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WORKING DRAFT FOR HCD REVIEW <br />NEEDS ASSESSMENT 3-21 SAN LEANDRO HOUSING ELEMENT <br />Chart 3-4: Unemployment in Alameda County and San Leandro, 2004-2014 <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Unemployment can translate to economic hardship for households and an increased risk of foreclosure, <br />overcrowding, and homelessness. While the city’s unemployment rate is below the state average and has <br />improved since the last Housing Element, a significant number of households are still affected by job and <br />income loss in any given year. <br /> <br />The narrative above focuses on the characteristics of San Leandro’s labor force. Another aspect of <br />employment relates to the jobs located within the city. According to the most recent projections from the <br />Association of Bay Area Governments, there were 39,980 jobs in San Leandro in 2010, with an <br />anticipated 43,410 jobs in 2015. The estimate for 2015 is still lower than the 44,370 jobs that were in San <br />Leandro as of 2000. Based on ABAG data, the city lost over 4,000 jobs during the recession. <br />Implementation of local economic development initiatives, including the installation of a fiber optic loop <br />(Lit San Leandro) and the development of the new Kaiser Medical Center, have erased most of that loss <br />and created thousands of new jobs in the last four years. <br /> <br />San Leandro continues to have a relatively large industrial base, with nearly 6,600 manufacturing jobs <br />and 5,100 wholesale trade jobs according to the most recent published U.S. economic census. As noted <br />above, many of the city’s jobs are in relatively low wage sectors. For example, San Leandro has nearly <br />5,600 retail sales jobs and 2,200 accommodation and food service jobs. However, it also supports a <br />growing number of jobs in higher wage sectors, such as professional, scientific and technical services <br />(1,000 jobs), and health care (4,100 jobs). <br /> <br />The ratio between jobs and households in a city is an important indicator of housing needs. Ideally, the <br />number of jobs and employed residents should be balanced, since this potentially can reduce commute <br />costs and provide more money for housing and other expenses. There are other benefits—better air <br />quality, less congestion, and greater productivity as fewer hours are spent on the highways. In 2010, there <br />were about 40,200 employed residents and 40,000 jobs in San Leandro. This is considered an optimal <br />balance by Bay Area standards. However, many of the jobs in the city are not filled by San Leandro