New Report Unveils Critical Insights into Napa Valley’s Housing Crisis

Napa, CA - In a critical effort to address the escalating housing crisis in Napa Valley, Generation Housing, in collaboration with the County of Napa, has released an in-depth report titled "State of Housing in Napa Valley." This comprehensive study sheds light on the multifaceted challenges and opportunities within the local housing market, offering a clear path forward for policymakers and community leaders. The report was ordered by the Board of Supervisors in 2023 as a planning tool, a resource for the County's jurisdictional and nonprofit partners, and looking ahead to regional investments.

The "State of Housing in Napa Valley" report will be presented to the Napa County Board of Supervisors at their meeting on Tuesday, May 21.

Jennifer Palmer, Director of Housing and Homeless Services for Napa County, highlighted the significance of the findings, stating, "The 'State of Housing in Napa Valley' report provides context and insight into the urgent need for a strategic and collaborative approach to understanding and addressing our housing crisis. The report is a vital step because we need to first understand the specific needs of our community, particularly our low- and moderate-income households and workforce, in order to take actionable steps to ensure everyone has access to housing that is safe and affordable."

Jen Klose, Executive Director of Generation Housing, added, "This report reveals the stark reality that Napa Valley's housing market is not keeping pace with the needs of its residents. The mismatch between available housing and community needs is driving families out of the area and contributing to significant socio-economic disparities. We must prioritize increasing housing production and diversifying our housing stock to create a more equitable and sustainable future for Napa Valley."

The report was shaped by the insights and expertise of a Steering Committee, convened at the request of Napa County's Department of Housing & Homeless Services. The committee was formed under the shared belief that housing solutions are fundamental to sustaining the county's renowned workforce, supporting families rooted in Napa Valley, and accommodating young adults facing a vastly different housing landscape than previous generations. Representing the industries and people at the heart of the Napa Valley economy, the committee has been on the front lines of addressing the housing crisis and its ripple effects throughout the community.

Members of the Steering Committee have actively engaged in various initiatives to combat the housing crisis, from advocating for subsidized childcare to help families manage housing costs, to supporting workforce housing for industry workers. They have also been adjusting work schedules to accommodate longer commutes, expanding service eligibility for those with moderate incomes, and addressing the health impacts of chronic stress caused by severe housing cost burdens.

Pablo Zatarain, Executive Director, Fair Housing Napa Valley, shared, "The 'State of Housing in Napa Valley' report is a crucial document that highlights the pressing need for equitable housing solutions. At Fair Housing Napa Valley, we see firsthand the struggles that low- and moderate-income families face in securing affordable housing. This is especially true for members of state and federal protected classes, who often face linguistic, cultural, accessibility, and related barriers to equal housing choice. This report underscores the importance of continuing to increase housing production in Napa- supplemented by equitable policies and resources- to ensure that everyone, regardless of income or background, has a fair chance at stable housing in our community."

Rebecca Webster, Corporate and Foundation Relations Officer, Providence Queen of the Valley Medical Center adds, "As healthcare providers, we witness the direct impact of housing instability on the health and well-being of our patients. The 'State of Housing in Napa Valley' report clearly illustrates the interconnectedness of housing and health. By addressing the housing crisis, we are not only improving living conditions but also enhancing the overall health outcomes of our community. This report is a call to action for all of us to work together towards sustainable housing solutions."

Jeri Hansen, President and CEO, Napa Chamber of Commerce emphasizes, "The findings in the 'State of Housing in Napa Valley' report are a wake-up call. Providing more housing choices is one of the most important things we can do to help local businesses hire and retain employees and sustain our local economy. At the Napa Chamber of Commerce, we are committed to supporting initiatives that increase housing availability and affordability. This report provides a roadmap for how we can collaborate across sectors to make it possible for people who work in Napa to live in Napa. This in turn supports a vibrant community and economy."

Report Highlights:

The report paints a complex picture of Napa Valley's housing landscape. Napa Valley's workforce is largely comprised of low- and moderate-income households, many of whom are families with children in need of affordable and appropriately sized housing. Simultaneously, the Valley has a growing population of smaller, older households aging faster than the statewide average. These older residents often remain in large homes because the high prices and limited availability of smaller homes make downsizing unfeasible.

If Napa Valley had a greater overall housing supply and diversity, prices would be lower, allowing older households on fixed incomes to move into smaller, more affordable homes. This shift would free up larger homes for younger families and new workers. Unfortunately, the Valley suffered from nearly a decade of low housing production following the Great Recession, leading to skyrocketing home and rent prices and a significant mismatch in the housing stock.

The scarcity of homes is further exacerbated by a high rate of vacant units that serve as second homes, the highest in the North Bay. This limited supply forces younger, larger households to seek affordable housing outside of Napa Valley, relocating to areas like Solano, Sonoma, or Lake County, or even the Central Valley. In these conditions, wealthier and higher-income households often outcompete lower-income residents for the available housing.

This situation has led to several severe consequences: high rates of cost burden for lower-income households, overcrowding among low-income and Latino households, low homeownership rates for younger, lower-income, and Latino residents, a workforce relocating outside county lines, population decline, and a decrease in households with children, particularly young children.

The report emphasizes the urgent need to increase housing production and diversify the housing stock to mitigate these issues and build a resilient community where everyone can thrive.

For more information or to access the full report once it has been posted, please visit the Generation Housing reports page.

About Generation Housing:

Generation Housing leads the movement for more, more diverse, and more affordable housing in the North Bay.

The fires of 2017 exacerbated what was already a housing crisis in Sonoma County. Despite some policy advancements, there are still roadblocks and opposition to the development of much-needed housing. Generation Housing was incubated and is directed by cross-sector leaders representing healthcare, education, environment, and business who agree that a housing advocacy organization to promote housing policy and educate the public is a crucial missing component in our local housing development.

Since its inception, Generation Housing has led efforts to bring 170 million dollars in funding for affordable and infill housing to Sonoma County, successfully supported 4,397 housing units, nearly half of which are either legally designated as "affordable" or are "affordable by design." Generation Housing launched the #WeAreGenH public will building campaign that educates the public and policymakers on the intersectional importance of housing and solutions to housing barriers. It has performed critical research to help local policymakers make evidenced-based decisions and built a "Gen H Action Team" that provides a consistent counter voice to organized opposition to housing projects.

Learn more about Generation Housing here.

Vision

We envision vibrant communities where everyone has a place to call home and can contribute to an equitable, healthy, and resilient Sonoma County.

Mission

Generation Housing champions opportunities to increase the supply, affordability, and diversity of homes throughout Sonoma County. We promote effective policy, sustainable funding resources, and collaborative efforts to create an equitable, healthy, and resilient community for everyone.

Public link

Please use the above public link if you want to share this noodl on another website.