Affordable Housing Week in Santa Clara County - May 14-21

Did You Know?...

1. The median price of a home in Santa Clara County is $664,000 ( as of January 2005) and only 22% of County residents can afford a home.
2. Over 200,000 low-income households are in need of affordable housing countywide, including over 80,000 extremely low-income families.
3. More than 43,000 County residents pay over half of their income for housing (2000 Census).
4. A renter needs an annual gross income of $47,268 to qualify for a 2-bedroom unit.
5. Santa Clara County is the least affordable place in California to rent an apartment. Fair market rent in 2005 for a two-bedroom unit averages $1,313 per month.
6. Annual population and employment growth data for 2003 showed a 162,000 deficit of housing units in Santa Clara County. (Source: Charities Housing)

Charities Housing, as part of their committment to developing and supporting affordable housing will be sponsoring an Affordable Housing Week in Santa Clara County from May 14 through May 21. Offered during the week is an extensive list of useful and informative activities.

Included in the Calendar of Events are free home ownership seminars for first-time buyers of all income levels which will offer information, financial education, credit tips, and goal planning. These eleven evening and daytime workshops will offered at locations throughout the County. Included also are tours of affordable housing, a Homeless Services Fair in Plaza de Cesar Chavez, a photo exhibit, and a groundbreaking ceremony for new Habitat for Humanity Projects.

For information, visit the website at www.affordablehousingweek.org. For information in Spanish, contact Sandra Nava at (408) 846-0290.

Co-sponsored by Citibank, Wells Fargo, Housing Trust of Santa Clara County, and Silicon Valley Citizens for Affordable Homes.