City of Monterey About the City - Community Survey Results 2001

Community Survey 2001 - Comprehensive Summary
Page 1 of 2

A total of 786 citizens responded to this year’s survey, sent out in the City Focus. Four issues were addressed in ten questions:

Citizens are generally supportive of pursuing the development of affordable housing (77%), but are divided on the issue of investing resources in housing for public employees. The development of for-sale housing was more strongly favored in outlying areas. Written comments frequently addressed the Fort Ord property.

The majority of citizens know the difference between storm drains and sewers, and how to dispose of car oil and household waste. Most respondents have smoke detectors and two-thirds check them regularly; as many can be self-sufficient for 72 hours and almost half of the respondents know CPR. Most residents have attended at least one of the July 4^th activities presented by the City and the majority of respondents support all of those activities. The majority of written comments were very supportive of these events for the City.

This report summarizes the results for each section.

Housing in Monterey
Almost two-thirds (63%) of the respondents were owners (37% rent). The differences between owners and renters are presented in a later section.

The results were split on the first item: Do you believe local government agencies should invest resources in developing housing for public employees?

Return to Top

The second question asked: Which policies should the City pursue or change, if any, to help create more affordable housing in the community? The chart at right shows the responses to the three general options: promote more housing development, rent control, and none.

Of those 77% who support the promotion of more housing development, the option of outlying areas (e.g., Ryan Ranch, Fort Ord) was selected as often as the other two options combined: in existing neighborhoods and in commercial / business zones.

Return to Top

The third question asked: If you had the choice, which type of housing would you prefer to see developed? Housing for ownership was selected more often than for rental, and few people said none.

Of those 71% who selected ownership, about the same number (60-62%) favor detached and multi-unit housing, whereas of those 53% who selected rental development, far more (80%) prefer multi-family development, compared to detached houses (34%).

Return to Top

The fourth question in this section asked: In which of the following areas do you believe more water should be committed for development? Affordable housing was the clear priority, but divided equally between apartments and detached houses. Parks and open space was relatively high, more than twice that suggested for business.

Residence and Rent Control

A majority of those who own a residence – 53% – do not support rent control. Of those who do support it, 54% support voluntary rent control and 46% support mandatory.

Return to Top

The majority (74%) of renters support rent control in general.
Of these, they overwhelmingly prefer mandatory (87%) over voluntary (13%) rent control.

Owners also have a much stronger preference for housing development in outlying areas than in existing neighborhoods, compared to renters, yet both groups had similar levels of interest in development in commercial zones (about one-third). Owners had a clear preference for developing housing for ownership over rental property. Renters preferred development of multi-unit rental property.

About 15% more owners than renters know the difference between sewers and storm drains and how to dispose of household hazardous waste, but do not differ on other items in this area. About 16% more owners than renters attended the July 4^th parade and support it, but do not differ on the other items in this area.

Written comments tend to reflect the range of attitudes expressed above. A prominent theme in the comments, related to affordable housing, is the use and development of land on the Fort Ord property.

Survey prepared by: Lighthouse Research, 933 Fountain Ave., Monterey, CA 93940

Return to Top
Page 2 of Comprehensive Summary