Affordable, centrally located housing is key to California’s climate policy because high housing costs typically push low-wage workers to distant suburbs, trapping them in an expensive cycle of long commutes with few transit options. Our housing affordability policies affect people’s quality of life, transportation costs, and air quality for the region, as well as greenhouse gas emissions from their commutes. In fact, dense, infill affordable housing near transit is one of our best solutions to mitigate the climate crisis.

But the current version of California’s budget doesn’t guarantee funding for successful programs like the Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities Program (AHSC) that are proven to reduce emissions by building infill affordable housing near transit across the state. Here are just a few of the benefits that affordable housing provides to its residents and the community at large — all reasons to provide more funding for affordable housing, not less.

Affordable infill housing fights climate change

VMT, short for vehicle miles traveled, is a measurement used by state and local agencies to measure and track emissions and the impact of infrastructure projects. Housing that’s far from jobs and transit can increase a region’s VMT. Moving to a central location with easy access to common destinations by walking, biking, or taking transit leads people to drive less, reducing VMT and emissions overall.

Last year, Transform used MTC data to calculate the GHG reductions from a proposed $10 billion affordable housing bond. Our analysis found that not only would affordable housing residents save money on transportation, but the affordable housing units near transit expected to be built with the bond proceeds would take 3 million tons of GHGs out of the atmosphere.

A 2015 working paper commissioned by the California Housing Partnership looked at VMT reductions from “location-efficient” housing by income level. Its bottom line finding was that, while people of different income levels had about the same level of VMT reduction in centrally located housing, low-income housing is a better investment for the environment. That’s because lower-income residents “live more compactly,” thus providing greater VMT reduction per acre.

However you look at it, affordable housing near transit and walkable destinations is an excellent investment for climate resiliency.

Affordable housing strengthens local economies

Siting affordable housing near central business districts provides several distinct economic advantages, as outlined in an article in the Planning Commissioners’ Journal. Businesses find it easier to hire and retain workers. And, when rents are low enough to leave households with extra spending money, low-income families are more likely to use those funds to buy necessities, boosting the local retail economy. 

Significantly, the article cites a report from the Center for Housing Policy, which found that, in most cases, affordable housing development had no impact on surrounding property values. That negates a common misconception that leads neighbors to oppose affordable developments.

An article in the Economic Development Journal addresses the same topic, detailing how affordable housing development contributes to communities’ economic competitiveness.

Affordable housing boosts educational achievement

Another paper by the Center for Housing Policy highlighted the significant impacts of affordable housing on young people’s education. Stable housing keeps children from losing ground if they have to change schools often due to frequent moves. Housing affordability may allow parents to work fewer hours, giving them more time and energy to participate in their children’s education. The provision of affordable units can allow families to move to better school districts where students have more educational opportunities. Affordable housing developments can lift up neighborhoods and communities, acting as a locus for enrichment activities such as after-school programs.

Transform board member Elizabeth Madrigal cited her family’s move to more affordable housing as the springboard that allowed her to further her education. Her family’s experience of the transformative power of stable, affordable housing inspired her to work in the field.

We need our state legislators and governor to guarantee the future funding for the Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities Program (AHSC) that is proven to reduce emissions by building infill affordable housing near transit across the state. Take action now to show your support for this critical issue!