With thousands of workers and their families living at greater distances from their employment, if current growth patterns persist, the South Coast can expect to see more traffic and related air pollution, as well as pressure to develop agricultural land and open spaces. Add to that the number of people living in crowded, undesirable circumstances, and we will continue to experience stress on our community infrastructure and families.

Dismayed by this problem, CEC convened the South Coast Livable Communities project, which urged City and County officials to take stronger action to achieve a regional balance between jobs and housing. One of the project's key principles is that "a range of housing opportunities and choices are provided for people at all income levels, ages and abilities, with special emphasis on low income and workforce housing." For more information about this project, email us.

Read our Board's policy statement on this and other land use issues. Also, read about the human impact of this housing crisis by downloading "The South Coast Housing Crisis," "Where Do We Grow From Here?" and "Housing Shortages Hit Home" (see page 8).