Publisher’s Forum
A Venn diagram where education, immigration and housing converge
By Lawrence Amaturo
I ’m told the Democratic Party’s presidential candidate just “loves” Venn diagrams… those round or oval shapes that intersect with other round or oval shapes to illustrate how seemingly disparate ideas have commonality. And while I don’t agree with Kamala Harris’ views, I kinda like Venn diagrams myself! Using a Venn diagram can help us understand the issues we face with immigration, housing and education. The nexus of these three issues reveals both the problems they pose and the solutions they offer. Think about it: The housing crisis in Northern California, especially for our lowest-income residents, has been exacerbated by the need to shelter the millions of our undocumented residents. Drive down any neighborhood in the lower-income areas of your town around 6 p.m. and you’ll see four, five, six or more vehicles parked near each home. That’s the recurring evidence of multiple families sharing single family homes. Let’s not fool ourselves, homes like these are housing folks from all walks of life and ethnicity throughout our country. Rent rates always rise when demand outstrips supply, forcing residents to live in close quarters, share expenses and coexist with family and (sometimes) strangers. Yet regrettably—and this is where a second Venn diagram comes into play—housing and construction is in dire need of skilled workers. Many of these congested and overpriced homes are full of talented, dynamic people. People who want to work. And, currently, we have too few talented and motivated workers to build our housing stock. Lisa Wittke Schaffner, director of the North Coast Builders Exchange, believes that for every five skilled laborers leaving construction in California, only one new laborer is entering. The obvious result of this phenomenon leads to fewer construction projects and higher construction costs. And that’s where the Education Venn circle merges so well with the Immigration and Housing circles! The proper recruiting, training and skills development for the construction industry will ease this construction crisis, create more housing and reduce rents as supply and demand get into better balance. In this issue of NorthBay biz , we feature those making a real and sustainable difference in educating trades people.
Oscar Rojas, owner of Rojas Painting in Petaluma, is one of them. Frank Cuneo, director of the North Bay Building Trades Council’s Trade Introduction Program, is another. Isela Gaona, a case manager for Santa Rosa’s Kerosky & Gallelli Law is yet another. Hispanic workers make up roughly 55% of California’s entire construction force. And while I believe that the employment of undocumented workers over American citizens is a contributing factor to stagnant wages, unfair business practices, employee mistreatment and generally unfair to those who follow the law, I also concede that so many of them are such a net positive to our society. They are, quite literally, helping us dig out of the problems we face. Many are so well trained, so dedicated to their craft, and so dedicated toward making the most of their American experience. While I wish it weren’t so, there are no simple answers. That’s where our team of writers and editors comes in—they highlight the problems, dissect the issues and allow our readers to make their own decisions. We provide the data, echo the voices of those often unheard, and let you sort out your ”take” on the issue. You’ll see that in Jessica Zimmer’s story, “From Laborer to Owner,” referenced above, as well as Jean Saylor Doppenberg’s piece, “Can STARs Tear Down the ‘Paper Ceiling’?,” about how some local recruiters are shifting their views on college-degree requirements. Meanwhile, early education moves to the front of the class in “One for the Books,” Janet Perry’s story about a Sonoma County program to get young students excited about reading. Writer’s block often leads me to sometimes struggle to begin my column, these pros who surround me suffer no such fate! I close my thoughts to you with a calming reassurance that our team guides its readers and never hamstrings. Tell us your side of the story at LAmaturo@ MySonomaMedia.com
Publisher’s note: A few of those policy views Harris and I differ upon include: Immigration, taxes, defunding the police, domestic energy, international trade, war in the middle east and inflation.
August 2024
NorthBaybiz 11
Made with FlippingBook Digital Publishing Software