YAIR GERSTENFor Mayor · Chula Vista 2026

Issues & Platform

Issues & Platform

Chula Vista should be a place where working families can afford to stay and build their future. Rising housing and childcare costs, combined with barriers to understanding and participating in city decisions, are making it easier for residents to fall behind. Yair will focus on practical solutions that increase supply, reduce costs, and make it easier for families to stay informed and involved, building a community that works for everyone.

1. Lower the Cost of Living

Reducing the cost of living requires both immediate action and long-term planning. That means increasing housing supply, supporting working families, and making sure city policies don't unintentionally drive up costs. When government works efficiently and predictably, residents and businesses both benefit.

Housing & Homeownership

Over the last 30 years, housing costs have increased dramatically, creating a gap between those who bought early and those trying to enter the market today. Expanding supply and removing unnecessary barriers is essential to restoring balance.

  • Expand ADU and JADU access with clear timelines, pricing, and investor connections
  • Empower homeowners, including those in restricted communities, to build responsibly
  • Support first-time homebuyer and homeowner assistance programs, and ensure people know they exist
  • Promote balanced solutions that support renters, homeowners, and responsible development

Smart Growth & Economic Opportunity

Growth is coming to Chula Vista. The question is whether we shape it in a way that reduces costs, improves mobility, and strengthens community. Smart planning can reduce traffic, lower transportation costs, and create more connected neighborhoods.

  • Focus new housing and mixed-use development near jobs and transit
  • Support local businesses that create jobs and strengthen the economy
  • Ensure development decisions are predictable, transparent, and community-informed
  • Promote public transportation to reduce congestion and cost of living
  • Improve public transportation to better compete with single-occupancy vehicles
  • Designate Third Avenue as an entertainment district

Affordable Childcare

Childcare should support families, not strain them. For many, it is the deciding factor in whether they can work, pursue education, or stay in Chula Vista long-term. Increasing supply, improving coordination, and reducing friction can make a meaningful difference.

  • Expand access through partnerships with local providers
  • Reduce barriers that limit availability and transparency
  • Help providers navigate grant funding and state licensing
  • Ensure families in every neighborhood have reliable options
  • Improve coordination to fill sudden childcare gaps

Responsible City Spending

Every dollar should be used in a way that delivers real value to residents. By improving processes, reducing redundancy, and focusing on data-driven outcomes, the city can stretch resources further while maintaining high-quality services.

  • Oppose unnecessary fee increases that impact working families
  • Prioritize efficient use of taxpayer dollars
  • Identify and eliminate wasteful or redundant spending
  • Improve internal processes to reduce delays and inefficiencies

2. Make Chula Vista Easy to Understand and Participate In

Chula Vista is a great city, but too often, residents don't know what's happening or how to get involved. The system works, but not always for those without the time or resources to navigate it. Government should be clear, accessible, and responsive to everyone.

Clear & Accessible Communication

Residents deserve clear, timely, and understandable information about what their city is doing and why. Communication should be proactive and designed to reach people where they are.

  • Provide plain-language explanations of city decisions and policies
  • Ensure information is available in multiple languages
  • Communicate proactively, not just when residents ask
  • Adopt a "no wrong door" approach for government services

Modern Tools & Smart Systems

Technology should make city services easier to use, not harder to understand. With the right tools, residents can stay informed, and staff can work more efficiently.

  • Modernize the ACT Chula Vista app with personalized, real-time updates
  • Develop simple dashboards for key city initiatives
  • Use technology to improve efficiency and reduce staff workload

Transparency & Accountability

Trust in government comes from clear, consistent communication and visible results. Residents should be able to easily understand how decisions are made and how resources are used.

  • Publish clear, easy-to-understand breakdowns of city spending
  • Communicate before, during, and after major decisions
  • Apply accountability standards across departments and contracts
  • Launch an optional Transparent Pricing Initiative so residents know costs upfront

Easier Civic Participation

Everyone should have a meaningful opportunity to be heard, not just those who have time to attend meetings. Expanding access to participation strengthens both decisions and community trust.

  • Make it simple to submit feedback and participate in decisions
  • Provide accessible meeting summaries for those who can’t attend
  • Create systems that allow residents to stay engaged, even with busy schedules

Out in the Community

From housing and transportation to neighborhood safety and city services, Yair is committed to listening to residents and working alongside community members, local businesses, and subject-matter experts to deliver real solutions for Chula Vista.

Yair Gersten at a community fitness space in Chula Vista

3. Make Sure No One Gets Left Behind

A stronger Chula Vista means making sure every resident has a path forward. That includes addressing homelessness, supporting health and well-being, investing in youth, and strengthening community support systems.

Addressing Homelessness with Real Solutions

No one should be forced to live unsheltered in a city like Chula Vista. Addressing homelessness requires both compassion and practicality, with solutions that are scalable and effective.

  • Expand lower-cost, high-capacity options like overnight shelters
  • Improve transitional housing pathways to long-term stability
  • Strengthen coordination with county and regional providers
  • Support outreach teams with the tools they need

Health & Community Well-Being

While many healthcare systems operate at the state and federal level, the city can play a role in improving access, coordination, and outcomes for residents.

  • Expand access to mental and behavioral health services
  • Support mobile health services in underserved areas
  • Advocate for better staffing to reduce wait times
  • Promote price transparency in healthcare
  • Support cross-border care coordination for our binational community

Supporting Youth, Education & Families

Strong communities are built by supporting the next generation. Even where the city is not the primary authority, it can play a meaningful role in strengthening outcomes for youth and families.

  • Partner with schools and community organizations to expand programs
  • Support teachers with classroom resource funding
  • Strengthen coordination between schools and childcare providers
  • Expand access to arts, enrichment, and after-school programs
  • Connect youth with mentorship and career pathways

Public Safety & First Responders

First responders are the backbone of public safety in Chula Vista. Supporting them ensures the entire community remains safe and prepared.

  • Support competitive compensation and retention
  • Invest in training, including mental health and de-escalation
  • Ensure adequate staffing and modern equipment
  • Provide health and wellness support for first responders

Parks & Public Spaces

Parks and public spaces shape daily life in every neighborhood. Equitable investment and consistent upkeep make sure these amenities serve everyone, not just the newest communities.

  • Invest equitably across all neighborhoods
  • Upgrade facilities and recreational spaces
  • Improve maintenance and accountability

Environmental Leadership - Tijuana River Valley

The Tijuana River Valley has endured decades of cross-border sewage overflow and environmental degradation that directly threaten the health of South Bay residents. Real progress requires sustained advocacy, federal and binational coordination, and accountability for polluters.

  • Advocate for federal and binational action
  • Push for cleanup and restoration
  • Hold polluters accountable
  • Protect public health

Community Safety & Prevention

Prevention and neighborhood engagement strengthen public safety well beyond traditional enforcement. Practical tools and programs help residents protect themselves and each other.

  • Expand prevention-based safety programs
  • Support neighborhood engagement initiatives
  • Provide tools to reduce risks like identity theft

Chula Vista is already a great city. The goal isn't to start over, it's to make it work better for everyone. By lowering costs, making it easier to understand and participate in your city, and ensuring no one gets left behind, we can build a stronger future for every resident.