Hotel Workers Call for Affordable Housing Fund Paid by Hotel Room Fee

Brenda Mendoza commutes 3 hours each way from Apple Valley to her hotel job in LA due to unaffordable housing costs.

Mendoza and other striking hotel workers want a "hospitality workforce housing fund" paid for by a 7% fee on hotel rooms.

The housing fund could generate $150 million per year for affordable housing construction and rental assistance.

The hotel owners reject the housing fund proposal, saying it's not their responsibility to provide employee housing.

Experts say industry-specific housing initiatives like this may become more common to address affordability issues.