(August 12, 2025 — Marina, CA) — Dedicated to actionable solutions for one of our region’s most pressing challenges, Monterey Bay Economic Partnership (MBEP)’s 2025 Workforce Housing Solutions Summit will bring together policymakers, housing developers, and advocates to Seaside’s Oldemeyer Center from 2-5 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 14, for an event that moves beyond the obstacles to mobilize solutions.
Why it matters: Employers cite the high cost of housing in the Monterey Bay region as a significant challenge to their ability to hire and retain a qualified workforce. Housing affordability is a significant stressor on our regional economy: According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition’s 2025 “Out of Reach” report, the Santa Cruz-Watsonville metropolitan area ranks as the least affordable rental market in the nation, with Salinas not far behind, ranking as fifth least affordable region in the nation. Those housing challenges are felt deeply — and daily — by those who live, work, and do business here. Yet our housing challenges continue to compound: From farmworkers to financial analysts, workers in the Monterey Bay region face some of the highest housing costs in the nation.
Whether you’re a small business with just a few employees, a mid-size nonprofit, or a large organization with a payroll of thousands, housing impacts what you need to pay them, how those workers can build a future with your organization, and whether they can build a secure financial future for themselves in this region.
What to expect: Katie Kolitsos, policy consultant for the Office of Speaker Robert Rivas, and leaders from the City of Santa Cruz will lead a special session focused on state budget and legislative updates that directly impact local housing efforts, on-the-ground progress toward Housing Element goals, and local government solutions making a real difference in our region.
- Federal Budget Impacts: Learn how federal housing budgets and programs may shift — and what that means for local projects.
- Housing Elements Progress: A regional check-in on progress toward meeting Housing Element goals.
- Employer-Sponsored Housing Updates and Strategies: Explore new and emerging models for employer-supported housing that can help retain and attract talent.
This dynamic and interactive summit will create connections with change-makers, developers, and policymakers who are actively implementing housing solutions across the region.
MBEP’s Workforce Housing Solutions Summit is the event we need to crystallize regional priorities, to share knowledge, and build the collaborations that can make a difference.
Registration includes an opportunity to connect with fellow leaders immediately following the Summit at our MBEP Summer Mixer (5-6:30 p.m.) for continued conversation and collaboration.
About Monterey Bay Economic Partnership (MBEP):
Monterey Bay Economic Partnership (MBEP) is a regional member-supported nonprofit organization consisting of public, private, and civic entities located throughout the counties of Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz. Founded in 2015, our mission is to improve the economic health and quality of life in the region.