There Goes the Neighborhood

I'm losing one of my best employees to the lure of a competitor. Not a competing bail agency, but to a competing town. Yes, that's right, I've been beat out by a city — Sacramento. Not Sacramento, as in center-of-California-politics-and-public-policy Sacramento. But Sacramento, as in there's-plenty-of-homes-for-first-time-home-buyers Sacramento.

I'm sad. Eric came to work for me five years ago. He's good. Real good. He cares. He treats the business as his own. He's honest. He works hard. He's smart. He will be missed.

I'm also sad as a Santa Rosan. For Santa Rosa is losing a bright and energetic mind along with his wife and step-daughter. Better weather, better views, better food, and two good jobs were not enough to keep Eric and his family in Santa Rosa.

As long as young families feel that the American dream of home ownership is hopelessly out of reach in Santa Rosa, there will be many more stories like Eric's. An economist might call it a sustained leakage of labor. Santa Rosans might experience it as the transportation of talent to places far and wide. In Eric's case, it's an example of future leader flight.

Much has been discussed at City Hall lately about rent control. That without it, we will lose the workforce that drives a service economy. But controlling rents does not keep Eric and his family in Santa Rosa. The only way the Eric's of Santa Rosa continue to provide Santa Rosa with the benefits of their skills, talents, and efforts is more housing inventory. Some for rent, some for sale.

Instead of creating artificial conditions that focus on one aspect of the housing shortage, let's focus on fixing the fundamental causes. Let's make it easier for builders to build, which will make it easier for buyers to buy and renters to rent.