>>> THANKS FOR JOINING US FOR THIS LOOK OF THE BEST ORIGINAL REPORTING FROM KPBS NEWS THIS WEEK.

I MET HOFFMAN.

COMING UP, SAN DIEGO'S AMBULANCE WORKER SHORTAGE, THE NEW INCENTIVES MANAGERS HOPE WILL ATTRACT MORE FIRST RESPONDERS.

>>> BETTER AIR QUALITY IN BARRIO LOGAN, COMPLAINS ABOUT A FOUL ODOR AND HOW NEIGHBORS ARE NOT ABLE TO BREATHE EASIER.

>>> BUBBLES BACKLOG OF REPAIRS.

THE NEEDED WORK EXPERTS SAY IS NOW APPROACHING HALF $1 BILLION.

>>> FINALS WEEK HAS COME AND GONE AT UC SAN DIEGO, BUT THE WORK STOPPAGE THAT IS DISRUPTING THE ENTIRE UC SYSTEM HAS NOT.

MELISSA VISITED CAMPUS THIS WEEK.

SHE TALKS WITH STRIKING WORKERS AND STUDENTS ABOUT THE UNCERTAINTY THAT LIES AHEAD.

>> Reporter: IN THE FOURTH WEEK OF THE STRIKE AND THERE IS STILL NO DEAL FOR ACADEMIC STUDENT EMPLOYEES OR GRADUATE STUDENT RESEARCHERS AND NOW A PUBLISHED REPORT SAYS USE YOUR PROFESSORS ARE PLANNING TO WITHHOLD STUDENT GRADES IN SOLIDARITY WITH THE STRIKERS.

JOHN IS ONE OF THE STRIKERS.

HE SAID THE UC IS WEAPONIZING UNDERGRADUATES.

>> THEY COULD SOLVE THIS RAISE WITHHOLDING CRISIS THEY HAVE CREATED IN AN INSTANT BY OFFERING A GOOD CONTRACT AND BY ENDING THE STRIKE.

THE CHOOSE NOT TO DO IT BECAUSE THEY RECOGNIZE THAT IF THEY PUT UNDERGRADUATES IN CRISIS THAT MAKES US LOOK LIKE WE ARE THE BAD GUYS, WHEN THEY ARE IN FACT THE ONES CREATED THIS CRISIS THEY ARE USING TO MAKE SURE WE DON'T GET PAID WHAT WE DESERVE.

>> Reporter: UNDERGRADUATE JADEN WOOD SAYS SHE IS NOT WORRIED ABOUT GRADES.

>> SCHOLARSHIPS, FINANCIAL AID, IT'S NOT GOING TO AFFECT UNDERGRADS SIGNING UP HER BEING ELIGIBLE FOR THOSE THINGS BECAUSE IT'S SIMPLY GOING TO BE A BLANK GRADE.

IT'S NOT GOING TO AFFECT HER GPA.

>> THE BIGGEST WAY GRADE WITHHOLDING EFFECT UNDERGRADUATES AS IF THEIR TEACHERS GET A LIVING WAGE AS A RESULT OF THIS.

>> Reporter: THE UC SAYS IT HAS MADE AN OFFER FOR MORE MONEY AND BETTER BENEFITS AND IT HAS ALREADY MADE A DEAL WITH TWO UNITS OF ACADEMIC WORKERS.

WOOD SAID SHE HOPES FOR A DEAL THAT WILL SET A PRECEDENT FOR OTHER UNIVERSITIES.

>> IF WE CAN MAKE THIS CHANGE HAPPEN, THAT CAN AFFECT SO MANY OTHER PEOPLE AND GRAD STUDENTS.

>> Reporter: THE FALL QUARTER ENDS ON SATURDAY.

>>> THIS WEEK BROUGHT ANOTHER REMINDER ABOUT DISPARITIES WHEN IT COMES TO RACE AND GENDER.

CITY OF TORONTO HAS MORE ON THE MESSAGE AND ACTIONS BEHIND LATINA EQUAL PAYDAY.

>> Reporter: LATINA EQUAL PAY DATE IS THE SYMBOLIC DAY MARKING THE ADDITIONAL TIME A LATINA NEEDS TO WORK TO EARN THE SAME ANNUAL SALARY AS HER WHITE MALE COUNTERPART.

LOCAL LEADERS STOOD IN FRONT OF THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATION BUILDING TO SAY ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.

>> THERE IS NO ECONOMY WITHOUT LATINAS.

WE ARE THE ESSENTIAL WORKERS.

WE ARE CHILDCARE PROVIDERS, BUSINESS OWNERS, SUPERVISORS, AND WE ARE NOT GOING ANYWHERE.

