It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting Wrigley Mansion in South Pasadena, CA gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in South Pasadena, CA is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“As anyone will tell you, the process of finding someone to take care of”
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“They gave my mother great care. Worked thru scheduling conflicts. My mom loved her caregivers.”
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“Always very caring about your patients and asking them questions about their needs”
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“I want to personally thank Diane Pierson and Ly French with Always Best Care Senior”
“As anyone will tell you, the process of finding someone to take care of a loved one involves a lot of vetting. We were apprehensive due to the insurance company making the referral. I am happy to report all good! Surprised and delighted. My husband and I just started with Always Best Care. From the initial visit to the home, the office, and the perfectly matched final team of ladies sent to take care of our MAAH-MAH. Top notch. This is our first week, and so far, everything is going well. We pray for a long, successful relationship.”
“Diane and her team were nothing but wonderful to my family and especially my father. I would highly recommend them.”
“Always Best Care provided excellent service to us during the time our family member needed in home care. The caregivers provided were professional and sensitive to the patient's needs and always dependable. Diane was available to answer questions and help us navigate the cumbersome healthcare system. I highly recommend Always Best Care under the direction of Diane Pierson.”
“The staff is kind, caring, and responsive to any health changes that may occur. The nurses assisted my pops with in-home daily living assistance and medicine reminders. They helped my pops enjoy life again for his last few years. I am extremely grateful ✨️????.”
“They gave my mother great care. Worked thru scheduling conflicts. My mom loved her caregivers.”
“My mother is 92 and services we get have been wonderful! Excellent Caregiver! Office staff is extremely helpful. They are happy to answer any kind of questions or concerns I may have.”
“Always very caring about your patients and asking them questions about their needs”
“I am a current client of this provider The owner Diane, is on top of things. They have kind caring and knowledgeable staff and respond in a very timely manner. What a great service they have provided both mentally and physically for our family. Highly recommended.”
“Thank you ABC of Pasadena for all of your help. My family is grateful for your support. The quality of care is exceptional and I feel that I can rely upon ABC of Pasadena to meet all of our needs.”
“Thank you ABC of Pasadena for all of your help. My family is grateful for your support. The quality of care is exceptional and I feel that I can rely upon ABC of Pasadena to meet all of our needs.”
“I was trying to get a lifeline alert system for my mom and was having a difficult time finding a right one until I got connected with Diane. She was so professional and productive!!! Definitely a go to person if you ever need her service. Thank you so much Diane!!”
“I am a current client of this provider Thank you ABC of Pasadena for all of your help. My family is grateful for your support. The quality of care is exceptional and I feel that I can rely upon ABC of Pasadena to meet all of our needs.”
“Diane Pierson was great. She guided us through a very difficult time while searching for an assistive living with memory care facility care for my 90 year old step mother. Diane took her time, spoke with us and provided several options. We are now in the process of relocating my step mother to an excellent facility that she recommended and would not be able to do this relocation without her help.”
“I want to personally thank Diane Pierson and Ly French with Always Best Care Senior Services Pasadena for everything they did to help me find a place for my mother to reside at. They are very dedicated and supportive to all the families they help. My mother could have become homeless without Ly’s expertise, empathy, commitment and clear communication on what to do next. Always Best Care specifically matched my mother's unique circumstances, social needs, desired location and budget. Diane and Ly are very passionate about senior care and will help you and your family with the highest level of service. I will never forget this experience or their kindness. I highly recommend them to everyone! We made the best choice working with Always Best Care Senior Services Pasadena.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting South Pasadena Nature Park in South Pasadena, CA with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local The Royce Wood Fired Steakhouse or visit The Gamble House, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in South Pasadena, CA, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in South Pasadena, CA understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in South Pasadena, CA 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
Job seekers in the San Gabriel Valley are encouraged to attend the upcoming South Pasadena Job Fair, hosted by the Foothill Workforce Development Board (FWDB) and America’s Job Center of California.By Luca BonoliThe event promises a wide array of opportunities for individuals seeking employment across multiple industries.The South Pasadena Job Fair will feature local and regional employers actively hiring in sectors such as medical, hospitality, retail, transportation, construction, admi...
