Fewer Good Jobs, Costly Housing Hinder Growth

Rising housing costs and a jobs-housing imbalance that forces longer commutes from other communities is making it tough for growth, according to a UC Santa Barbara economic forecast.

The area's enviable quality of life--a clean and attractive environment, low crime and good schools--is tempered by eroding numbers of high-paying jobs and a steady decline in housing affordability, the report said.

Cities continue to lose ground in creating jobs in higher-paying segments of the economy, it said.