>> Reporter: COUNTY SUPERVISOR AND VICE CHAIR NORA SAID [INDISCERNIBLE] HAS A RESPONSIBILITY TO CREATE CHANGE IN EVERYONE MUST DEMAND EMPLOYERS CREATE EQUAL OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL.

>> BASED ON THE CURRENT PROGRESS WE WOULD NOT REACH EQUAL PAY UNTIL 2220.

>> Reporter: TWO YEARS OR 730 DAYS IS HOW MUCH LONGER OF IT LATINA WHO WORKS FULL TIME HAS TO WORK TO MAKE AS MUCH MONEY AS A WHITE MALE WORKER.

THAT MEANS A LATINA MAKES $0.57 FOR EVERY DOLLAR WHITEMAN MACON THIS ADDS UP.

DURING A CAREER IT ADDS UP TO OVER $1 MILLION.

>> MEN HAVE A ROLE TO PLAY IN ADDRESSING THIS ISSUE.

>> Reporter: THE MAYOR NOT ONLY PLEDGED TO MAKE THE CITY'S WORKFORCE MORE EQUITABLE, HE CHALLENGED EVERY EMPLOYER IN SAN DIEGO TO DO THE SAME.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO CHALLENGE ALL THE ALLIES HERE TODAY AND ALL THE EMPLOYERS IN THIS GREAT CITY TO DO WITH THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO IS DOING.

LOOK INSIDE THE ORGANIZATION TO UNDERSTAND HOW THE NATIONAL PAY DISPARITY IS AFFECTING YOUR EMPLOYEES, AND PLEDGED TO TAKE ACTION WITHIN YOUR OWN ORGANIZATION TO MODEL THE BEHAVIOR THAT WE MUST MODEL IF WE ARE GOING TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE AND PUT IT TO BED.

>>> FACING STAFFING SHORTAGES, THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO AMBULANCE PROVIDER IS OFFERING SIGNING BONUSES.

I RECENTLY SPOKE WITH ONE OF THE COMPANIES EXECUTIVES ABOUT THIS NEW INCENTIVE AND WHAT IS BECOMING A BUSY TIME FOR HOSPITALS.

>> OUR GOAL IS TO TRY TO FILL ALL OF THE OPENINGS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

WE HAVE BEEN DOING THAT EVER SINCE WE STARTED.

>> MANAGING DIRECTOR JEFF BAINES SAYS HE KNOWS STAFFING LEVELS ARE NOT WHAT WERE PROMISED.

IT IS IMPACTING RESPONSE TIMES, SO THEY ARE RAISING THEIR GAME TO ATTRACT NEW PARAMEDICS IN THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO.

>> THERE IS A LIMITED POOL, ESPECIALLY IN THE IMMEDIATE AREA AROUND SAN DIEGO, SO WE NEED TO INCREASE THAT TO TRY TO GET FOLKS TO CONSIDER COMING OVER TO SOUTH.

>> $50,000 SIGN-ON BONUSES ARE BEING OFFERED FOR NEW PARAMEDICS.

IT WOULD BE SPREAD OUT OVER THREE YEARS AND IS LARGER THAN THE $15,000 BONUSES OFFERED BY THEIR COMPETITOR, AMERICAN MEDICAL RESPONSE.

>> I COMMEND THEM FOR UPPING THEIR RECRUITMENT AND TRYING TO BRING ON NEW PERSONNEL.

IT MIGHT BE A LITTLE LATE.

WE WISH THIS PROBABLY WOULD HAVE HAPPENED BEFORE.

>> AS AND JAEGER FILED FIRE RESCUE CHIEF SAYS ATTRACTING NEW EMPLOYEES MIGHT TAKE SOME TIME.

>> THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO BRING ON THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE THEY NEED AND THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO HOLD ONTO THE EMPLOYERS.

SOMETHING'S GOT TO AND CHANGE INTERNALLY.

>> THE PRESIDENT OF THE SAN DIEGO ASSOCIATION OF PREHOSPITAL PROFESSIONALS SHARES THE FIRE CHIEFS CONCERNS.

>> TO THE POINT THAT IT MAY BE BRINGS IN MORE PEOPLE, WE FEEL THAT AS POSSIBLE.

ANY SIGNING BONUS WILL DO THAT.

UNFORTUNATELY, IT ONLY ADDRESSES A HANDFUL OF NEW HIRE PARAMEDICS THEY BRING IN AND IT DOES NOTHING TO ADDRESS THE NONCOMPETITIVE BASE PAY ISSUES PREVENTING THEM FROM RETAINING PARAMEDICS IN THE WORKFORCE AND THAT NUMBER OF DEFICIT PARAMEDICS HAS ONLY GROWN.

>> THE ASSOCIATION IS IN THE MIDDLE OF NEGOTIATING A NEW CONTRACT.

