HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-04-2017 HRC Correspondence - Item 1 (Peoples' Self-Help Housing)September 21, 2017
Human Relations Commission
City of San Luis Obispo
919 Palm Street
San Luis Obispo, California 93401
RE: Housing Needs in the City of San Luis Obispo
Esteemed Members of the Human Relations Commission:
We are writing to urge your support for affordable housing and social services for low-income households in the City
of San Luis Obispo. The housing crisis is a serious threat to the working families, seniors and homeless residents in
our community, which requires urgent attention and diligent action from city leaders and staff. The urgency of the
problem is apparent and outlined in greater detail below:
•In the San Luis Obispo metro area, 58.6% of renters pay more than 30% of their income on rent, which is
approximately 24,000 households (Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies);
•Additionally, 31.4% of renters pay more than half of their income on rent, accounting for approximately 12,900
households (Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies);
•The mean renter wage is $13.36 -the average renter would need to work 51 hours per week to afford a studio
and 58 hours per week to afford a one-bedroom apartment (National Low Income Housing Coalition);
•According to a 2016 survey by RealtyTrac, San Luis Obispo County is the sixth most unaffordable place to
live in the country, when wages and home prices are considered (RealtyTrac).
This problem does not operate in a vacuum: research indicates that the shortage of affordable housing affects
student's performance in school, business' ability to retain employees, and public health. We hope that you will
prioritize the dire need for affordable housing and services as you consider the important issues that face our
community. Thank you for your time and consideration.
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President & CEO
3533 Empleo St reet, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
(805)781-3088 phone• (805) 544-1901 fax
admin@pshhc.org • www.pshhc.org
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CHARTERED MEMBER
Federal Tax ID #95-2750154
26 E. Victoria Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(805)961-5152 phone • (805) 962-8152 fax
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admin@pshhc.org • www.pshhc.org