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San Diego housing costs may be hurting labor force

Posted at 2:29 PM, Jun 12, 2018
and last updated 2018-06-12 21:20:26-04

SAN DIEGO (KGTV) - San Diego’s expensive housing may be keeping businesses from hiring skilled workers.

Cam Schultz has been running Embroid Me in Kearny Mesa 12 years ago. She says it’s not always easy to find the help she needs.

“San Diego's an expensive place to live and we really have to be mindful that the housing shortages we're experiencing and particularly the affordable housing shortage it really affects our ability to grow,” says Schultz.

Schultz lost some workers who needed a job but didn’t live nearby. She says the lack of affordable housing has impacted the pool of eligible candidates.

More than 100 businesses signed a letter from the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce to mayors across the county, asking for help to address the housing crisis.

The letter reads in part:

As employers who are committed to this region, we ask you to urgently and proactively prioritize home-building in your community to ensure that local businesses can retain their valued employees, and so we may continue to invest in the workforce pipelines of the future.

Schultz wants to see affordable housing close to jobs or transit centers.

San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer addressed the housing crisis earlier this year with his Housing SD plan, which was approved by the city council. Changes include incentives for developers, easing some regulations to speed up growth, and building more housing in transit zones.