The city of Santa Clarita is often described as safe, family-friendly and prosperous. For many residents, this reputation holds true. But as housing prices continue to rise, many families are feeling financial pressure that threatens the stability that the city prides itself on. Having lived in Santa Clarita my entire life, I have been able to see the city’s evolution over the past two decades: new developments emerge, home values climb, and rental prices follow close behind.
Housing unaffordability is no longer just an economic issue – it has real consequences for residents’ mental and physical well-being. Santa Clarita was once known as a place where people could come to escape the soaring cost of living in the greater Los Angeles area. For many families – including mine – this used to be true.
In the year 2000, my parents bought their four-bedroom, three-bathroom home in Saugus, for approximately $319,000 – a bargain compared with prices in neighborhoods like Burbank and Pasadena. Twenty-five years later, that same home is listed on Zillow for $978,100. This dramatic increase reflects what is happening across Santa Clarita.
Within its community plans, Santa Clarita recognizes that approximately 38% of households in the city are “cost-burdened,” meaning they spend more than 30% of their income on housing. About 17% are severely cost-burdened, spending more than half of their income just to remain housed. These numbers are not abstract; they represent families living under constant financial pressure.
Housing affordability is not simply an economic issue; it is intertwined with public health and social justice. When families spend a disproportionate share of their income on housing, there is little room for error. An unexpected visit to the emergency room, a flat tire on Interstate 5, or a reduction in work hours can create significant stress. Over time, living in a state of constant vigilance takes a toll.
For families with children, the impact is especially profound. Even when parents try to hide their stress, children often absorb it. As a school-based social work intern, I have seen the effects of homelessness and housing instability on students firsthand. Research consistently links financial strain to increased anxiety, behavioral challenges and difficulty concentrating in school. When parents are stretched thin financially and emotionally, family dynamics shift and children feel the impact.
Development and growth are not inherently negative. But when new housing in Santa Clarita primarily targets higher price points without meaningful affordability measures, the gap only widens. Families remain housed, but often at the cost of financial breathing room. Savings shrink, preventative health care gets postponed, and extracurricular activities become harder to afford.
The issue is clear: Santa Clarita’s current approach to growth is not adequately protecting the people who call this city home. If nearly four in 10 households are already cost-burdened, affordability cannot be treated as a secondary consideration. Policy decisions are, in effect, mental health decisions. Inclusionary housing policies, expanded rental assistance programs, and continued investment in affordable units are not just planning strategies – they are tools that can reduce chronic stress for thousands of community members.
Santa Clarita can be both desirable and struggling with affordability. Acknowledging this tension does not diminish the city’s wonderful qualities – it encourages change and strengthens its future.
A thriving community is not just defined by development projects or property values; it is defined by whether residents can live with the stability and dignity they deserve. If we truly value educational success, family well-being, and community health, housing affordability must remain central to local conversation.
Annabella dos Remedios
Santa Clarita
