Affordable housing is a basic human right and an economic necessity – Marin Independent Journal
![Affordable housing is a basic human right and an economic necessity – Marin Independent Journal Affordable housing is a basic human right and an economic necessity – Marin Independent Journal](https://www.marinij.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/MIJ-L-SRGREEN-1130-01.jpg?w=1024&h=690)
Access to housing is one of the biggest issues facing Marin County, affecting employers and employees alike. We need more – not less – housing. A commitment to creating affordable housing is both a testament to our shared values and an economic imperative that is critical to Marin’s future.
Between April 2023 and April 2024, Marin added 1,700 new jobs to the local economy. However, when it comes to new construction in the county, only 1,700 new housing units were built in the last decade. This reality has created a severe housing shortage that affects us all and undermines the long-term economic vitality of our county.
The inability to house our workforce in Marin means a loss of talent and reduced productivity, limiting innovation and profits and degrading the quality of life in our communities.
In our local economy, we are facing a predictable talent shortage caused by the housing crisis. Employers across industries, including healthcare, education, primary care, and more, are reporting significant barriers to recruiting and retaining employees. Many employers are increasingly having to offer higher wages and other benefits to attract and retain talent, negatively impacting their profits.
These costs are passed on to consumers, resulting in longer wait times and limited access, driving up the price of goods and services. An estimated 45,000 workers in Marin commute to work – and that number is growing. Over the past 10 years, the number of commuters coming to Marin from other counties has increased by nearly 8,000 people.
At the same time, the number of people living and working in Marin has dropped by about 10,000. Long commutes and a housing shortage lead to increased stress, poorer health outcomes and fewer opportunities for social mobility. This does not even take into account the impact of commuting on traffic congestion and the environment – two key issues that concern many in Marin.
A 2023 Community Action Marin needs assessment report shows that the affordable housing crisis disproportionately affects people of color: 58% of Latino and 56% of Black renters spend more than 30% of their income on housing. Racial inequality in Marin is embarrassingly visible: affordable housing is concentrated in certain overcrowded and segregated neighborhoods in Novato, Marin City, and San Rafael.
Many families in these neighborhoods live in two- and three-person units just to afford the rent. Recent census data shows that overcrowding in rental housing in Marin is a shocking 7%. And that’s just what’s officially reported. The number is likely much higher.
Knowing firsthand that children in overcrowded housing situations are more likely to struggle academically and face health, emotional and behavioral problems, Marin County School Superintendent John A. Carroll has studied the consequences that harm our community and our children.
“Affordable housing is not only a cornerstone of our community’s well-being; it is also essential to attracting and retaining talented educators who will shape our children’s futures,” Carroll said. “Without stable, affordable housing, we cannot expect to maintain the high standards of education our students deserve. Investing in affordable housing means investing in the strength and sustainability of our schools.”
The consequences of our inaction are clear: we are failing our children, our neighbors, our workers, and our employers. We are creating insurmountable obstacles that will further undermine the future strength of our country and the well-being of future generations.
Providing everyone with access to safe, affordable housing aligns with our values, and it also makes business sense. Marin County has long been a place of opportunity and innovation.
We can continue to lead the way by addressing the affordable housing crisis. Our actions today can pave the way for a strong and bright future for Marin and demonstrate that economic prosperity and social justice go hand in hand.
Chandra Alexandre is CEO of Community Action Marin. Joanne Webster is President and CEO of the North Bay Leadership Council.