Renters in Los Angeles County are stressed out about the high cost of living and the quality of life overall, according to a survey by the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs.
The latest Quality of Life Index found that 51% of renters in L.A. County are pessimistic about their economic future, while 61% of homeowners feel optimistic.
Zev Yaroslavsky, director of the study, said more than half of those who responded to the survey said housing was a big factor in their rating.
“Housing costs have gone up,” he said.
“And incomes have not gone up anywhere near commensurate with what’s happened to housing.”
One woman told KNX News’ Jon Baird she thinks the cost of living is ridiculous.
“People are damn near homeless and they got degrees,” she said.
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Another woman said she’s had enough. “The paycheck is not covering our foods and expense(s),” she said. “It's too, too expensive.”
The survey also found that 60% of people said homelessness has gotten worse while 10% believe it has gotten better and 20% are more hopeful this year about the improvement of homelessness in the county.
The Quality of Life Index found that the county’s overall rating was at 53, two points lower than last year. This is the second time in three years it fell below the survey's 55 midpoint, according to City News Service.
You can learn more about the study here.
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