New East Bay Data: Housing Costs Rise, Needs Grow, Funding Plummets

New East Bay Data: Housing Costs Rise, Needs Grow, Funding Plummets
New Reports Builds Case for Action

May 5, 2017 (East Bay) – Just before supporters and residents kick off Affordable Housing Week in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties to explore opportunities and solutions, new data demonstrates that housing costs have grown higher than ever, pushing more East Bay Area families into poverty.

The California Housing Partnership published its annual Housing Needs Assessment data today for Alameda County and Contra Costa County, demonstrating a snapshot of the region’s current housing needs and challenges. Key findings included:

• The affordable housing shortfall has continued to grow, with a deficit of 60,173 affordable homes in Alameda County and 30,939 in Contra Costa County.
• Inflation-adjusted median housing costs rose while incomes declined since 2000.
• In Alameda County, rents rose 29% while renter income declined 3%. In Contra Costa County, rents increased 25% while incomes declined 3%.
• Both Counties have suffered severe funding cuts at the state and federal level since 2008. Alameda County suffered an overall reduction of 74% in funds for affordable housing while Contra Costa County lost 66%.

“Most of us already know family or friends impacted by the housing crisis. But the data show the problem is much wider and deeper, requiring a systematic response,” said Matt Schwartz, CEO and President of the California Housing Partnership. “Fortunately, there are important opportunities in front of us, if we have the will to seize them.”

In collaboration with the Non-Profit Housing Association of Northern California (NPH) and East Bay Housing Organizations, the new reports also include policy recommendations to address the reports’ findings.

“Many of our local communities rallied for action this past November, and the momentum is only growing,” said Gloria Bruce, East Bay Housing Organizations Executive Director. “There’s more to do to support our renters and residents – and that will require action from our leaders at every level, including the State.”

Specifically, the reports’ policy recommendations include California Senate Bill 2 (Atkins) and Assembly Bill 71 (Chiu), which would identify new, permanent funding sources for affordable housing.

“Even after Alameda and many of our Bay Area Counties passed measures this past election, we’re still facing a funding gap. It’s the state’s turn to do its part and create ongoing funding for affordable housing to reinvest in our local communities,” said Amie Fishman, NPH Executive Director.

###

The Alameda County Report can be viewed at http://bit.ly/2p3thzn

The Contra Costa County Report can be viewed at http://bit.ly/2p3eUed

California Housing Partnership is California’s leading expert in Affordable Housing finance and policy. The State Legislature created the California Housing Partnership in 1988 to help preserve California’s existing supply of affordable homes and to provide leadership on affordable housing policy and resource issues. Since then, the California Housing Partnership has worked with fellow affordable housing creators and preservers statewide to ensure that low-income Californians have the opportunity to live in a home that fosters a healthy, productive life. In partnership with nonprofit and government housing agencies, the California Housing Partnership provides the expertise, technical assistance, and advocacy leadership necessary to create and preserve homes affordable to those with the fewest housing choices. For more information about California Housing Partnership, visit www.chpc.net

East Bay Housing Organizations (EBHO) brings together community members, public officials, nonprofit housing developers, residents, service providers, planners, professionals, and advocates in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties to build a movement to ensure everyone has a safe, healthy, and affordable place to call home. EBHO’s November 2016 efforts included working in coalition to support local Measures JJ and KK in Oakland and U1 in Berkeley to protect and preserve affordable housing and supporting Measure A1 in Alameda County to create new affordable housing revenue. EBHO’s Affordable Housing Week will run May 11-21 and provide opportunities for East Bay residents to learn about and engage in support for affordable housing solutions. For more information about EBHO and Affordable Housing Week, please visit: www.ebho.org/our-work/affordable-housing-week

The Non-Profit Housing Association of Northern California (NPH) is the Bay Area’s voice for affordable housing. NPH envisions a future where everyone has an affordable and stable home. NPH represents more than 750 affordable housing developers, advocates, community leaders and businesses, working to secure resources, promote good policy, educate the public and support affordable homes as the foundation for thriving individuals, families and neighborhoods. For more information about NPH, visit www.nonprofithousing.org

Media Contacts: 

Matt Schwartz, MSchwartz@chpc.net (415-433-6804 x311)
Laneisha Whitfield, laneisha@ebho.org (510-663-3830 ext. 323)
Alina Harway, alina@nonprofithousing.org (415-989-8160 x36)