By Luca Bonoli
The event promises a wide array of opportunities for individuals seeking employment across multiple industries.
The South Pasadena Job Fair will feature local and regional employers actively hiring in sectors such as medical, hospitality, retail, transportation, construction, administration, and government. Attendees will have the chance to connect directly with recruiters and hiring managers, making this event a valuable opportunity to network and explore new career paths.
Prospective job candidates are encouraged to come dressed professionally and ready for interviews. They should also bring several copies of their résumés to share with potential employers.
To ensure participation, attendees are asked to register in advance at forms.office.com.
South Pasadena Job FairThursday, November 13, 202510:00 am - 1:00 pmLocationWar Memorial Building435 Fair Oaks Avenue, South Pasadena, CA 91030
Search for an event or check all the event listings below:
| 12/02/2025 11:00 am - 4:30 pm | Highland Park Farmers Market Highland Park Farmers Market, HIghland Park CA | |
| 12/02/2025 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm | Holiday Tree Lighting With a Taste of San Gabriel Historic Mission District, San Gabriel CA | |
Search for an event or check all the event listings below:
| 01/02/2026 10:00 am - 11:00 am | Sierra Madre Senior Hawaiian & Polynesian Dance Class Memorial Park in Sierra Madre, Sierra Madre CA | |
| 01/02/2026 - 01/03/2026 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm | Kidspace Free First Fridays Kidspace Children’s Museum, Pasadena CA | |
Search for an event or check all the event listings below:
Shortly before 6 p.m. Tuesday, phones across Los Angeles County lighted up with an emergency alert test, the latest example of challenges that government officials are experiencing with wireless emergency alert systems.It wasn’t immediately clear how many people received the errant alert from South Pasadena, which read, “This is a test of the South Pasadena WEA system. There is no emergency.” South Pasadena officials said the test was supposed to remain in the city’s internal system but was mistakenly transmitt...
Shortly before 6 p.m. Tuesday, phones across Los Angeles County lighted up with an emergency alert test, the latest example of challenges that government officials are experiencing with wireless emergency alert systems.
It wasn’t immediately clear how many people received the errant alert from South Pasadena, which read, “This is a test of the South Pasadena WEA system. There is no emergency.” South Pasadena officials said the test was supposed to remain in the city’s internal system but was mistakenly transmitted to the public. L.A. Times employees in Long Beach, downtown L.A. and Redondo Beach reported receiving the test.
Wireless emergency alerts are sent out through a partnership among the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Federal Communications Commission, cellphone providers and local officials, who geographically code the alerts so they appear on phones in areas affected by public safety warnings.
The errant test was reminiscent of an alert that was erroneously sent to 10 million phones across L.A. County during the January firestorms, warning them to prepare to evacuate due to a fire. The alert was meant to be sent only to a small number of phones near Calabasas.
On Tuesday evening, public safety staff with the city of South Pasadena were performing an internal test of the WEA system when the message was accidentally sent to phones across the county, city spokesperson Jennifer Colby said.
The cause of the erroneous alert is under investigation. However, it is currently believed to be the result of human error and not a malfunction of the platform called Finalsite that the city uses to send alerts, she said.
Colby said the city apologized for the inconvenience caused by the mistake.
Any fallout from the accidental test alert probably is minimal, but the ramifications of similar mistakes can be serious during active emergencies.
For example, the erroneous alert that went out during the January firestorms stoked panic and confusion. That was compounded by “echoing alerts,” when the message pinged repeatedly and seemingly at random.
A federal report that looked into that alert issue found that the company contracted by the county to send out the emergency alerts, Genasys, experienced a technical issue that caused the initial, widespread alert. The “echoing” alerts were a symptom of cellphone providers experiencing overload due to the high volume and long duration of the alerts, the report found.
More than a dozen houses that were slated to be demolished as part of a failed effort to extend the 710 Freeway are now being sold by the city of Pasadena.The historic properties have been sitting vacant for decades and were put on the market as-is, with prices ranging from $750,000 to $1.75 million.According to the listings, a few of the homes are uninhabitable, with health and safety concerns for potential buyers. The utilities have been shut off “for an extended period of time” and will not be turned back on befo...