THEY HOPE TO DO SOMETHING FOR CURRENT EMPLOYEES.

>> WE ARE IN THOSE DISCUSSIONS TO SEE WHAT CAN WE DO.

>> SINCE FALK FULLY TOOK OVER SAN DIEGO'S PARAMEDICS THEY HAVE NOT MET THEIR STAFFING GOALS.

THE FIRE CHIEF IS SKEPTICAL THAT THINGS WILL TURN AROUND SOON.

HE IS STILL PLANNING TO PRESENT OPTIONS TO CITY COUNCILMEMBERS NEXT MONTH ABOUT WHAT TO DO IN THE MEANTIME.

>> WE ARE REALLY NOT GETTING WHAT WE HAD BEEN PROMISED A YEAR INTO THE CONTRACT AND WE ARE LOOKING AT AVENUES AS TO HOW WE CAN INCREASE SERVICE LEVELS, THE AMBULANCE HOURS ON THE STREET AND GET TO A MORE LONG-TERM, SUSTAINABLE PROGRAM.

>> THE ASSOCIATION REPRESENTING FALK EMPLOYEES SAYS 50 PARAMEDICS HAVE LEFT IN THE LAST YEAR AND MORE COULD BE ON THEIR WAY OUT.

THERE'S ALSO A $10,000 SIGNING BONUS BEING OFFERED TO EMPLOYEES WHO REFER NEW FULL- TIME PARAMEDICS THAT WOULD BE PAID OUT OVER THE COURSE OF A YEAR.

>>> THOSE WHO LIVE IN SAN DIEGO'S BARRIO LOGAN HAVE DEALT WITH ALL SORTS OF AIR QUALITY PROGRAMS.

MOST RECENTLY IT CAME FROM A BIO FIELD PLANT PUTTING OUT A SMELL SO BAD THAT IT FORCED NEIGHBORS TO STAY INDOORS.

AARON ANDERSON TELLS US THE SITUATION THERE IS IMPROVING.

>> Reporter: THE SITUATION OUTSIDE OF THE FACTORY IS MARKEDLY BETTER SINCE A FILTRATION SYSTEM WAS ACTIVATED INSIDE THE NEW LEAF BIOFUEL PLANT.

>> WE ARE VERY THANKFUL.

THAT WAY WE CAN COME OUT ON THE PATIO, DO OUR PLANTS ARE TAKES ON.

>> Reporter: THAT WAS NOT POSSIBLE FOR THE LAST YEAR BECAUSE OF A STIFLING SMELL FROM THE FACTORY LOCATED JUST ACROSS THE STREET.

NEW LEAF BIOFUEL INSTALL THE $250,000 BY A FILTRATION SYSTEM DESIGNED TO CONTAIN UP PUNGENT OIL COMING FROM ITS COOKING OIL PROCESSING FACILITY.

THE COMPANY TURNS THAT OIL TO FUEL, BUT THE PROCESS IS SMELLY.

THE COMPANY HAS BEEN WORKING WITH AIR-QUALITY OFFICIALS TO CONTAIN THE OUTER, AND THEY THINK THIS WILL WORK.

>> THIS IS RELIEF FROM THE SMELL THEY WERE GETTING, AND WILL ALLOW THEM TO LIVE THERE LIVES WITHOUT INTERRUPTION.

>> Reporter: NEIGHBORHOOD ADVOCATES ARE CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC THAT THE ACTIVATED CARBON SYSTEM WILL KEEP THE SMELL FROM IRRITATING PEOPLE WHO LIVE THERE.

>> WE HAVE THIS ODOR CONTROL SYSTEM INSTALLED AND IT IS A HUGE STEP FOR THE NEIGHBORHOOD BUT OUR WORK HERE IS NOT DONE.

WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO EVALUATE AND MONITOR HOW EFFECTIVE THE SYSTEM IS.

>> Reporter: AIR POLLUTION CONTROL OFFICIALS WILL MONITOR THE SITUATION.

THEY WILL GATHER EARLY NEXT YEAR TO SEE IF THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN FIXED.

KPBS NEWS.

>>> AT THE SALK INSTITUTE THERE IS ONE SCIENTIST ABLE TO SEE HIMSELF IN HIS RESEARCH.

THIS STORY IS ABOUT A BIOLOGIST WHOSE OWN EXPERIENCE HAS GIVEN THEM A DEEP UNDERSTANDING OF THE SCIENCE AND THE CULTURE OF DEAFNESS.

>> Reporter: COREY MANOR DOES MORE THAN ONE THING.

ON ONE HAND HE IS A SPECIALIST IN MICROSCOPIC PHOTOGRAPHY.

RECENTLY HE SHOT ME A HOLY DURING HIS OFFICE THAT IS LINED WITH PHOTOS OF CELLS.

