SAN DIEGO ORGANIZING PROJECT JUST RELEASED POLL OF 601 VOTERS SHOWING CITY IS FACING AN AFORDABLE HOUSING CRISIS

SAN DIEGO HOUSING ATTITUDES VOTER POLL
FINDINGS & ANALYSIS
June, 2002

San Diego, CA-June, 2002 - Topline data from a poll of 601 voters throughout the city of San Diego shows that overwhelming numbers feel that the City is facing an affordable housing crisis.

• Housing out polled all other issues with 88% of respondents calling it a serious crisis. Most think that the situation is a drag on the City's progress and affects the quality of life.
• Though many of those polled are not suffering themselves, they are very concerned for their children and for the future prosperity of the City due to the lack of affordable housing.
• Over 2/3 of the electorate think that local government is not doing enough to address the problem and most want San Diego government involved in finding solutions to the crisis.
• Though most of those polled owned their own home, they are particularly concerned about the plight of renters and would support an unjust eviction law and a Landlord/Tenant Commission.
• Post 9/11 enthusiasm has waned with less than 50% optimistic and 32% saying things are on the wrong track.

(l-r) City Council Members Brian Maienschein, Ralph Inzunza, Donna Frye, and Toni Atkins listen to speakers at the SDOP Community Action on Affordable Housing meeting held at Saint Jude’s Shrine of the West,, June 17, 2002 Photo courtesy of William Radatz

Housing outpolled all other issues when asked as an open ended question (19.8% vs. 18. 3 for traffic and 14.8 for growth). When read in a list with other potential crises facing the city, it outpolled them all by major margins: over 2/3 see housing as a very serious crisis, 20% as somewhat serious and only 12% saying there is no crisis or unsure on the question.

Traffic is actually behind affordable housing as a crisis in the minds of voters, followed by concerns over growth. Public education and healthcare are seen as very serious by about 1/3rd of the active voters, and crime has largely been "solved".

Voters are generally more worried about the housing for the future rather than the present, as most of those polled owned their own homes and were satisfied with their own housing situation. However, 43% agree (28% strongly) that they worry about having to move away someday due to the high cost of housing. Finally, a startling 78% worry that the next generation won't be able to afford to live in San Diego. Housing is perceived as an issue that is going to worsen with time.

Overwhelming numbers feel that local government is not doing enough to address the problem and most want San Diego government involved in finding solutions. About 70% agree that unless the City takes action, even middle income residents won't be able to afford a house.

Most voters see access to housing as a basic right and more than 1 in 6 feel that they have been discriminated against. 85% think that the cost of a home is too high and the majority stated that they couldn't buy a home in the current market.

A majority of those polled know someone, usually a friend, who has left San Diego due to the high cost of housing.

78% of the voters polled said that rents are too high and of these a stunning 94% say this is at least a significant problem, with 53% calling it severe. About 2/3 of the electorate feel that there should be a law that landlords must give renters a reason when they want to evict them. Almost 70% support the formation a Landlord/Tenant Commission to help local government set policy.

Finally, almost all voters are unaware of the City of San Diego's Housing Trust Fund, but most favor having the City put more money into it.

Singers break out in song at the SDOP Community Action on Affordable Housing meeting held at Saint Jude’s Shrine of the West, 32nd Street and National Avenue, San Diego, June 17, 2002 Photo courtesy of William Radatz

ABOUT SAN DIEGO ORGANIZING PROJECT:
Founded in 1979, SDOP is an interfaith, multicultural organization representing 20 communities and 41,000 families. SDOP invests its resources in people, identifying and empowering community leaders throughout San Diego. Its mission is to assist families build powerful community organizations. SDOP is a member of a national network of faith-based organizations, PICO (Pacific Institute for Community Organization), with sister organizations in over 100 cities across the country.

Stephanie Gut, (r.) Executive Director of SDOP. A crowd of 1,500 people turned out for the SDOP meeting held on Jun2 17, 2002 at Saint Jude’s Shrine of the West. Photo courtesy of William Radatz