Local nonprofit leaders on Thursday called on legislators to increase funding directed at fighting San Diego’s high cost of living.
Their targets: high rent and child care costs – and the food insecurity, and even homelessness, that can result from both.
San Diego City Council President Pro Tem Kent Lee and Councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera gathered with representatives from five local nonprofits to highlight how increasing costs are contributing to the financial burden for tens of thousands of residents.
A report by the California Housing Partnership, in coordination with the San Diego Housing Federation, found that the average monthly rent has increased by nearly $100 from last year to $2,571.
That means a San Diegan would need to make about $50 per hour to afford rent — three times the minimum wage.
Stephen Russell, CEO of the housing federation, said although there was a 29% increase in state and federal funding for affordable housing in the last year, he is worried the state will be focused on “plugging budget holes created by federal actions.”
“It’s critical the county and city’s affordable housing funding continues to rise to meet the overwhelming need,” he said.
Elected officials at local and state levels are grappling with budget deficits amid slow tax revenues and rising costs, along with uncertainties about the economy and federal funding.
The Legislative Analyst’s Office found the state’s budget is roughly balanced this year, with a $2 billion deficit.
San Diego County officials announced late last year that it faced a projected $138.5 million deficit in the coming year, while the city is facing a deficit of $258 million.
Russell called on state legislators to vote for proper funding for affordable housing to be included in the state’s budget via the partisan Affordable Housing Bond Acts of 2026.
On top of increasing rent, nearly two-thirds of families in San Diego don’t have access to enough child care resources, according to a report commissioned by the county.
The Children First Collective found that child care providers operate on very slim margins with underpaid workers.
The average child care worker in San Diego earns around $19 per hour, according to the research.
The analysis suggested child care providers should start setting rates based on what it takes to provide quality care, rather than on what families can pay.
A family of four in San Diego needs to earn more than $107,000 annually to afford child care, the report said.
The median household income falls about $3,000 short, according to U.S. Census data.
Families struggling with housing and child care are also often impacted by food insecurity, the report found.
Jewish Family Service has seen a growing demand for its nutrition programs over the past year, with the number of people accessing its pantry programs rising 20%.
Kaley Levitt, JFS vice president of government affairs, said increasing families’ access to housing, healthcare, job support and cash assistance allows them to put food on the table themselves.
Levitt encouraged elected officials to address the “root causes of food insecurity.”
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Nonprofits: ‘overwhelming need’ for state to help San Diegans burdened by high cost of living )
Also on site :
- Watch Live: American Cardinal Robert Provost chosen as new pope
- Former Pomona police officers acquitted in brutality case settle lawsuit against city for $2.5 million
- White smoke appears over Sistine Chapel as Conclave elects new Pope