Patricia Justice GPHR, SPHR and ACC

The 2024 State of Housing in Sonoma County report is officially published! The report examines trends in our local housing market with a special focus on the housing needs of residents over the course of their life cycle. Click the link to learn more about our key findings and actionable solutions: https://loom.ly/nm8EGX4 #housingsolutions #housingchampions

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Navigating the financial landscape of California, particularly in Modesto, requires careful planning, especially given the state’s high cost of living. Whether you're buying a home, sending a child to college, or preparing for retirement, strategic financial management is key. Here’s how Modesto residents can effectively plan for major life events and stay ahead of financial challenges in one of the most expensive states. 1. Build a High-Interest Emergency Fund: With unexpected emergencies costing around $1,000 on average in California, having a dedicated emergency fund is crucial. Set up a high-yield savings account with an APY of 4% or more to ensure your fund grows and is ready for any unforeseen expenses. Regularly review and adjust your savings goals to stay aligned with rising costs and potential emergencies. 2. Leverage Health Savings Accounts (HSAs): Given that California health insurance premiums average over $500 per month, an HSA can be a valuable tool for managing healthcare costs. Contributions are tax-deductible, and funds can be used for qualified medical expenses, helping you manage healthcare costs while enjoying tax benefits. Consider maximizing your HSA contributions to build a substantial reserve for future medical needs. 3. Prepare for Soaring Housing Costs: With Modesto home prices up 15% over the past year, budgeting for housing is essential to avoid financial strain. Include not only your mortgage but also property taxes, insurance, and maintenance in your budget. Work with a financial advisor to anticipate future housing expenses and adjust your budget to accommodate potential increases. 4. Plan for Education Expenses: The average cost of public university tuition in California is about $13,000 annually, making early planning vital. Start a 529 college savings plan to benefit from tax-free growth and help offset the high costs of education. Choose a plan with low fees and strong investment options to maximize your savings and prepare for future educational expenses. 5. Account for High Retirement Costs: Retirement in California can cost around $70,000 per year, necessitating a solid savings strategy. Contribute regularly to a 401(k) or IRA, maximizing your contributions to build a robust retirement fund. Adjust your investment strategy to account for the high cost of living and longer life expectancy, ensuring a comfortable retirement. By adopting these strategies, you can better prepare for major life events and manage the financial demands of living in California with greater confidence. #ModestoCalifornia #Modesto #CaliforniaLife #ILoveModesto

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On Thursday, June 20, Wellthy’s General Manager of Leave Navigation, Scott Daniels, will be speaking at this year’s Integrated Benefits Institute's Regional Seattle gathering, focused on the impact of childhood disabilities on caregivers — and how those caregiving responsibilities can have a profound impact on employees. What an important topic, especially ahead of Disability Pride Month in July. Estimates say nearly 2 million children in the U.S. have a serious disability or are critically ill, and that has a direct impact on families and those in the workforce: • Caregivers for children with disabilities spend 53+ hours on caregiving on top of their day-to-day jobs; • 54% of these families live under significant financial strain; • And 73% of these families have at least one parent who quits the workforce, takes a leave of absence, or sharply reduces hours in order to focus on care We’ll be addressing the caregiving responsibilities families face and — informed by our work with so many families across today’s workforce — sharing a picture of what employees are navigating when it comes to childhood disabilities. Learn more about the conference here — and we’re so thrilled to be sponsoring this with Juno, Alliant Insurance Services, and The Council for Disability Awareness https://lnkd.in/eE78AQuN #Disability #caregiving #workingcaregivers #DisabilityPride

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Tune in to the latest podcast episode by Ventura County Coastal Association Of Realtors, where Rob Leatherwood interviews Linda Braunschweiger, CEO of Housing Land Trust Ventura County and Housing Trust Fund Ventura County. 🎙️ Gain insights into the legal definitions of affordable housing, the impact of California's budget, and the recent VC Housing Bond. Learn about the critical need for diverse jobs, housing options, homebuyer education, and the legislative actions needed to create sustainable housing solutions. 🏢📈🏘️ Don't miss out on this insightful discussion! 🎧📺 #HousingLandTrustVC #AffordableHousing #Podcast #VenturaCounty #SustainableLiving #HomebuyerEducation

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As the housing market grapples with an affordability crisis and high interest rates, one of the industry's hottest trends is gaining even more momentum. We tackle that story, the first bank failure of the year and more in this edition of The National Observer.