ONE PHOTO SHOWS SO CALLED HAIR CELLS THAT INHABIT THE INNER EAR AND VIBRATE TO SOUND, SENDING PROBLEMS TO THE INNER EAR.

PROBLEMS WITH THOSE CELLS CAN CAUSE DEAFNESS.

>> YOU CAN IMAGINE THAT IF JUST A LITTLE MISTAKE OR A LITTLE ALTERATION IN THE INSTRUCTIONS, THE DNA, ON HOW TO CONSTRUCT THAT HAIR CAN CAUSE IT TO HAVE A DIFFERENT ENOUGH SHAPE THAT IT NO LONGER FUNCTIONS PROPERLY.

>> Reporter: HE HAS BEEN PROFOUNDLY HARD OF HEARING SINCE BIRTH.

HE HAS NEVER BEEN ABLE TO HEAR PROPERLY WITHOUT HEARING AIDS, SOMETHING HIS PARENTS REALIZED WHAT HE WAS TWO YEARS OLD AND STILL COULD NOT TALK, AND THOUGH HE IS NOT DEATH, HE KNOWS WHAT IT IS LIKE.

>> IS SOMEONE WHO WEARS HEARING AIDS I GO BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN THE TWO WORLDS OF DEAF AND HEARING, BECAUSE WHEN I TURN MY HEARING AIDS OFF IT IS OVER.

I DON'T HEAR YOU ANYMORE, SO I KIND OF KNOW WHAT THAT'S LIKE.

>> Reporter: DEAFNESS AND BEING HARD OF HEARING TAKES MANY FORMS.

WE ALL LOSE HEARING WITH AGE, LOUD MUSIC AND ARE NOISY MECHANIC SOCIETY ALSO DAMAGES HEARING.

THE GENES FOR PROFOUND CONGENITAL HEARING LOSS, ONE MEMBER OF THE LAB LOST HIS HEARING IN ONE EAR.

>> I WAS SITTING FOR A PHYSICS EXAM AND HEARD THIS VERY LOUD RINGING.

TURNS OUT THAT THE RINGING WAS COMING FROM MY HEAD, FROM MY EAR AND IT WAS THE FIRST SYMPTOM I HAD OF THE VESTIBULAR SCHWANN OMA.

>> Reporter: MEANING AT TUMOR HAD DEVELOPED ON HIS AUDITORY NERVE.

IT WAS SURGICALLY MADE REMOVED BUT BY THEN HE HAD BASICALLY LOST HEARING IN HIS RIGHT EAR.

HE REMEMBERS TALKING WITH THE SURGEON AFTER THE TUMOR WAS REMOVED.

THE DOCTOR RUSTLED HIS FINGERS NEXT TO THE DAMAGED EAR.

>> I THINK OF THE TIME I HAD SOME RESIDUAL HEARING BUT IT WAS NOT THE SAME ON BOTH SIDES SO WHEN HE DID THAT TEST AND I WAS LIKE YEAH, I CAN HEAR IT A LITTLE BIT, HE SAID GOOD, AND THEN HE WALKED AWAY.

AND SO, THAT KIND OF LEFT THIS IMPRESSION ON ME THAT LIKE OH, I'M FINE.

BUT THE REALITY IS, I WAS NOT FINE.

>> Reporter: ROSENBERG AND MANOR ARE NOW WRITING A GRANT PROPOSAL TO FUND RESEARCH THAT COULD FIND A WAY TO PREVENT THE GROWTH OR EVEN SHRINK THOSE TUMORS BY IMPLANTING IN PEOPLE, A WORKING COPY OF A CRUCIAL GENE.

A VIDEO PRODUCED BY THE MAYO CLINIC SHOWS A WOMAN HOLDING HER DEAF BABY WHO HAS HAD ITS COCHLEAR IMPLANT TURNED ON FOR THE FIRST TIME, ALLOWING HER TO HEAR HER PARENT'S VOICE.

THE BABY SMILES.

MANOR, THE FATHER OF FOUR KIDS, SAID SEEING A SIMILAR VIDEO CAUSED HIM TO BREAK DOWN IN TEARS.

BUT, HE SAYS SOME REACTIONS TO IT ON SOCIAL MEDIA WERE VERY NEGATIVE, INCLUDING ONE THAT CALLED IT CULTURAL GENOCIDE.

THAT IS A COMMON TERM THAT SUGGESTS EFFORTS TO CURE DEAFNESS ARE UNDERMINING THE COMMUNITY THAT HAS ITS OWN LANGUAGE AND WAYS.

THE CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION FOR THE DEAF DID NOT RESPOND TO MY EFFORT TO GET THEM TO COMMENT.