More than a dozen houses that were slated to be demolished as part of a failed effort to extend the 710 Freeway are now being sold by the city of Pasadena.
The historic properties have been sitting vacant for decades and were put on the market as-is, with prices ranging from $750,000 to $1.75 million.
According to the listings, a few of the homes are uninhabitable, with health and safety concerns for potential buyers. The utilities have been shut off “for an extended period of time” and will not be turned back on before escrow closes, including for inspections, according to the city.
But that hasn’t dissuaded interested homebuyers. Brokers representing the listings said they’ve received multiple offers for most of the homes put up for sale earlier this month.
The 13th home went on the market this week. Pasadena Housing Director Jim Wong said proceeds from all sales will go toward “much-needed” affordable housing in the city.
“These are critically needed dollars to address the shortage of affordable housing in our community,” Wong told LAist.
The properties were set to be demolished to extend the 710 Freeway through Pasadena, South Pasadena and .
The project eventually was canceled after it faced legal challenges and widespread opposition. Caltrans ended up purchasing to make way for an extension that never got built.
Several of the homes have been put up for sale over the past year, including El Sereno properties .
When put five of them on the market last fall, the properties attracted . Most — even with boarded-up windows, damaged floors and peeling paint — with the costliest going for nearly a half-million dollars above asking.
Bill Podley, a Compass broker associate representing five of the properties, told LAist that most of the homes are in pretty poor condition after sitting empty for so many years. Some have peeling walls and holes in the floors, for example.
“These properties are not for the faint of heart,” he said, adding that most of the homes are 100 years old at least. “Because you're really buying something you're not too totally certain as to its condition.”
Unlike the South Pasadena properties, you won’t get to scope out the Pasadena homes in person. There are no public open houses or broker tours allowed — virtual viewings only.
The Pasadena properties include:
Serious buyers can schedule a showing if they have documents proving they can cover the full price of the property, according to the city. Purchases are required to be all cash or private hard-money financing. Signed liability waivers also are required for each person visiting the property, similar to the South Pasadena showings.
Michael Bell, a Sotheby's International Realty broker who represents four of the listings, told LAist the properties haven’t been altered much at all, which might not be enticing to a typical investor.
“But we're not trying to sell to normal investors — we're trying to sell to people that really love historic homes,” Bell said. “There are people that really love these homes, and it's not a financial transaction they're looking at. It's really an emotional transaction. It's being part of the community.”
You can learn more about the properties and purchase process .
Pasadena also purchased four smaller, non-historic homes from Caltrans that are not on the market. Those properties may be renovated for affordable homeownership housing, according to Wong.
Pasadena is required to fund three affordable units with the sales proceeds from every property it purchased from Caltrans. Wong said the 13 homes on the market, in addition to the four smaller ones set aside, will generate at least 51 units.
Pasadena must start using the sales proceeds toward affordable housing by the end of next year, according to .
The Pasadena City Council and staff will review offers on the 13 properties before the successful bidders are notified. Offers will be added to the agenda for council consideration at a later date, Wong said.
Voting citizens and families who are strongly outspoken about protecting South Pasadena’s neighborhoods may be barking up the wrong tree. City Council may make the perfect ‘Tree Ordinance’, but it may not matter much if is ignored by Newsom.The controversial ‘housing bill’ with sweeping implications for local control of development, Senate Bill 79, now sits on Governor Gavin Newsom’s desk. The Governor has until October 12 to either sign or veto the ...
Voting citizens and families who are strongly outspoken about protecting South Pasadena’s neighborhoods may be barking up the wrong tree. City Council may make the perfect ‘Tree Ordinance’, but it may not matter much if is ignored by Newsom.
The controversial ‘housing bill’ with sweeping implications for local control of development, Senate Bill 79, now sits on Governor Gavin Newsom’s desk. The Governor has until October 12 to either sign or veto the measure.
