken to Goleta for evaluation and possible treatment, highlighting how local crews sometimes aid wildlife as well as people.
   

5. Why Newsom's CARE Court Has Struggled to Help Homeless Californians Most in Need (independent.com) — A CalMatters deep dive, republished by the Santa Barbara Independent, explains why Gov. Newsom’s CARE Court has struggled to get homeless Californians with serious mental illness into stable housing, despite big promises. While focused on counties like Alameda, Los Angeles, and Marin, it’s framed for Santa Barbara County readers as the state refines programs that could shape local homelessness and mental health responses.
   

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    Wednesday December 24
  • Art From Scrap Closed for the Holidays
    Art From Scrap , 302 E Cota St. , Santa Barbara

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • I am looking for a few toys for a very needy family.
    They have a 3 year old boy who loves trucks, cars and dinosaurs. Does anyone have any gently used toys I could wrap up and drop off for Christmas? (Nextdoor East Mesa)
  • Hello East Mesa & surrounding areas.
    My cat has been wandering around your area for weeks now and I haven’t been able to track him down. He was staying with my friend Silas for a few… (Nextdoor East Mesa)
  • Santa Barbara County Education Office posted a job opening for Educational Interpreter, American Sign Language, Waiver or Certified in Santa Barbara. Apply here.
  • Extended Stay America, Inc. posted a job opening for Housekeeper Part Time-101020 in Santa Barbara. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Santa Barbara here.

Ok Santa Barbara! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I feel your pane.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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