Despite state goals that promote development in transit-rich areas, affordable housing sites are often not located in regions conducive to public transportation. Composite housing and transportation cost indexes suggest that nearly fifty percent of families are cost burdened if both housing and transportation expenses are considered. Minimizing the need for personal automobiles and maximizing the desirability and convenience of public transit can address cost burdens for affordable housing residents.
Through support from the The UC Institute of Transportation Studies (UC ITS), this project examines transportation access and cost burdens associated with affordable housing in San Diego County. Specifically, it quantifies the cost of daily travel needs for affordable housing residents in San Diego, California, especially seniors aged 62 and older. The project team analyzed trip travel time for the entire San Diego region using activity-based model data, and also summarized results from surveys of residents in six affordable housing buildings, three of which provide supportive housing to seniors. Overall, this research found that affordable housing residents use public transit more often than those who have access to a car. But traveling by public transit takes much longer than traveling by personal vehicle. Survey respondents under age 62 expressed greater dissatisfaction with the cost to ride public transit, compared to seniors, and they were also more likely to express dissatisfaction if they were working. Seniors were more likely to express dissatisfaction with the conditions of public transit stops.