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• By donating to HEART you will help solve the critical housing problem in San Mateo County by creating housing for people who cannot afford a home.
• A lack of affordable housing affects the teachers who educate our children, the fire fighters who come to our rescue, the young adults who grew up here and are now starting their careers, and the elderly who have worked and contributed but have been priced out of San Mateo County – their community.
• Providing housing that spans all age groups and workers isn't just a nice thing to do, it's a necessary thing to do.
• Who benefits? We all do. Housing builds strong communities. Greater stability in housing also translates into improvement in health and education, and even violence prevention.

» Meet HEART's Generous Donors...

Donations to HEART

It's important to remember that 100% of your donation right now goes to HEART's housing programs. The public members of HEART pay all the administrative costs. Every $1 you donate has the potential to be leveraged to $10 by HEART through a variety of fund raising sources. With your help, HEART has the capability to deliver accessible housing. Please donate and make a difference in your community.

Invite HEART to speak

Executive Director Chris Mohr enjoys telling HEART's story. Please give him a call and invite him to speak about the importance of affordable housing in San Mateo County at your next event.

Get Involved

• Challenge your co-workers and competitors to match your contribution.
• Contribute your time and expertise to HEART's program planning, fundraising, marketing, strategic planning, or policy work.
• Become an ambassador for HEART and make a presentation to your civic group, professional or trade association, neighborhood association, or coworkers.

Housing Builds Community

Problems caused by lack of housing

By 2010, demand for housing in San Mateo County will outstrip supply by at least 20,000 units. At least 16,000 more apartments and 4,000 homes are needed to accommodate people who work or grow up here and want to live here.

San Mateo County has evolved into a vibrant employment center, increasing demand for housing:

• Employment grew 17 percent from 1990 to 2000. Service jobs alone have grown 30 percent.
• 40 percent of workers commute into the county daily.
• Congestion and air pollution caused by excessive commuting degrade the environmental quality that San Mateo County has valued for generations.

Since 1990, monthly rents for two-bedroom apartments have climbed from $770 to $1,440. Since 1990, median home prices have jumped from approximately $300,000 to $901,000 in the first quarter of 2005.

We are losing human capital-the professionals and workers who are vital to the health and well being of our community and economy, such as teachers, childcare workers, and healthcare workers. People of all backgrounds-low and middle income-need accessible housing. Many of the emergency service workers who serve San Mateo County – including police, firefighters, paramedics, nurses, and other medical personnel – cannot afford to live here. This means they might not be on hand in the event of a crisis or natural disaster.

The quality of our workforce is compromised when employers cannot attract and retain experienced people. Grown adults and families raised in San Mateo County can't afford to live here or to raise their own families here. The diversity that makes up the fabric of the community is compromised when people of all backgrounds are unable to live and work together. The housing crisis is urgent, and HEART is a key part of the solution!

How HEART Helps

By donating to HEART you will help solve the housing problem in San Mateo County by creating housing for people who cannot afford a home. These people include the teachers who educate our children, the fire fighters who come to our rescue and the elderly who have worked and contributed but have been priced out of San Mateo County–their community.

This isn't just a nice thing to do; it's a necessary thing to do. Who benefits? We all do. Housing builds strong communities.