2021 Indicators Report focuses on solutions to the housing crisis

Published on November 08, 2021

Housing experts at the recent online launch of Sustainable San Mateo County’s 25th annual Indicators Report said political leadership, funding and aggressive use of land use are needed to solve the county’s housing shortage.

The Indicators Report Launch on Zoom featured three experts who are working on creating affordable and equitable housing for everyone: Rick Bonilla, Deputy Mayor, San Mateo; Diana Reddy, Council Member, Redwood City; and Matt Franklin, Chief Executive, MidPen Housing.

One key finding in the report is that between 2010 and 2019, nearly 11 times more jobs were created than housing units. Sustainable San Mateo County determined that 330 developments currently under consideration in the county would create more than four times more jobs than housing units in the pipeline.

The report also found that renters need to earn 3.2 times the minimum wage to afford an average two-bedroom housing unit in the county, and that many extremely low-income people in the county are one medical crisis or paycheck away from homelessness. If just 6% of extremely low-income individuals lose their homes, the county’s homeless population will double.

The report offers examples of new policies and on-the-ground solutions that are beginning to make an impact on the problem.

The full Indicators Report, as well as an executive summary, a brochure and a video of the Indicators Report launch event, can be accessed at the Sustainable San Mateo County website.