I often hear people say, “We can’t build our way out of the housing problem, and if people cannot afford to live here then they should move.” The national housing shortage is no more evident than right here in Santa Barbara, but telling people to move is not the answer. As we celebrate national Housing America Month in October, now is a critical time to emphasize that we can strive to provide relief to some with affordable housing options.
A caring, healthy, and vibrant community must ensure service workers, first responders, teachers, and others can afford to live where they serve. But we’re falling far short, as the state suffers from a lack of 1.5 million affordable homes while only producing about 14,000 units annually. During October, the country recognizes local efforts to meet this demand and raise awareness for the need of additional affordable housing.
At the Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara, we’re proud to report that our efforts have resulted in 1,257 affordable homes, and we are creating another 90 new homes for frail seniors and 17 homes for veterans moving from homelessness. These units have been crucial as Santa Barbara faces a near-zero vacancy factor and median home prices approach record levels.