MANOR SAYS FOR DEAF PEOPLE, SIGN LANGUAGE, THE CULTURE AND THE DEAF COMMUNITY -- >> FOR MANY OF THEM IT HAS BEEN A LIFESAVER.

MANY DEAF PEOPLE DON'T KNOW OTHER DEAF PEOPLE UNTIL THEY BECOME ADULTS AND JOIN THE DEAF COMMUNITY THAN THEY HAVE THIS WHOLE WORLD OF LANGUAGE AND COMMUNICATION IN A COMMUNITY THAT UNDERSTANDS THEM, AND MANY OF THEM FEEL THAT THIS IDEA OF CURING OR TREATING OR WHATEVER FOR EVEN CALLING THEM DISABLED IS OFFENSIVE.

>> Reporter: MANOR SAYS HE HAS BECOME CAREFUL TO SAY HE IS NOT TRYING TO CURE DEAFNESS.

HE IS TRYING TO GIVE PEOPLE THE OPTION OF BEING ABLE TO HEAR.

BABIES THESE DAYS DO NOT HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL THEY ARE TWO FOR THEIR PARENTS TO REALIZE THEY ARE FUNCTIONALLY DEAF.

NOW, TESTS ARE DONE ON NEWBORNS.

>> I HAVE PICTURES OF MY DAUGHTERS IN THE HOSPITAL WEARING SPECIAL HEADPHONES THAT CAN MEASURE WHETHER THEIR EARS ARE WORKING PROPERLY.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS THE GENE MUTATIONS THAT CAUSE DEAFNESS ARE RECESSIVE, WHICH MEANS KIDS HAVE TO GET THEM FROM BOTH OF THEIR PARENTS TO BE AFFECTED.

MANOR SAYS NONE OF HIS KIDS ARE HARD OF HEARING.

THOMAS FUDGE, KB PS NEWS.

>>> THAT STORY AND ALL OF OUR K PBS FEATURES CAN BE STREAMED ANY TIME ON THE KPBS YOUTUBE PAGE.

THAT IS ALSO WHERE WE LIVE STREAM EVENING EDITION WEEKNIGHTS AT 5:00 P.M.

HERE ARE SOME OF THE MOST READ STORIES THIS WEEK AT KPBS.ORG.

NO CHARGES IN ACCUSATIONS AGAINST FORMER SDSU FOOTBALL PLAYERS.

SEE WHY PROSECUTORS MADE THAT DECISION OR THAN A YEAR AFTER THE INCIDENT.

BALBOA PARK IS IN NEED OF REPAIRS ESTIMATED AT HALF $1 BILLION >>> NEW LIFE FOR SAN DIEGO'S TROLLEYS.

WILL HAVE THOSE STORIES COMING UP LATER IN THE NEWSCAST.

>>> ZILLOW SAYS THE AVERAGE PRICE FOR A HOME IN ESCONDIDO IS $800,000, SO IT IS NOT SURPRISING THAT HUNDREDS OF FAMILIES SIGNED UP FOR A CHANCE AT GETTING ONE COSTING LESS THAN HALF OF THAT.

KPBS NORTH COUNTY REPORTER TONYA THORNE TOLD US OUT OF THOSE HUNDREDS, ONLY 10 WILL GET A NEW SET OF KEYS.

>> Reporter: SAN DIEGO HABITAT FOR HUMANITY IS BUILDING 10 HOMES OFF L NORTE PARKWAY IN ESCONDIDO.

>> WHAT WE'RE SEEING HERE ARE THE FOUNDATIONS FOR WHAT THEY'RE GOING TO BE 10 AFFORDABLE OWNERSHIP HOMES.

>> Reporter: THIS IS THE PRESIDENT FOR SAN DIEGO HABITAT FOR HUMANITY.

THE HOMES ARE THREE BEDROOM 2 1/2 BATH DUPLEXES.

>> AS WITH ALL HABITAT PRODUCTS, THESE HOMES ARE GOING TO BE PRICED TO BE AFFORDABLE FOR FAMILIES THAT MAKE 80% OF THE AREA MEDIAN INCOME, SO FOR A FAMILY OF FOUR, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT A FAMILY THAT MAKES $92,000.

>> WITH A PRICE TAG OF APPROXIMATELY $300,000 EACH, THERE IS HUGE DEMAND.

>> WE HAD 270 FOUR, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT A FAMILY THAT MAKES $92,000.

>> WITH A PRICE TAG OF APPROXIMATELY $300,000 EACH, THERE IS HUGE DEMAND.

>> WE HAD 270,000 APPLICANTS APPLY FOR THOSE 10 SPOTS.

IT IS TOUGH BECAUSE THE MEDIAN PRICE FOR A HOME IN SAN DIEGO IS 800,000+ DOLLARS.

