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teens that have been kicked out of their homes by parents when the youth's sexual orientation was <br /> discovered. <br /> A family of four is considered extremely low income (30% of area median income adjusted for <br /> household size), with an annual income of $26,790 (Feb. 2009) in Alameda County. The National <br /> Low Income Housing Coalition found that it would take $21.02 per hour at 40 hours per week <br /> ($43,720 annually) to afford the median fair market rent for a one bedroom unit. <br /> Present California minimum wage is $8.00 per hour. The California Employment Development <br /> Department estimates that seven out of ten occupations have mean wages below the County's <br /> housing wage for two bedroom housing ($21.02 /hour). The housing wage is the hourly wage rate <br /> needed to afford a fair market rent unit using 30% of total monthly income. The majority of new <br /> jobs projected between 2006 and 2016 will pay $18,168 (Combined Food Preparation and Serving <br /> workers including fast food) to $93,646 (Nurses) annually. The majority of these positions have no <br /> or very limited benefits and opportunity for advancement or training. <br /> The lack of affordable housing is the other major component of raising rates of homelessness. Some <br /> of the economic and social dynamics of the area that contribute to the causes of homelessness <br /> include: 1) low vacancy rates; 2) very high housing costs; 3) the many entry level jobs in the local <br /> economy have shifted from manufacturing to retail sales /services (see above); 4) high levels of <br /> unemployment and 5) residential foreclosures. <br /> Affordable housing units are making a modest gain in Alameda County. Between 2001 and 2007, <br /> there were 4,960 affordable subsidized housing units gained in Alameda County; for a total of <br /> 23,655 affordable subsidized housing units. <br /> The waiting list for the Housing Authority of Alameda County will be reopened this year (2010). It <br /> last opened in December 2001. Excessive waiting periods for public housing means that people live <br /> in housing that is more expensive than they can afford and may become homeless. This means more <br /> people must live on the streets or in their vehicles. In many cases, homeless people are more likely to <br /> live with relatives, friends or in other unsuitable types of housing than be on the street. <br /> For the past two decades, Alameda County, cities in the county, non profits, the faith -based <br /> community, businesses and concerned citizens have responded to the needs of homeless youth, <br /> families, and single adults. This response has included food, clothing, transportation, shelter, <br /> housing, employment related services and health related services. As the need for services continued <br /> to grow, the need to formalize the funding and operation of homeless service became a necessity. <br /> Over time, many valuable partnerships and organizational links have been created to meet the needs <br /> of the homeless individuals and families. <br /> Responding to the need for comprehensive planning and coordination of services for the homeless, <br /> the 45- member Alameda County -wide Homeless Continuum of Care Council was formed in 1997. <br /> In 2004, a unique collaboration was formed among community stakeholders, cities and Alameda <br /> Strategic Plan FY2010 FY2014 <br /> City of Pleasanton <br /> Page 19 <br />