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 [ POLITICS ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=396)

#  The Jake Levine Interview. Housing, Safety, and Gridlock, the Challenges Facing California’s 32nd District

Written by Mihran Kalaydjian.

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March 16 2026

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THE BOTTOM LINE - California’s 32nd Congressional District is approaching a pivotal moment. Across the San Fernando Valley, residents are grappling with rising housing costs, growing public safety concerns, worsening traffic congestion, and long-term questions about infrastructure and water resilience. For many voters, the question is becoming increasingly unavoidable: is the district ready for new leadership in Washington?

I recently sat down with congressional candidate Jake Levine for an interview on The Bottom Line, my public-affairs program published by CityWatch LA. During our conversation, Levine outlined his views on the major challenges facing the Valley from housing affordability and public safety to transportation, small-business growth, and the future of local communities.

Levine’s path toward public service began with personal tragedy. After the devastating Los Angeles fires destroyed his childhood home and the homes of several family members, he saw firsthand how difficult the recovery process could be for local residents.

Rather than stepping back, Levine stepped forward. Working alongside organizations such as the California Community Foundation and the SNAP Foundation, he helped launch a nonprofit initiative called Department of Angels, designed to help fire survivors organize resources and navigate the rebuilding process.

But the experience left him frustrated.

“What I saw was a failure of leadership,” Levine said. “Too many elected officials were absent or unprepared. Even a year later, some communities still don’t have a clear recovery plan.”

That experience, he says, convinced him that the Valley needs stronger representation in Congress.

In California, housing costs are roughly 57 percent higher than the national average, placing homeownership increasingly out of reach for middle-class families. Surveys show that nearly three-quarters of renters in Los Angeles have considered leaving the region because of rising housing costs.

Levine believes the federal government must play a larger role in expanding housing supply. One proposal he supports is the creation of a national housing development bank designed to accelerate the construction of affordable housing. He also supports modern building techniques—such as modular and prefabricated construction that can significantly reduce development costs and construction timelines.

At the same time, Levine argues that renters deserve greater financial relief.

“Homeowners receive tax deductions on mortgage payments,” he said. “Renters deserve similar relief. That’s why I support a federal renter’s tax credit.”

Public safety is another issue Levine says he hears about consistently from Valley residents. His approach focuses on both enforcement and prevention. Levine supports maintaining strong funding for law enforcement and fire services while also expanding mental-health treatment and diversion programs aimed at addressing the root causes of crime.

Los Angeles, he argues, faces a severe shortage of mental health resources.

“If someone needs a mental-health bed today, it can be nearly impossible to find one,” Levine said. Expanding treatment capacity, he believes, would help reduce both crime and homelessness while providing struggling individuals support before crises escalate.

Levine also addressed rising concerns about antisemitism. As a Jewish father raising a young son in the Valley, he says the issue is deeply personal.

“I worry about the world my son is growing up in,” he said. “We’ve seen troubling incidents of antisemitism in our communities.”

He supports stronger federal efforts to combat antisemitism through enhanced security funding, enforcement of hate-crime laws, and expanded protections for Jewish institutions and schools.

Levine’s economic outlook is also shaped by his experience in the private sector. Having worked at a startup technology company that grew into a major employer, he says he understands the critical role small businesses play in job creation and innovation. Nearly 95 percent of American businesses are small businesses, yet many entrepreneurs struggle to access capital.

To address this, Levine proposes expanding funding for Community Development Financial Institutions and increasing access to Small Business Administration loan programs, particularly for immigrant-owned and minority-owned businesses.

Few issues frustrate San Fernando Valley residents more than traffic congestion, and Levine points to the long-delayed Sepulveda Transit Corridor project as a symbol of government paralysis. The idea of a rail connection between the Valley and the Westside has existed for decades, yet construction has still not begun.

“Other countries have built thousands of miles of high-speed rail during that time,” Levine said. “The United States has to remember how to build again.”

Levine also believes California must prepare for environmental challenges ahead. Climate change is intensifying cycles of drought and heavy rainfall, placing increasing pressure on the state’s water systems. He supports expanding water recycling, stormwater capture, and watershed restoration, along with greater federal investment in resilient infrastructure.

Education remains another priority. Schools across communities such as Canoga Park, Northridge, and Chatsworth serve large populations of students from low-income families. Levine supports expanding Title I funding to help close achievement gaps and believes technology companies should contribute more resources to help schools adapt to the rapidly evolving digital landscape shaped by artificial intelligence.

Ultimately, Levine argues that one of the greatest challenges facing the country is the growing disconnect between citizens and their government.

“Community is like a muscle,” he said. “You can let it weaken, or you can strengthen it.”

*(**Mihran Kalaydjian** is a seasoned public affairs and government relations professional with more than twenty years of experience in legislative affairs, public policy, community relations, and strategic communications. A respected civic leader and education advocate, he has spearheaded numerous academic and community initiatives, shaping dialogue and driving reform in local and regional political forums. His career reflects a steadfast commitment to transparency, accountability, and public service across Los Angeles and beyond.)*

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