It’s about Being heard

Recently, residents of the Capistrano Villas learned that the cost of their parking permits had increased. What used to be $25 was suddenly $100. On top of that, families would now be charged $75 just to reschedule a garage inspection.

For a working-class neighborhood already stretched thin, it felt like too much. It felt like another cost added to a system that still doesn’t meet the needs of the people who live here.

Parking has been a long-standing challenge in the Villas. Over the years, responsibility for managing it has shifted from the city, to property management companies , and now to a private security company. With each change, things have gotten more confusing, more expensive, and the real problem remains: there still isn’t enough overnight parking.

Residents showed up to their city hall meeting and asked questions. Together, they made it clear: these changes don’t make sense, and we deserve answers. Who made this decision? What’s behind the increase? What can be done?

The very next day, the management company sent out an email. The fee was corrected back to $25.

It might feel silly but this gives us hope. What’s growing in the Villas is more than just frustration. It’s awareness. It’s advocacy. It’s a community that is beginning to see its own strength. We are doing more than just reacting. We are organizing and we are learning how to protect what we love.


Miriam Zuniga 
Adult Program Director,                                      
Lead Facilitator - CLC