Anderson Valley Housing Needs Assessment

Our last needs assessment was done in 2009, so in 2022, we set out to do a new survey, focusing on the housing needs of Anderson Valley’s employees. Not surprisingly, the data indicates a workforce housing crisis. Input from winery, school, healthcare, hotel, restaurant, store, and mill employees reveals:

• AV median income is very low, even for Mendocino County

• 93% surveyed have struggled to find housing in AV, citing expense, low housing stock, and poor rental repair

• In the last 3 years, 28% of renters had to vacate their homes:

  • 40% due to raised rents

  • 28% due to houses being sold,

  • 21% due to their rental homes being turned into short term vacation rentals

  • 73% surveyed said they have considered relocating to another area where housing is easier to find

We are currently finishing up our full report of the needs assessment. There will be different versions that will show the impact on all type of workers in AV, healthcare and education workforce, and farm workers.

We need reliable housing if we hope to maintain the services that sustain our quality of life.