Housing, a Public Good.

Wikipedia contributors. (2021, September 15).

Public housing.

In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia.

Retrieved April 5, 2023

from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_housing

Yesterday, the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors held a first reading of a proposed "camping" law, which seeks to ban unhoused individuals from sleeping in specific public areas, such as the Joe Rodota Trail. Sonoma County has a huge challenge on its hands, with a 2022 countywide census finding 2,800 homeless people, of which only 800 were living in shelters. More shelters, transitional housing, and affordable housing are needed, along with social services such as mental health care and substance abuse treatment. 

But I think the core of the problem is different. I think we need to see housing as a public good, and not as a market. Vienna (60%), Singapore (80%), Sweden, Hong Kong (50%), Finland (20%), and the Netherlands (30%) have all managed to house very significant parts of their population by recognizing that housing is a public good and should be the object of concerted action. 

Sonoma County should prioritize the provision of more housing to effectively address homelessness. By repurposing sites, our County could become a "net zero" employer itself, setting a powerful example. As the county's largest employer, this initiative would have a significant impact on the housing crisis and substantially benefit working and middle-class families.

Encouraging government and employers to adopt a "net zero" position in how their operations impact the local housing ecosystem would be a good start. By taking responsibility for the housing needs of their employees and community, government and employers can play an active role in addressing homelessness and providing equitable access to housing for all. We need to focus on creating long-term solutions, not just temporary fixes.