Santa Barbara County now ranks second-highest in the state for its poverty rate, which affects one in six adults and one in five children.

That was one of the updates shared at Friday’s Upward Mobility Summit organized by CommUnify. The event brought together local government leaders to discuss poverty across the county and how they have attempted to address the issue.

The all-day event was held simultaneously at Santa Barbara City College and Allan Hancock College. The crowd was made up of local activists and nonprofit groups from across the region.

One of the things that needs to be done to address poverty is to change how it is discussed or thought of, former State Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson said during a policy workshop.

“Poverty is a policy. People are not born bad, they are not born lazy, they are not born inept. It’s the thumb that is kept on them by those who have more or the most,” Jackson said.

She also supported the need for progressive taxes and said they allow the government to provide services for the population.

Increasing Cost of Living, Housing Prices

The rising cost of living contributes to the local poverty rate, CommUnify says.

The cost to live in Santa Barbara County and be able to afford basic needs is $111,602, according to data presented at the summit. Basic needs were described as housing, childcare, food, transportation, health care, and taxes.

Currently, there are 50,929 households in the county that fall under this measurement, which is about 42% of local households. Of those households, 92% have a full-time working adult.

The statistics show a sharp geographic divide in child poverty. Children in the North County are twice as likely to face poverty than kids in the South County, CommUnify said.

Also discussed at the summit was the issue of housing and the cost burden it places on families in the county.

Santa Barbara County currently ranks fourth out of all 58 California counties for having the most severe cost burdens for renters. The average rent in the county is $2,554 a month.

Across the county, 55% of renters pay 30% or more of their income on housing. Furthermore, 29% of renters spend more than half of their monthly income on rent.

The price of homes has also skyrocketed in the last decade.

In the city of Santa Barbara, the average price of homes has increased by 42% since 2012.

Homes in Santa Maria have jumped by 77% and home prices increased 58% in Lompoc in that time period.

During a meeting of local leaders, Laura Capps, chair of the Board of Supervisors, said workforce housing projects could help this problem. She cited projects from Cottage Health and the Santa Barbara Unified School District, which are two local employers trying to provide their staff with affordable housing.

The county is working on developing its land to offer housing to employees as well, she said.

“I always say we have to lead by example. If we’re not in the workforce housing game, I have no business telling others that they should be,” Capps said.

She added that all underutilized state and federal land should also be explored as potential sites for workforce housing.

One of the people in attendance was Jack Lorenz, the regional advancement director for DignityMoves. He stated that he enjoyed the summit conversations and agreed with the sentiment that poverty is a policy choice.

“I think overall the speakers did a really great job. I was really thrilled to be here,” Lorenz said.