Recent developments in Long Beach have underscored the critical importance of protecting our community’s affordable housing stock. Plans to repurpose an old community hospital into a multi-service healthcare campus were delayed due to a state law prioritizing affordable housing developers when selling or leasing surplus land. The nearly century-old hospital did not meet California’s stringent seismic requirements for medical facilities, but was repurposed into a private healthcare campus that met seismic standards for its new use.
This situation highlights the pressing need to ensure the safety of affordable housing in our region, much of which is housed in older buildings. According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, more than 1.3 million households in California qualify as extremely low-income, representing 22% of renters. These renters, often living at or below the poverty level, spend over half of their income on housing, leaving little for essentials like healthcare. Unfortunately, many older buildings—particularly those built in the 1970s or earlier—are more vulnerable to seismic damage, making them a critical focus for retrofitting. As these buildings are often the most affordable to rent, many low-income families are forced to live in these structures, increasing their risk during a major earthquake.
A study published in The Journal of Public Economics found that major earthquakes disproportionately affect lower-income populations. Researchers Nejat Anbarci, Monica Escaleras, and Charles Register discovered strong correlations between wealth and greater resiliency, highlighting the social justice issue that lower-income communities are often the most vulnerable during seismic events. This research calls for stronger efforts to ensure that safety measures like retrofitting are applied equitably, providing greater protection for those who are most at risk.
In Long Beach, where many older buildings remain unretrofitted, these structures put low-income residents in greater danger, increasing the likelihood of displacement and economic hardship following a disaster. Should a major earthquake strike, the economic impact could be devastating—thousands could lose their homes, jobs, and businesses. Many could be forced into temporary shelters or, in the worst-case scenario, face homelessness.
The community’s built environment is fundamental to maintaining quality of life. It provides housing, schools, social services, and commerce. However, much of our affordable housing stock consists of older buildings that are more vulnerable to seismic events. This imbalance presents a significant public safety issue, as wealthier communities enjoy more resilient buildings while the most vulnerable populations remain at greater risk. Incentives are needed to help property owners retrofit older, more affordable buildings, ensuring safer living environments for residents. This shift in how we approach seismic preparedness could significantly reduce the devastating effects of future earthquakes, ensuring our community remains resilient in the face of disaster.
Seismic retrofitting is a highly cost-effective measure to preserve affordable housing. Retrofitting a typical apartment building can cost between $5,000 and $10,000 per unit. In contrast, the cost of replacing affordable housing units lost to earthquakes or other disasters can exceed $575,000 per unit. Protecting affordable housing through retrofitting not only makes financial sense but also ensures that Long Beach’s most vulnerable residents have a safer place to live. When compared to the astronomical costs of recovery and reconstruction, the upfront costs of retrofitting are relatively minor.
If you are concerned about the earthquake safety of your investment property, now is the time to act. Contact Optimum Seismic for a complimentary building assessment. Our expert team will provide you with the information you need to make informed decisions about your property’s seismic safety. Visit optimumseismic.com or call 833-978-7664 to get started today.
