25 Oct Housing Creates Communities
A diverse array of housing options that appeal to a variety of income levels and lifestyles is vital to maintaining a robust local workforce and growing economy. Among other reasons, this is because employers often try to reduce turnover and employee stress from long commutes by locating where their employees can find affordable housing close to work. Also, employers can more easily recruit new employees if affordable housing is readily available nearby.
Wide availability of workforce housing has additional benefits. The development of housing creates good paying construction jobs. It can reduce traffic congestion, vehicle emissions, and the stress of commuting when people can live close to work. And it keeps our public service providers and essential works in our neighborhoods where we need them.
State law requires cities to update their housing plans (called Housing Elements) to the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) every eight years or risk becoming ineligible for local funding opportunities. This year, Housing Elements were due by October 15, 2021. All told, our five member cities need to build 483,145 housing units by 2029. City leaders are working hard to meet the need, but sometimes opposition to new development can slow down the process, make it too costly, or stop it altogether.
That’s where we all can help.
The Alliance supports the development of workforce housing for its importance to our economic vitality and quality of life. Next week, we launch our Housing Creates Communities campaign to promote the development of housing in the Valley thanks to partnership and support from the Southland Regional Association of Realtors, Union Bank, and The Zoo 360 Marketing Agency. We invite your participation.
There are four ways you can help:
- Visit TheValley.net/Housing and register your support for housing;
- Support housing on social media;
- Voice your support to your elected officials; and
- Attend city planning hearings.
You can also learn more at the Homelessness & Housing Multi-sector Conference presented by the Community Foundation of the Valleys on Friday, December 3, 2021 from 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM.
Learn more at TheValley.net/Housing