Like many of you, I’ve watched with great anguish as wildfires sweep through our state, destroying entire neighborhoods and devastating the lives of families and seniors in a matter of a minutes.
Our hearts go out to the many people who have lost family members and their homes, and the thousands of families and seniors who are suddenly displaced, particularly those in Sonoma County communities. There are seemingly endless stories of people who can’t begin to think about out how they will start over and find an affordable home.
As one Sonoma Valley resident, 68-year-old Claudette Soulier told Sacramento Bee housing reporter Angela Hart: “What I know, as a renter, is I’ll have to leave this county to find something,” she said. “I was already scared of not being able to stay here before, with my little $900 per month in Social Security. Now there’s even less housing available.”
I was particularly struck by that news story from Hart that explained how California’s devastating wildfires and the state’s housing crisis are now profoundly intertwined. Much like other areas of the state, the Sonoma County region’s vacancy rate is just around 1 percent, leaving limited options for people until their homes are rebuilt or for renters looking for a safe place to stay.
It goes without saying but bears repeating: Having a safe home is the foundation of our daily lives. A crisis that leaves thousands of children, families and seniors suddenly without a home brings that into stark focus.
Never could we have predicted that a wildfire or crisis of this magnitude would devastate the lives of so many so quickly. What we are keenly aware of as affordable housing leaders is that every day low- and moderate-income Californians find themselves on the brink of crisis and in need of safe, affordable homes.
With attention, rightfully so, on California’s wildfires and the lasting implications for residents in Northern California, it’s hard to believe it was less than a month ago that Governor Brown signed a historic housing package to invest in affordable housing. While we continue to commend the significant strides California is taking, I believe it’s also our job in the times of crises to keep educating and reminding our elected leaders that work continues to ensure every Californian has a safe, affordable place to call home.
Sincerely,
Ray Pearl
CHC Executive Director
