More housing and jobs could help normalize traffic

The results of some of my recent surveys, and comments that I have heard around town, show me that some residents have rather stark views regarding traffic, housing and jobs.

While most people agree that we are in the midst of a housing crisis, a large number of respondents in my recent survey (about 43 percent) stated that they do not want any new housing construction because they believe an increase in the number of people in Concord would add to traffic congestion.

Many also indicated that any new affordable housing would result in an increase in the number of poor people living in Concord, which they say would not only increase traffic but would result in more societal problems. I wonder if the term “societal problems” reflects only a concern for the tax dollars that would be used to help the less fortunate, or is it really a euphemism for ethnic and racial conflicts.

Another related question is whether new jobs brought into the city through economic development should include retail, seasonal, entry-level or other lower wage jobs. Members of the City Council and other leaders have advocated for “good paying, middle-class jobs” – not lower wage retail, restaurant and other entry-level jobs. Again I wonder if the fear of more traffic, this time by poor people, is even more frightening to some than a lineup of Teslas on Ygnacio Valley Road.

An additional sign that we are in an abnormal housing situation is that people are co-housing more than ever before. Kids and grandkids are not moving out or they are moving back into their parents’ or grandparents’ homes because they cannot afford today’s rents or the payments on a new home.

Similarly, families are doubling up in apartments and homes, and there is a boom in unrelated roommate situations.

This all results in overcrowding, with stress to both the physical structures and the neighborhoods. The single-family neighborhoods, where kids were traditionally raised in three- and four-bedroom homes, are now jammed with four and five cars per home – with parking issues the new territory for Hatfield and McCoy neighborhood feuds.

Those 43 percent who do not want new housing are not considering that if more housing were constructed, including more affordable housing, the number of people in co-housing could be reduced. That would have zero impact on traffic, since these people are already here.

Meanwhile, I find the downright class elitism espoused about low-income jobs disturbing. We have thousands of people in this city who are struggling with their low-income jobs, especially when combined with high transportation costs. If we could bring more of those retail, seasonal or other lower wage workers to Concord who are currently working elsewhere, we could facilitate more pedestrian or bicycle commuting, thereby helping to reduce traffic.

This would also allow more people to work in their own community, thereby building up social connections to their city.

I believe we can and should move a little more back to normalization of traffic by providing a combination of different opportunities for both housing and jobs. Put NIMBY back in the backyard garden, and do not give it fertile bias to grow.

Send comments to EdiBirsan@gmail.com or 510-812-8180.