An Unaffordable Housing Crunch

A year ago the Southern California Assn. of Governments estimated the county’s population would increase so much that 75,000 new housing units would be needed by 2005. The association said more than one-third of those units would have to be affordable to households with incomes of $47,800 or less. The cities are replying, with most claiming an inability to provide anywhere near the apartments needed. They argue the goal should be lowered.

Anaheim, for instance, would need more than 11,000 new apartments or houses by 2005, the association said, with nearly 40% of them affordable to those earning a maximum of $47,800. The city said its figures indicated only 7,523 new housing units would be needed.

Unfortunately, while the association and the city disagree on the target, even the city’s lower figure is unlikely to be met. City officials admit they won’t be able to get many affordable units built. In these days of economic high times, it’s luxury housing that sprouts up, not bare-bones apartments. Anaheim has a special need for lower-end housing for the janitors, maids, fry cooks and other service personnel who staff the hotels and restaurants in a city heavily dependent on tourism.

But Anaheim is not alone. Santa Ana, Westminster, Tustin and Laguna Niguel also have argued that the association’s figures for new housing units are too high, especially its estimates of housing for low-income families.

When cities and the county government do acknowledge a need for affordable housing, they seldom do anything about it.

One problem is the increasing cost of already expensive land. By one estimate, land now costs double what it did six years ago. Also, cities do better letting retail establishments be built, and bring in sales taxes, than houses, which send the bulk of their property tax to the state.

The association’s figures are used for cities to develop zoning regulations, but unless the municipalities apply for state or federal housing grants, they aren’t forced to meet quotas for affordable housing.

Governments must realize that not providing housing where their workers can live eventually will mean that companies will not move into town or, if already there, will pull up stakes. The need must be matched by the will to find a way to get housing built.