Affordable First launches affordable housing development campaign in Alameda County.
Alameda County, CA—In the face of a nationwide housing crisis, Affordable First is launching their affordable housing development model in Alameda County.
The Affordable First model is designed to help areas grow and develop without pushing people out. “The Affordable First model allows communities to develop new, affordable housing for every income level,” says campaign leader Peggy Moore, “including supportive and transitional housing for the area’s more vulnerable residents.”
New housing development is not keeping up with population growth in the bay area. The Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) estimates that from 2007-2014 permits were issued for just 57% of the housing needed. The data shows that for people who are very low, low and moderate income only 29%, 26%, and 28% of the need was met. In many Bay Area communities, the housing need is not being met for any income level.
This is impacting the affordability of housing for all income levels. This lack of affordability is driving middle class individuals and families—people with full-time, stable employment—into doubling up, living on couches, or living in their cars. For those struggling to find employment, senior citizens, and people suffering long and short term disabilities, the effects are even worse.
In the current development model, a developer partners with an investor to build market rate units for profit. By replacing the private investor with a public institution and building market rate and affordable units together, Affordable First changes the goal from profit to affordability and growth.
This means neighborhoods stay together; people can live where they work; low income families don't have to lose their homes; and aging adults can continue to be a part of the communities they helped to build.