Expensive Housing at the Expense of Basic Needs

A recent study found that "[r]ising housing costs have fueled a dramatic increase in living expenses for East Bay residents and left a growing number of families earning less than what they need." The study uses the self-sufficiency standard, rather than outdated poverty measures from the 1960's to gauge the disparity between household incomes and costs. According to the study's researcher, 'Costs are growing faster than people's income...It means people are doubling up and people are working two jobs.'"

Thanks to Connie Chung