KSBY News has launched a new focus called the Price of Paradise. The Central Coast certainly is paradise and living here the dream of many. But it also comes at a cost -- one of the highest cost of living areas in the country.
The price of housing, the shortage of and cost of childcare, not to mention finding a job that covers the cost of living -- in one way or another, it affects everyone, including all of us here at KSBY.
This is our Central Coast too and we understand the challenges of living here, so we are doing something different. We are making a commitment to you for the entire year of 2020. A commitment to figure this out with you before the price of paradise soars out of reach.
We've been reporting on the issue consistently and here is some of what we've heard.
"Some people pay more for childcare than they do for the mortgage on their house," said Jim Dantona of the San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce.
"We want to be in a livable space -- that's healthy," said Francisco Ramirez, a Paso Robles renter, after learning he was being evicted from his apartment.
"Diablo Canyon right now employs 1,500 employees and those are good high-paying jobs, so we'll lose those jobs," said Nancy O'Malley from the Diablo Canyon Decommissioning Panel.
We plan to continue to cover the closure of the plant and its effect on the local economy.
We heard about the lack of affordable housing -- some living in conditions so bad the courts had to step in, but instead of fixing the problem apartments, the owners instead decided to close down the complex and sent out eviction notices to tenants.
"They just want a place like everybody else wants where there's not cockroaches and bedbugs eating them up at night," said Stephanie Barclay, an attorney representing the displaced renters.
The list goes on:
- The lack of childcare
- Food insecurities
- And increasing homelessness
But just reporting the news is no longer enough. KSBY News is working with you throughout 2020 to help navigate the challenge and we're committed to uncovering solutions. We want you to know, we're in this together. And, we're listening.
Every one of us at KSBY is committed to addressing issues to help get us through these challenges.
Here's what you can do to help us. We want to hear from you. What are the issues that concern you when it comes to the price of paradise here on the Central Coast?
Email us at news@ksby.com or message us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.