SO FOR FAMILIES TRYING TO MAKE THAT LEAP INTO HOMEOWNERSHIP IT CAN BE REALLY TOUGH.

>> NOW THESE FAMILIES ARE LIVING WITH THEIR PARENTS IN MULTIGENERATIONAL HOMES WAITING TO BE ABLE TO BUY SOMETHING AFFORDABLE AND SAVING THAT MONEY BUT THEY JUST CANNOT ENTER THAT MARKET YET, AND SO THIS IS REALLY GOING TO PROVIDE AN AMAZING OPPORTUNITY FOR FAMILIES HERE IN ESCONDIDO.

>> Reporter: MARTINA SAYS THE OPPORTUNITY COMES THAT SHE SEES GENTRIFICATION HAPPENING IN PUSHING RESIDENTS OUT OF THE CITY.

>> I NOTICE A LOT OF THE OLDER HOMES ARE BEING PURCHASED BY INVESTORS, THEY ARE BEING GUTTED AND REMODELED IN SORT OF A REALLY EXORBITANT PRICE.

IT IS REALLY PRICING OUT A LOT OF FOLKS, THOUGH FOR ME, I DON'T WANT MY RESIDENTS TO BE DISPLACED.

>> Reporter: ALTHOUGH 10 AFFORDABLE HOMES IS A SMALL FEET, MARTINA SAYS IT IS A START IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION OF HAVING MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN ESCONDIDO, I HOPE FOR MANY FAMILIES.

>> I IMMEDIATELY STARTED TALKING TO MY FAMILIES AND LETTING THEM KNOW THIS IS HAPPENING, YOU SHOULD APPLY.

BECAUSE I KNOW THE NEED.

I KNOW THE NEED IN THIS COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: AS SHE WAS PROMOTING THE APPLICATION, MEYER REALIZED SHE ALSO HAD THE NEED FOR AN OPPORTUNITY LIKE THIS.

>> WHEN I STARTED LOOKING AT THE REQUIREMENTS I BEGAN TO THINK OF MYSELF, TOO.

I AM IN THAT SITUATION, SO I DID GO THROUGH THE APPLICATION PROCESS.

>> Reporter: SHE IS CURRENTLY RENTING A ROOM AND DOES NOT HAVE THE SPACE FOR CHILDREN.

IF SHE IS SELECTED, SHE SAYS IT WOULD CHANGE EVERYTHING.

>> IT WOULD BE BEAUTIFUL TO HAVE MY CHILDREN BACK WITH ME LIVING, AND YOU KNOW, IT IS SOMETHING I AM HOPING FOR.

>> Reporter: HABITAT FOR HUMANITY WILL BE VIEWING APPLICATIONS AND HOPES TO HAVE THE FAMILY SELECTED BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR.

>> FOR US THAT MEANS WE GET TO PICK 10 EXTREMELY HARD-WORKING QUALIFIED FAMILIES BUT IT BREAKS OUR HEART THAT WE HAD TO SAY NO TO SOME 260+ OTHERWISE REALLY QUALIFIED FAMILIES WHO ALSO DESERVE THE STREAM OF HOME OWNERSHIP.

>> Reporter: FAMILIES MUST BE IN NEED OF IMPROVED HOUSING, WILLING TO PARTICIPATE IN THE BUILDING OF THE HOME, AND HAVE A STABLE INCOME IN ORDER TO QUALIFY.

THE CITY OF ESCONDIDO AND THE STATE EACH CONTRIBUTED $1 MILLION FOR THE PROJECT.

READ SAYS IT IS THOSE PARTNERSHIPS, DONORS, AND VOLUNTEERS THAT MAKE THE MISSION POSSIBLE.

>> WE HAVE COSTS FOR OUR DEVELOPMENT AS HIGH AS MARKET RATE, BUT THEY ARE PRETTY CLOSE, THE DIFFERENCE FOR US AS WE ARE PASSING THOSE COSTS ALONG TO OUR HOMEBUYERS.

WE ARE WORKING WITH PARTNERS TO HELP MAKE IT AFFORDABLE SO THAT OTHER PEOPLE CAN GET THAT DREAM OF HOMEOWNERSHIP WITHOUT HAVING TO PAY EIGHT OR $900,000 FOR THE HOUSE.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS MORTGAGES WILL NOT EXCEED 30% OF THEIR FAMILIES GROSS INCOME AND THAT AFFORDABILITY ALLOWS FAMILIES TO BE HEALTHIER, KIDS THRIVE IN SCHOOL AND CAN BE A RESOURCE FOR THE FUTURE.

KPBS NEWS.

>> THOSE WHO RENT HAVE RECEIVED SOME PROTECTIONS DURING THE PANDEMIC BUT THOSE ARE NOW GONE.

