1 In 10 SMC Residents Can’t Afford Basic Needs, Official Say

REDWOOD CITY, CA — Despite living in one of the nation’s wealthiest counties, one in 10 San Mateo County residents cannot afford basic necessities such as food and housing, according to county officials.

The stark figure was highlighted Tuesday as the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors unanimously adopted a resolution committing the county to a new strategy aimed at improving economic mobility.

“It’s not easy to survive in San Mateo County if you’re a low-wage worker,” said Noelia Corzo, president of the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors. “Our housing costs follow the high-wage industries, and our low-income families get squeezed.”

The Economic Mobility Framework and Economic Mobility Action Plan identifies strategies intended to help residents improve their financial circumstances. The plan was developed by the Shared Prosperity Coordinating Council along with local leaders and community partners.

As part of Tuesday’s vote, supervisors directed county staff to turn the broader economic mobility framework into a concrete action plan for county government. Staff will examine steps including hiring more local workers, directing more county purchasing toward local businesses, creating pathways into higher-paying careers, supporting entrepreneurs, improving housing stability and connecting residents with safety-net programs.

The framework is designed to measure whether those efforts are working. County officials identified three broad prosperity goals and 31 indicators that can be tracked over time, with an emphasis on identifying which groups face the greatest barriers to economic mobility.

“Key leaders across organizations and communities have created a clear path towards economic mobility and we are eager to take the lead,” Corzo said. “Everyone in San Mateo County deserves opportunities to thrive.”

Supervisor Lisa Gauthier, who co-sponsored the resolution with Corzo, said the county's position as one of the area's largest employers gives it an opportunity to address some of those economic challenges directly.

“We have both an opportunity and a responsibility to help create a community where people can thrive, not just make ends meet,” Gauthier said.

County officials are also encouraging cities, agencies and other organizations throughout San Mateo County to make similar commitments and develop their own plans for addressing barriers to economic opportunity.