Sidelined from Silicon Valley’s affluence, South Coast residents seek emergency rental assistance Most people agree that it’s been a good year for the American economy, which has the lowest unemployment rate since 2002 However, in Pescadero, La Honda, San Gregorio, Loma Mar and other small communities on the South Coast, low-Income residents are persevering through the most frightening period of economic uncertainty they have ever seen. That’s because the economic boom has translated into record housing scarcity in their communities. When a trailer or apartment does become available, the rent is often so high that even dual-income families struggle to pay it, along with utilities, groceries, gas, and a myriad of other expenses. In the past year, Puente has seen many requests for emergency assistance with rent and utility bills. Puente acts quickly to help meet financial gaps with County and federal funds as well as its own general funds. Just this year, one family – 2 parents and 3 school-aged children – endured nearly a year of homelessness after being evicted from their Pescadero apartment when renovations needed to be done. Nearly anywhere outside the Bay Area, a working family would have been able to find somewhere else to live. Instead, they laid their heads where they could… in their car, on the floor of a friend’s one-room home to keep their kids in school and some semblance of normalcy in their lives. The family searched for months for a vacant home. Eventually they found one. Puente then provided assistance for the rental deposit and first month’s rent. 9,639 units of safety net services 14