KPBS REPORTER JACOB AIR TELLS US ABOUT A NEW PROPOSAL TO HELP PEOPLE WHO STRUGGLE WITH THE COST OF LIVING.

>> Reporter: THE PROPOSED FRAMEWORK FOR THE UPDATED TENANT ORGANISTS WOULD OFFER FURTHER SUPPORT AND RESOURCES FOR BOTH RENTERS AND THE LAND LANDLORDS.

IT INCORPORATES RESEARCH FROM GROUPS AND ADVOCATES.

>> THIS FRAMEWORK WILL HELP US TAKE THE NECESSARY STEPS TO HELP HER BUT RENTERS FROM WRONGFUL TERMINATION AND PREVENT PEOPLE FROM FALLING INTO HOMELESSNESS.

>> HE SAID IT WOULD UPDATE THE CITY'S CURRENT RIGHT TO KNOW ORDINANCE.

>> CONFIRMATION OF VARIOUS DEFINITIONS SUCH AS NO-FAULT, THE OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE RENTERS THE OPPORTUNITY TO REDRESS WRONGFUL TERMINATION.

>> IN SOME AREAS THE PLAN GOES BEYOND WHAT SOME AREAS REQUIRE.

>> WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE ARE CLOSING THE BIG LOOPHOLE LIKE VICTIMS OF REMODELING OR REMOVING THE PROPERTY FROM THE RENTAL MARKET.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THERE IS ACCOUNTABILITY.

>> Reporter: THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA RENTAL HOUSING ASSOCIATION SAYS IT IS LOOKING FOR AN APPROACH THAT IS FAIR TO LANDLORDS, AS WELL.

IN A STATEMENT, THE ASSOCIATION'S PRESIDENT SAID WITH A BALANCED APPROACH, WE WILL CONTINUE TO SUPPORT MORE SAN DIEGO IT'S BEING HOUSED WHILE ALSO PREVENTING UNINTENDED NEGATIVE IMPACTS TO THE LOCAL HOUSING MARKET.

A DRAFT TO THE ORDINANCES UNDERWAY.

IT IS ANTICIPATED TO GO BEFORE THE CITY COUNCIL IN EARLY 2023.

>>> AT MORE THAN 150 YEARS OLD, SAN DIEGO'S BALBOA PARK IS STARTING TO SHOW SOME OF ITS AGE AS JOHN CARROLL REPORTS.

OVERDUE REPAIRS AND INNOVATIONS ARE ADDING UP IN A BIG WAY.

>> Reporter: ELBOW A PARK IS KNOWN AS THE CROWN JEWEL OF SAN DIEGO FOR GOOD REASON, BUT A NEW REPORT SAYS THE JEWEL IS LOSING AT WORCESTER.

THAT REPORT FROM THE BURNHAM CENTER FOR COMMUNITY ADVANCEMENT HAS SOME SUGGESTIONS FOR HOW TO PRESERVE IT.

>> WE HELP CULTIVATE GOOD IDEAS, CREATE GOOD IDEAS AND THEN ORGANIZE AROUND THOSE GOOD IDEAS TO BRING THEM TO LIFE.

>> Reporter: THE BURNHAM CENTER TOOK SEVERAL DECADES WORTH OF REPORTS ON THE PARK AND SYNTHESIZE THEM, ADDING THEIR OWN IDEAS ON HOW TO MAKE IT SUSTAINABLE FOR GENERATIONS TO COME, IDEAS THAT COME WITH A HEFTY PRICE TAG.

THE CENTER SAYS NEARLY HALF $1 BILLION IS NEEDED, A BIG COMPONENT OF THE REPORT IS HOW BALBOA PARK SHOULD BE MANAGED.

>> THE SYSTEMS THAT DRIVE THE PARKER DECADES-OLD, AND OUR COMMUNITY IS DIFFERENT.

THE PARK IS DIFFERENT.

THE NEEDS ARE DIFFERENT, THE INFRASTRUCTURE IS AGING AND WHAT WE BUILT DECADES AGO TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY AND MAINTAIN THE PARK, WE HAVE JUST OUTGROWN IT.

>> Reporter: WALKING AROUND BALBOA PARK, IT IS UNDERSTANDABLE TO WONDER WHAT NEEDS NEARLY A HALF BILLION DOLLARS WORTH OF FIXING.

THE REPORT LISTS SEVEN PRIORITIES INCLUDING A REVENUE MEASURE FOR DEFERRED INCIDENTS.

THERE IS A LOT OF THAT, COMMITMENTS TO DO BIG-TIME FUNDRAISING, CREATING A PROPERTY AND BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT AND A DEPARTMENT WITHIN THE CITY TO OVERSEE THE PARK.

