THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, COUNTY OF SAN MATEO, STATE OF CALIFORNIA PROCLAIMING
May 8th-May 15th, 2010

AFFORDABLE HOUSING WEEK

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

WHEREAS, the Bay Area Counties are in unison in proclaiming the second week in the month of May as Affordable Housing Week to place emphasis on the growing need for support for the housing sector in their task to fill in gaps in availability and affordability of housing in individual counties; and

 

WHEREAS, it cannot be emphasized enough that decent and affordable housing promotes self-sufficiency and family stability, revitalizes neighborhood and communities, supports economic growth, and most importantly, creates a positive environment and improves life outcomes for children; and

 

WHEREAS, the most significant housing challenge is affordability with one in four households spending more than half their income on housing, where the magnitude of this affordability problem is most severely felt among lower-income households - the County of San Mateo is regularly cited as one of the most expensive and least affordable counties in the nation and despite the downturn in the economy, demand remains high for housing for all income levels; and

 

WHEREAS, the County of San Mateo recognizes the importance of housing affordability at all income levels as an integral part of its Shared Vision 2025 in order to create healthy, livable, sustainable communities; and

 

WHEREAS, a notable example of this commitment is the groundbreaking collaborative effort called 21 Elements, involving San Mateo County and its Department of Housing, all 20 cities in San Mateo County, and the City/County Association of Governments; this effort has ensured that the vital Housing Element portion of each community’s General Plan is created faster, with less staff effort, and with greater incorporation of housing best practices; and

 

WHEREAS, this also includes the San Mateo County Department of Health’s ambitious effort, in consultation with the Department of Housing, to help shape community planning to create more opportunities for all citizens to get out of their cars, to socialize, as well as have easier access to healthy food; and

 

WHEREAS, our nation is faced with the ever growing problem of bridging the gap between demand and supply for housing that is affordable, with causes for inadequate supply as varied as rising housing construction costs in relation to family incomes, insufficient financing and public subsidies, increased unemployment, and restrictive zoning laws - solutions to increased production of affordable housing depend heavily on the collaborative efforts of the public sector, nonprofit organizations, for-profit businesses, private sector and the valuable role of our citizenry; and

 

NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED that the Board of Supervisors of the County of San Mateo, State of California, does hereby proclaim the week of May 8 through May 15, 2010 as AFFORDABLE HOUSING WEEK, and enjoins all San Mateo County residents to support our efforts toward the goal of “a suitable living environment for every family”.

 

Dated: May 11, 2010

 
 

SUPERVISORS:

 
   


RICHARD GORDON, PRESIDENT

     
   


MARK CHURCH

     
   


ROSE JACOBS GIBSON

     
   


CAROLE GROOM

     
   


ADRIENNE J. TISSIER

     
     

Attest:

_________________________________

 

Deputy Clerk of the Board of Supervisors