Why This Matters
How does displacement affect our communities?
Displacement impacts all of us.
Without enough safe, healthy, and affordable housing for people of all incomes, we lose our support systems and economic vitality.
Impacts to people who are displaced
- Difficulty finding another affordable home (plus it can be expensive to move)
- Longer commutes (added cost and time)
- Loss of access to jobs, schools, social support networks, and more
- Pressure to double up with family, live in their car or on the street
- Significant impacts to their economic, social, physical, and mental health
Impacts to remaining friends and neighbors
- Loss of social and support networks
- Struggle to help friends or family find new homes
- Worry about being the next to go or feel a sense of guilt for being able to remain
- A sense of loss, sadness, and disconnection from their community
Impacts to local businesses
- Loss of customers
- Loss of employees
- Struggles to find employees, especially for manual labor and service jobs
- Pressure to close or relocate
Impacts to the larger community
- Loss of affordable shopping, food, and services
- A sense of lost community or a breakdown of social and support networks
- Loss of cultural and economic diversity
- Loss of school-age children, impacting classroom wellness and school budgets
When displacement affects our communities ...
Losing community members has a large impact for all of us. Without enough safe, healthy, and secure housing for people of all incomes, we lose diversity and economic vitality and people we love have to leave.
When families and members of our workforce are forced to leave their homes and neighborhoods, it can have big, long-term impacts on our work, businesses, social networks, and health.
People without a lot of money or resources often end up living on the street, in their car, or doubled up with friends and family. Some can find other housing, but often in other neighborhoods or other cities—far from their jobs, families, friends, places of worship, and other community networks.
What’s happening in your community?
Find your local page for links to their housing element, contact details, and other information.
What’s happening in San Mateo County?
San Mateo County is facing serious challenges that could harm its long-term vitality.
Without action, our community risks a future of fewer economic opportunities, greater racial and economic disparities, and a declining population, particularly among working-age residents and young families.
Check back soon for more in-depth information about displacement in San Mateo County.
In San Mateo County, 2022
84% of unhoused people were residents of the County when they lost their home
60% of unhoused people were experiencing homelessness for the first time
San Mateo County needs diverse housing solutions that accommodate residents of all life stages, demographics, and income levels.
We know a lot about how displacement works, but we need to understand what steps we can take to address its impacts and prevent further displacement.
Let’s Talk Housing is a locally led, community-centered engagement and education platform created to help understand and address displacement in San Mateo County.
What can we do about displacement?
Anti-displacement strategies aim to help people stay in their homes and neighborhoods and to keep communities stable.
Get Involved
Take the Community Survey!
Tell us what you think about displacement and how it is affecting you and your community.
Your feedback is important and will help local staff understand how best to address displacement in our communities.
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You’ll be updated when new resources are added to the website or when there are new opportunities to get involved.
Check out other ways to get involved and learn more:
Connect to Your Community
Learn more about the housing element, get local information about housing and connect with local staff.
Browse Resources
Download informational handouts and connect with organizations that are working to prevent displacement.