SOME LONG-OVERDUE WORK IS UNDERWAY NOW.

FOR INSTANCE, THE BOTANICAL BUILDING, WHICH IS GETTING A COMPLETE MAKEOVER, THAT OTHER BIG CHALLENGES REMAIN.

NEW DRAINAGE SYSTEMS ARE NEEDED , AND THERE NEEDS TO BE MORE BATHROOMS.

THE EXISTING ONES NEED UPDATING.

THERE IS SO MUCH TO DO AND PARSONS IS NO TIME TO WASTE.

>> IT IS REALLY TOO IMPORTANT TO FAIL.

WE HAVE GOT TO COME TOGETHER AS A COMMUNITY, FIND SOLUTIONS, AND MAKE THEM HAPPEN.

>> Reporter: THIS REPORT MAKES THE VISION CLEAR, A COMMUNITY WORKING TO MAKE SURE THE JEWEL OF SAN DIEGO STAYS AT THE TOP OF THE CROWN.

>>> DOZENS OF OLD SAN DIEGO TROLLEYS ARE GETTING A NEW LIFE IN SOUTH AMERICA.

I RECENTLY HAD A CHANCE TO GO TO MDS'S TRAIN YARD TO SEE HOW THESE NEW TROLLEYS WILL HELP PEOPLE THERE.

>> THERE'S GOING TO BE MILLIONS OF FOLKS IN ARGENTINA THAT WILL NOT HAVE ACCESS TO TRANSPORTATION IN A WAY THAT THEY WOULD NOT HAVE BEFORE.

>> OVER THE LAST DECADE, THE METROPOLITAN TRANSIT SYSTEM HAS BEEN SENDING OLD TROLLEY CARS TO ARGENTINA, STARTING WITH FIRST GENERATION TROLLEYS FROM THE 1980s AND NOW NEARLY ALL OF THE SECOND GENERATION TROLLEYS ARE ON THEIR WAY TO BE REPURPOSED.

[ SPEAKING NON-ENGLISH ] >> THE SECRETARY OF PUBLIC SERVICES IN MENDOZA, ARGENTINA SAYS FIRST GENERATION TROLLEYS ARE STILL RUNNING GREAT.

THEY ARE GETTING AN ADDITIONAL 39 MDs TROLLEY CARS, WHICH ALLOWS THEM TO GROW THEIR TRANSIT SYSTEM.

MDs THE SECOND GENERATION TROLLEYS ROLLED OUT IN THE MID- 90s.

THEY WERE THE SYSTEMS FOR STRAINS WITH ONBOARD COMPUTERS, AND EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE MILLIONS OF MILES ON THEM, THEY CAN STILL RUN FOR YEARS TO COME.

IF THEY WERE NOT GIVEN AWAY, OFFICIALS SAY THEY WOULD BE FORCED TO SCRAP THEM >> AND THAT IS A COST TO THE AGENCY, NOT TO MENTION ENVIRONMENTALLY.

YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE SOMETHING THAT CAN SERVE A USEFUL PURPOSE INTO A LANDFILL.

>> CEO SHARON COONEY SAYS SOME OF THE SECOND GENERATION TROLLEYS ARE ALREADY IN SERVICE IN ARGENTINA.

YOU CAN TELL WHICH GENERATION A TROLLEY IS BY AT THE NUMBER ON IT.

THE 5000 SERIES ARE THE NEWEST OF FIFTH-GENERATION MODELS, WHICH ARE MORE ACCESSIBLE TO PASSENGERS.

>> WE MADE A CONSCIOUS DECISION TO BECOME MORE ACCESSIBLE TO PEOPLE BY GOING LOW FLOOR, WHICH MEANS PEOPLE CAN ROLL THEIR WHEELCHAIRS ONTO THE VEHICLES, THEY CAN BRING THEIR STROLLERS -- >> Reporter: SOME SECOND GENERATION TROLLEYS WILL STILL OPERATE IN SAN DIEGO FOR THE NEXT YEAR OR SO.

THE MAJORITY OF THEM WILL EVENTUALLY END UP IN MENDOZA BUT THERE ARE TALKS TO KEEP SOME OF THEM IN TOWN.

>> WE ARE IN A CONVERSATION WITH SOMEONE TO POSSIBLY PUT ONE ON A CAMPUS.

WE HAVE ALSO BEEN DISCUSSING WITH RAILWAY MUSEUMS WHO HAVE A LOT OF INTEREST AND ONE OF THE ORIGINAL MODERN RAIL LINES IN THE UNITED STATES.

>> TRANSIT OFFICIALS SAY THE PARTNERSHIP IS A WIN-WIN.

WE HOPE YOU ENJOYED THIS LOOK AT KPBS NEWS THIS WEEK.

I AM MATT HOFFMAN.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.