Affordable housing, healthcare among Sonoma women’s top issues

Sonoma County study finds women worry most about housing and healthcare.|

Affordable healthcare and low-income housing are the top concerns of women in Sonoma County, according to a report released this week which culminated a year-long study that included a survey of incarcerated women.

The Sonoma County Commission on the Status of Women conducted the Voices of Sonoma County Women survey and held listening sessions between January 2019 and January 2020. Overall, women are concerned about access to quality, affordable childcare, and a lack of mental health services.

The report breaks down issues according to race, income and housing status.

Findings in income status found that women with incomes less than $20,000 per year worry about affordable housing, poverty and substance abuse or addiction. For women whose income is more than $100,000 per year their concerns focus on issues such as retirement, care of elderly parents, and how many women are in positions of leadership.

Broken out by race, the top issues for women who identify as Latinx or Black are a lack of low-income housing; white women worry about a lack of affordable healthcare; Native American or Alaska Native women are most concerned about domestic violence; and Asian American women look at women in leadership positions in the county as a concern.

The survey, shared broadly online and via hard copy, included women housed at the Sonoma County Main Adult Detention Facility, and listening sessions were held in each of the county’s supervisorial districts.

The study found that prior to the pandemic one theme arose among all women: having a place to gather, such as a community center where people could participate in forming support groups, education and training, or share and access ideas and information on resources.

The Commission on the Status of Women intends to expand its reach and subject matter for the 2021 survey. The report is being shared with organizations, the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors and individuals throughout the county.

For more information on this project, visit the commission’s website sococsw.org. The commission may be contacted through email at sococsw@sonoma-county.org.

Contact Anne at anne.ernst@sonomanews.com.

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