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Press Release

February 26, 2004

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California County Residents Still Face Long Commutes—Infill an Alternative Says Coalition

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Contra Costa and Solano County residents have the 9th and 10th longest commutes in the nation according to data from the American Community Survey released today by the U.S. Census Bureau. Many more California residents are facing longer commutes this year than last.

"Lengthening commutes and worsening traffic don't happen by accident: they are the direct result of building housing far from public transit and the places where people work and go shopping," said Tom Steinbach, Executive Director of the Greenbelt Alliance.

Californian's Seeking Affordable Housing

"People are looking for safe, affordable places to live. People would like to live closer to their work but the full range of housing choices is not currently available in most job centers," remarked Sande George, Executive Director of American Planning Association, California Chapter.

"Longer commutes mean higher transportation costs for the working families that can least afford it," noted Francisco Estrada of the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund (MALDEF).

Infill Development the Solution

"It is a statewide phenomenon," Julie Spezia, Executive Director of California Futures Network said, "The lack of affordable housing choices close to jobs is forcing more people to seek housing farther from their jobs. While lowering their housing costs, it is impacting California's quality of life through loss of productivity on the job, adding family pressures, and worsening our air quality. A better solution is allowing more housing in existing communities."

"Some might claim new highways are the solution, but that will only make the problem worse—forcing more people to drive longer distances to get to jobs. Infill development that provides a range of housing choice and mixed use development is part of the solution. This means focusing jobs at our current and future transit stations rather than scattering them at office parks; creating mixed-use, walkable communities, and providing more affordable housing in counties that are close to jobs and services," said Charles Mason of the Surface Transportation Policy Project.

The Infill Coalition is a working group of non-profit organizations and legislators interested in promoting infill development and revitalizing existing communities.

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The February 25, 2004 Census Data Report and press release can be found at:

http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/

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For 50 years, Greenbelt Alliance has been the San Francisco Bay Area's advocate for open spaces and vibrant places, with offices in San Francisco, San Jose, Walnut Creek, Fairfield, and Santa Rosa. www.greenbelt.org