A brand new survey shows that California renters are twice as unhappy about their financial situation as Golden State homeowners.

The Public Policy Institute of California statewide survey for September reinforces a very important economic divide – renters vs. homeowners. Consider that 44% of renters told pollsters they were “dissatisfied” with their financial situation, in comparison with just 22% of dissatisfied homeowners.

Or consider the flip side of the query: Only 8% of California renters say they’re “very satisfied” with their funds, in comparison with 26% of house owners, based on surveys.

Looking ahead to the following six months, 26% of California renters expected a stronger financial situation in comparison with 20% of house owners. But 24% of renters expect their financial situation to be weaker, in comparison with 22% of householders.

If asked for a bigger image view, California renters were more optimistic in regards to the statewide economy over the following 12 months.

The survey found that 63% of renters expected “bad times,” versus 60% of householders, in comparison with 36% of renters who expected “good times,” versus 38% of householders.

The national outlook was equally bleak: 63% of California renters expected “bad times” for the U.S. economy, in comparison with 59% of house owners. Compare that to the 35% of renters who’ve “good times” in mind in comparison with 37% of householders.

Blue hue

Note that California renters are likely to get bluer on this blue state.

When asked about their views on political parties, 51% of California renters said “positive” toward Democrats, in comparison with 48% of house owners. Republicans got 22% “approval” from renters, in comparison with 30% from owners.

Interestingly, when asked about satisfaction with political parties overall, the necessity for a 3rd party was probably the most common answer, given by 66% of California renters and 69% of house owners.

Conclusion

High-cost California makes for a poor outlook whatever the economic or political cycle.

This survey found that there are only a few comfortable people, no matter their housing status. Think in regards to the common “right direction or wrong direction” query that pollsters prefer to ask.

When it involves the state's atmosphere, renters in California had barely less negative feelings – 53% said they were going the unsuitable way, versus 45% saying they were going the fitting way. That's just a little more optimistic than the owners: 56% say unsuitable, 42% say right.

There is an excellent more unified sentiment towards the country: 71% of each California renters and homeowners oppose development within the US. (FYI: 28% of renters said the fitting direction, versus 26% of householders.)

Jonathan Lansner is a business columnist for the Southern California News Group. He will be reached at jlansner@scng.com

Originally published: October 9, 2024 at 8:41 am

politics

Just a few hundred people attended the Norfolk Select Board meeting Wednesday night to voice concerns in regards to the state's plan to open an emergency shelter at the previous prison there.

Residents said they’re concerned about adding more children to the already overcrowded and underfunded school system.

“If that happens, there is no going back. “Our schools are already overcrowded, we have a budget problem – this is not a humanitarian issue, this is a math issue, this can't happen,” said John Semas, a Norfolk resident Boston 25 News.

Another woman said in a public comment, “Now we're thinking about adding more kids to our already overburdened teachers and expecting it to just work out?”

Others worried about bullying of the new students.

“As one of the few Black families in this city, I feel compelled to ask this question because I don’t want these children to be targeted,” one other woman said in a public comment.

But not everyone was against the brand new animal shelter.

“These people are desperate and trying to find a better life for themselves and their children,” said Taiese Bingham, a Norfolk resident NBC10. “This community talks so much about humanity, how great we are and how welcoming we are, and I found the exact opposite of that.”

The meeting follows Gov. Maura Healey's announcement Monday that the state will use the previous prison as a brief emergency shelter for families experiencing homelessness, partially because of the influx of migrants into the state.

The Bay State Correctional Center was decommissioned in 2015 and stays in good condition, officials told the Associated Press. The shelter will house as much as 140 families or 450 people eligible for emergency assistance.

The site is anticipated to be operational next month, in line with the state. The state will remove barbed wire from the fence around the ability and the gates will remain open so families can leave and return if mandatory.

The shelter is anticipated to operate for six months to a 12 months.

Many people on the meeting also expressed concerns in regards to the impact of the influx of families on the small town of about 11,000 people.

“Background checks have been done on everyone,” James Lehan, a district supervisor for the town of Norfolk, said throughout the meeting. “There are no criminals. There are no sex offenders.”

Norfolk's fire chief told Boston 25 News that the town can also be expecting a 5 to 10 percent increase in calls, which could impact residents' response times.

Massachusetts state Rep. Marcus Vaughn, a Republican who represents Norfolk's ninth District, said WCVB He only discovered in regards to the plan on Friday. As the town tries to get money from the state, he urged residents to stay civil.

“At the end of the day, the community just needs to come together,” Vaughn said.