There are more than 170,000 homeless people in California, and Apple is doing its part to remedy the problem. That includes a $2.5 billion commitment to address the housing crisis in its home state.
More than 40,000 Californians currently receive housing support through the projects and programs Apple funds.
Apple doing what it can about California housing crisis
There are many causes for California’s housing crisis. High cost is the most obvious. Housing in San Francisco is 207% more expensive than the U.S average. In Los Angeles, it’s 140% more than the U.S. average.
Apple already spent $1.5 billion of its commitment to easing California’s housing problem. Projects it supports are creating new homes for close to 20,000 people, and another nearly 24,000 more who were at risk of losing their homes have been able to stay housed. The Mac-maker also provides assistance for thousands of first-time homeowners.
Apple’s money went to United Way of Greater Los Angeles to fund the Affordable Housing Initiative to support the creation of affordable housing. The company also partnered with Destination: Home, as well as California Housing Finance Agency and Housing Trust Silicon Valley.
“We are proud to be working side by side with organizations across the state to help ensure communities and families here can thrive,” said Kristina Raspe, Apple’s vice president for global real estate and facilities, in a statement Wednesday. “Our partnerships have helped many across the community move into new homes, and are helping keep many more families in housing.”
A huge problem
But there’s more to the crisis than expensive housing. Jason Elliott, senior adviser on homelessness to Gov. Gavin Newsom, told CNN. “If two-thirds of people on the streets right now are experiencing mental health symptoms, we can’t just pay their rent,” Elliott said.
The state of California already spent $17.5 billion on a wide variety of related projects, with an emphasis on constructing affordable housing as well as the mental health of the homeless population.
