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Residents hold rally outside of Central Valley congressman’s fundraiser. Here’s why

The Modesto Bee | Julietta Bisharyan | May 06, 2024

Local residents and advocates called on Rep. John Duarte, R-Modesto, to support the Biden’s administration’s budget that would support lowering housing costs.

Central Valley constituents and advocacy groups rallied April 25 to demand that Duarte act to lower the high costs of housing impacting thousands of Californians.

Irene Kao, executive director of Courage California and Valley Families Unite, highlighted findings from their 2020 polling in California’s 13th Congressional District, which includes Modesto and Merced. According to the survey, housing affordability ranked as the second most significant concern, following issues related to jobs and the economy at No. 1.

“We’re really calling on [Duarte] to do the right thing, which is to vote for the budget and make housing more affordable for residents of the district,” Kao said.