The Stakes
SB 79, authored in the Legislature earlier this year, has drawn intense scrutiny across the San Gabriel Valley and beyond. Supporters argue it is a critical tool for advancing affordable housing mandates and streamlining compliance with state housing law.
Opponents, including City of Los Angeles, residents in South Pasadena and neighboring cities, see it as a fundamental side-stepping of existing local decision-making, potentially opening the door to larger and denser projects that bypass voter oversight.
If SB 79 becomes law, South Pasadena may lose much, or all, of its authority to protect the City’s trees when developers claim housing law protections. The ordinance would remain on the books, but in practice, state law would override it, especially for larger housing projects.
The debate has escalated in recent weeks as communities raise questions:
A Tense Countdown
The Governor’s office has not indicated how he intends to act on SB 79. For many observers, the timing raises alarm: by law, bills passed late in the legislative session must be acted on within 30 days. That window closes on October 12.
If signed — or allowed to become law without a signature — the measure would take effect on January 1, 2026, reshaping how housing development is approved and contested in cities like South Pasadena.
Why It Matters Locally
South Pasadena has already been at the center of contentious development battles, from the Mission Bell project to height-limit measures and the long-running fight over Caltrans-owned properties. Residents and city officials alike warn that SB 79 could override years of careful local planning and voter-approved safeguards.
Now What?
As the deadline approaches, advocacy groups, city officials, and residents are ramping up calls, letters, and lobbying efforts urging the Governor either to sign or to veto. The risk, many say, is that inaction alone could set in motion one of the most consequential housing shifts the region has seen in decades.
For now, communities are left waiting — watching the calendar tick toward October 12, when silence from Sacramento could speak louder than words.
California lawmakers are advancing a controversial proposal that could mark the beginning of the end for most traditional landline phone service in the state.Assembly Bill 470, backed by AT&T, cleared the Assembly in June and is now under review by the state Senate Appropriations Committee. The legislation seeks to eliminate the company’s “carrier of last resort” obligation, which currently requires it to provide copper-wire landline service to anyone who requests it.AT&T argues that landlines are no l...
California lawmakers are advancing a controversial proposal that could mark the beginning of the end for most traditional landline phone service in the state.
Assembly Bill 470, backed by AT&T, cleared the Assembly in June and is now under review by the state Senate Appropriations Committee. The legislation seeks to eliminate the company’s “carrier of last resort” obligation, which currently requires it to provide copper-wire landline service to anyone who requests it.
AT&T argues that landlines are no longer widely used, with only about 5% of Californians — primarily older residents — relying on them. The company says its obligations cost $1 billion annually, despite reporting $12.3 billion in profit last year. “No customer will be left without access to voice or 911 service,” said Susan Santana, AT&T’s California president, promising a phased, multi-year transition to newer technologies.
Supporters of the bill, including Assembly Member Tina McKinnor (D-Inglewood), the bill’s author, contend that the measure will accelerate the replacement of outdated copper wiring with modern fiber-optic networks. Half of AT&T’s required investment would be directed toward underserved areas, aiming to expand broadband access.
The proposal would allow AT&T to phase out landline service only in areas deemed “well served,” defined as regions with at least three alternative providers — typically two cellular carriers and one cable company — including one offering discounted Lifeline plans for low-income households.
Critics, however, warn that the bill could leave hundreds of thousands without a reliable communication lifeline, especially during emergencies when internet and cellular networks may fail. Consumer advocates argue the measure sidesteps the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), which unanimously rejected AT&T’s previous attempt to abandon landline obligations in 2024.
“There is no way the commission has the resources to verify throughout the entire state where there are verified alternative services,” said Regina Costa of The Utility Reform Network, a San Francisco-based advocacy group.
Business groups and some local officials, such as San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, support the bill, which received votes from a dozen Bay Area Assembly members. Still, opponents caution that federal broadband maps used to determine “well served” areas often overstate coverage, potentially leaving households with no viable options.
If passed, the CPUC would be tasked with finalizing maps of well-served areas by December 15, 2026. The Senate Appropriations Committee is expected to take up AB 470 in the coming weeks.
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