Housing Affordability vs Minimum Wage (San Francisco, Fresno: low income, rental, mortgage)

[jade408]

This chart is sobering:
http://a.tiles.mapbox.com/v3/phes.Re...7523/-122.4235

You only need about 5 minimum wage jobs to afford a 2 bedroom place in SF.

[Kurinji]

SF is pretty much off-limits to newcomers unless you're earning 2.5 to 3x your mortgage or rental payment, or sharing with roommates. As the Dothraki say, "this is known."

[sonarrat]

It's not the cost of San Francisco that bothers me so much. What really gets me is that for a good 70 miles (and growing) in every direction, it remains amazingly expensive and out of reach. The amount of poverty and homelessness you see due to the cost of living is simply staggering.

[wooliemonster]

I think it's more than that. 2 br in inner SF starts at 3500, more likely 4000+.

[jade408]

Originally Posted by wooliemonster

I think it's more than that. 2 br in inner SF starts at 3500, more likely 4000+.

Minimum wage is about $10 so that sounds about right. $20k a year for minimum wage. The inner areas were more expensive. 5 was the average give or take.


I am on my phone, please forgive the typos.

[Kurinji]

To be honest, I'm getting a bit annoyed with the data - /yawn, I've seen it before, usually on an annual basis. Not that I'm unsympathetic; however, what is being done about this problem?

I'd like to see some data or articles that identify ways to create housing (not HUD projects) for lower middle income / low income residents. In the case of existing housing for persons in the lower income / low income demographic, how many such units have already been granted, or are available?

[NoMoreSnowForMe]

The first homes I could afford to buy were far away from where I worked. This is normal. You rent in town, or buy where you can afford, and commute. Hasn't this always been the norm?

I guess I'm feeling like....so what? Been there, done that. Let them move to Stockton or Tracy or Fresno... There's no guarantee that everyone can afford to live in SF. Never has been.

[hubbard53]

Originally Posted by DSLGal

As the Dothraki say, "this is known."

Ha ha! Throughout all the books, that phrase always made me smile

Minimum wage was never meant to support all then needs of the employed. It was/is a starting point.

[jade408]

Originally Posted by NoMoreSnowForMe

The first homes I could afford to buy were far away from where I worked. This is normal. You rent in town, or buy where you can afford, and commute. Hasn't this always been the norm?

I guess I'm feeling like....so what? Been there, done that. Let them move to Stockton or Tracy or Fresno... There's no guarantee that everyone can afford to live in SF. Never has been.

If low wage workers need to live 90 miles away to afford a place, San Franciscans will have no one to wash their dishes.


On an autocorrecting iDevice.

[NoMoreSnowForMe]

Originally Posted by jade408

If low wage workers need to live 90 miles away to afford a place, San Franciscans will have no one to wash their dishes.


On an autocorrecting iDevice.

Then they'll have to pay for live-in help, or build low-income housing. Or wash their own dishes.

These things sort themselves out. If a worker can't find work 90 miles away where they can afford housing, then they'll commute to where the jobs are.

If businesses in SF can't find people to do their menial work, they'll have to raise wages to attract them.

Eventually, a compromise happens. Supply and demand.