Robert J. Landeros is the captain of the Azusa Police Department’s Administrative Division.  Research for this article was conducted during his time at the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training Command College, Class #73. He can be reached at Robert.Landeros@AzusaCA.Gov.

The high cost of housing in California has had repercussions on all aspects of life, including employee recruitment and retention. Nationally, states with the lowest housing costs have an easier time recruiting workers in general. And while staffing shortages are impacting nearly every public service sector, they are potentially life-threatening for public safety.

Without affordable housing, people must commute from distant locations, leading to more time away from family, increased stress, high blood pressure, back pain, weight gain, and other health issues. One study found that even a round-trip commute of 20 miles was associated with higher blood pressure, increasing the risk for heart disease and stroke.

Long commutes also reduce the time people have to rest, spend with their families, and engage in stress-relief activities, which is essential for effective policing and other high-stress jobs. These personal impacts can bleed over into a person’s professional life and impact critical public services.

Case study: Police officers 

Many agencies — including well-funded police agencies — are already feeling the strain of high housing costs. Between June 11, 2021, and June 21, 2021, Police 1 conducted a survey on housing costs and availability. Two-thirds of respondents said that high housing costs are making it difficult to recruit new officers. Nearly a third reported sleeping in hotel rooms, temporary accommodations, or even their vehicles.

This, combined with the high cost of living, can deter potential recruits. Fewer applicants will result in reduced competition and lower chances of recruiting officers who reflect the diversity of the communities they serve. The high cost of living also discourages new recruits from lower socioeconomic backgrounds who may feel they are priced out of the housing market before they even begin to work at a police agency.  

A reduced workforce also means higher workloads for existing officers. During a 2024 interview with NBC Nightly News, Interim Los Angeles Police Chief Dominic Choi said that larger workloads contributed to low officer morale and resulted in longer response times and more overtime due to staffing shortages. As evidence of the severity of their low recruitment numbers, the LA Police Department implemented a $24,000 housing subsidy to attract new police officers.

Police officers suffering from housing insecurity and lack of affordable housing will also experience higher levels of stress and anxiety, further impacting their job performance and increasing burnout.

“I have seen my members impacted by the stress related to long commutes, which is a result of less time with their families and lack of sleep, which leads to fatigue on and off duty,” said Richard Aguirre, vice president of the Azusa Police Officer’s Association. 

The possible consequences for public safety

Fewer officers mean longer response times, reduced community policing, and potentially higher crime rates. In smaller cities where resources are already limited, the loss of even a few officers can create significant gaps in service. The cascading effects of these trends could destabilize communities, particularly in urban centers where the affordability crisis is more acute. It could also lead to strained relationships between the police and the communities they serve, eroding public trust and increasing crime at a time when the public is demanding more transparency and responsiveness.

As crime rises and police agencies struggle to recruit officers, businesses might relocate to safer and more affordable areas. Communities near urban cities could experience a significant decline in economic activity and lower tax revenue, further exacerbating budget issues. The housing crisis could even make communities more economically segregated and make it harder for police to form strong partnerships with the community, as officers no longer live where they police.

Proposed solutions

Given the far-reaching implications of the housing crisis on city services, it is crucial to explore a range of potential solutions. For example: Moberly, Missouri, has a housing allowance for officers and works with rental owners to identify vacancies. Watford City, South Dakota, offers grants and low-interest loans for housing. The Atlanta Police Foundation runs an initiative that allows police officers to live in affordable housing in areas where they serve.

Another possible model is the federal government, which provides a basic housing allowance to its military members. Offering down payment assistance or “silent second” mortgage programs could also make homeownership more accessible for officers. 

However, it will take mountains of local, state, and federal dollars to address the housing crisis. The California Department of Housing and Community Development estimates that 180,000 new housing units need to be built annually just to keep up with population growth and even higher prices.

While streamlining the review process could allow for accelerated development of housing units, there are several other solutions that city leaders should consider. Among them are:  

1. Affordable housing initiatives. Inclusionary zoning policies and subsidized housing could allow people to live closer to their workplaces, reducing commute times and improving job satisfaction. Local governments could explore partnerships with private developers to build affordable housing units reserved for public sector employees, as in the case of Watford City, North Dakota. 
2. Flexible work arrangements. While policing requires a physical presence, allowing for compressed workweeks or remote work for administrative tasks could help alleviate some of the stress police officers and others face. Police agencies can conduct online training sessions and allow officers to participate from home instead of commuting. This would require employee unions to work closely with management to develop schedules and policies that improve officer wellness and the quality of policing services.
3. Investments in technology. Technological advancements, such as 3D-printed homes, modular housing, and prefabricated buildings, could reduce the cost of housing and are already in use. Apart from encouraging their use, local governments could also purchase vacant lots and fund the construction of affordable housing units to sell or rent at discounted prices to employees, requiring them to live in the home for a set period before selling the home.

Like many issues, collaboration between agencies, local governments, private developers, and other experts can also move the needle towards long-term, sustainable solutions that would help law enforcement agencies increase staffing levels and improve the long-term wellness of police officers.

“I think we’re at a critical point to find creative, fiscally responsible, and researched-based housing program options to improve employee wellness and reduce fatigue caused by long commutes amongst our first responders,” said Azusa City Manager Sergio Gonzalez.