Discussion about this post

User's avatar
Thomas Cole's avatar

On the Effects of NGO’s - Local Housing

Did a study of local NGO’s. In Santa Barbara there’s over 1,400 NGOs taking in a total of about $7B with a B billion/year. Seemed impossible but it was a government report.

Maybe this tsunami of cash explains the endless funding for lefty causes here and nationwide. And explains the hefty employment income of thousands of liberal crusaders as NGO admins.

They all need housing, and at an average of $130k for an NGO administrator, there goes any cheap housing. Working people are now competing with highly paid NGO’s for workforce housing. Those NGO salaries reflect the cost of living, not the cost of producing.. Whereas actual employees of a real business must produce something of value for their employers. Or the organization goes under.

No such problems for the NGO’s. It’s tax free money, free local publicity, and no pesky audits or need to prove worth. They exist solely on the perception of community worth.

This gets to my second point - That is our tax code gives breaks to these NGO’s. So as noted, their properties pay less in taxes, their donors get tax breaks and the direct point is .. they produce nothing of value while taking up valuable office and housing resources.

Conclusion - What could be done? Investigate these high flying NGO’s.

Are they strictly adhering to their 501C3 tax requirements.

Are they actually remaining politically neutral.

Are they paying their CEO’s exorbitant salaries while providing little actual service?

Grand juries can investigate these institutions. And maybe that would free up some housing.

Expand full comment
J. Livingston's avatar

Demanding to live in an area one cannot afford is a choice. A choice that comes with known consequences, which primarily is learning how to live in a high cost area at one's own expense. Buck up and accept those consequences.

Those that can afford to live in high-cost areas have consequences too, which also must be accepted. Primarily is the loss of easy access to exploitive low-wage support services. Buck up, and accept those consequences too. Provide your own work-arounds.

Expand full comment
33 more comments...

No posts