Housing is choking our workforce. We’ve got plans — now let’s build.

25,000 new units mandated by 2031

7,200+ already in progress

Pre-approved ADU plans available NOW (cut costs + red tape)

Over 6,000 acres of underutilized government-owned land is on the table for housing

Props to Cox Communications , Laura Capps , and County of Santa Barbara for keeping housing front and center.

The economy’s hot. But local cracks are showing.

Peter Rupert at UC Santa Barbara broke it down:

• GDP is up, inflation isn’t easing

• Fed likely won’t cut rates anytime soon

• Santa Barbara is losing working-age residents — housing and policy are to blame

• A proposed $26/hr ag wage could wipe out $800M+ in local strawberry production

Policy matters. So does economics. Let's not ignore either.

Broadband, wildfires, infrastructure — no more backburner.

Key moves from the County:

• $2.6B broadband expansion (finally) reaching Cuyama

• New evacuation tech and fire-readiness investments

• Upgrades to roads, parks, EV stations, emergency radio — all rolling forward

Infrastructure IS opportunity.

Youth voice = the secret weapon

Huge moment: a message from Girls Inc. of Greater Santa Barbara. Their asks?

Kindness. Housing. Inclusion. Safety.

Boom. That’s leadership. That’s the future talking — and we better be listening.

Bottom line: We’ve got work to do. Let’s go.

What I saw:

• Bipartisan action

• Smart planning (yes, AI!)

• People ready to build instead of blame

Santa Barbara County’s got the blueprint. Now we need the courage to execute.