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Looking for employee engagement strategies? In this blog post by Osvaldo "ozzie" Gonzalez, LEED A.P., see top engagement strategies by global companies, and consider how you can scale them to use at your own organization! https://lnkd.in/gGFx-m3c Thank you, Ozzie, for sharing this actionable guidance on environmental & social programs!!

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LAUSD Budget Outlook Improves, But Financial Challenges Remain California’s revenue is declining, but Los Angeles Unified leaders are cautiously optimistic about the district’s immediate financial outlook. The district plans to restore previously restricted funding to individual schools following the governor’s latest budget proposal. What changed: District finance staff pointed to several factors that improved the district’s finances, including more state funding for cost of living adjustments, increased attendance and administrative cost-cutting. Altogether that nets $136 million more than previously expected. Ongoing challenges: However, the district still faces a growing budget deficit. California school funding is tied to enrollment and fewer students are attending LAUSD — and the majority of districts in the state — every year. “What we're doing now is quickly doing something to make things better, and I'm supportive of that completely,” said Board President Jackie Goldberg. “But it's not the solution. It doesn't tell us where we need to go.” Response from labor: Thousands of educators and support staff rallied outside the board of education meeting last week to protest expected cuts to individual schools. “They're moving in the right direction, but you know, we are not negotiating with them,” said Service Employees International United Local 99 Executive Director Max Arias. “We are demanding absolutely no cuts next year.” 🔗 https://bit.ly/4bEnnrb ✍️ Mariana Dale 📸 Julie Leopo/LAist

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Transparency and trust are the cornerstones of successful associations and planned communities. Learn how accessible financial records and regular communication can build a thriving, engaged community that is aligned on priorities and processes. Read our latest article to discover effective strategies for fostering these essential values in your HOA. #HOA #HOABoard https://lnkd.in/gDFQXfnH

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In 2020, the Greater Sacramento Economic Council used CAREs Act funding provided by the City of Sacramento to create an innovative workforce development initiative that quickly and cost-effectively trained people from underrepresented communities for lucrative careers in tech.  This program was called the Digital Upskill Program. This program was hugely successful with graduation and placement rates over 90% at wages 50% higher than traditional job placement. Programs like these are crucial to creating economic opportunities in historically marginalized communities throughout Sacramento. Workforce Development programs allow our communities the opportunity to garner skills in career fields that can be hard to access. What is one program that helped YOU improve your skills in the workplace? #WorkForce #Workers #Sacramento #WorkForceDevelopment #WorkForcePrograms #TheRingOfDemocracy

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As California's new fast food minimum wage law takes hold, the industry faces transformative changes. Our latest blog delves into Rich Reinis' insights on California's new fast food minimum wage law. As a Fast Food Council member and Krispy Kreme part owner, his expertise is crucial for businesses adjusting to the wage increase. Read the full interview from Law360 on our blog: https://lnkd.in/gjt7bDjT Subscribe our LinkedIn newsletter to get helpful insights for your business: https://lnkd.in/gY56JvM5 #EmploymentLaw #MinimumWage #CaliforniaLaw #LegalInsights #LaborLaw #FastFood #FastFoodCouncil #BusinessInsights

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🌟 Excited to connect at the upcoming #APA #California #Conference! 🌟Whether you're an experienced planner or just starting your journey, Visit us at Booth F3 to chat about your career aspirations and the opportunities we have to offer. #SanBernardinoCountyLandUseServices #APACalifornia #LandUsePlanning #SustainableDevelopment #PlanningCareers #SmartGrowth #LandUse #PlanningProfessionals #FutureOfPlanning

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📣Important news! The Social Security Administration has recently made three 🔑changes that positively impact SSI recipients. ✅ Living with someone who also receives other benefits, like CalFresh, will not impact recipients’ benefits. ✅ Food will no longer count towards recipients’ income when calculating SSI benefits. ✅ Renting from a family member will no longer reduce recipients’ SSI benefits. These rule changes will help people with extremely limited incomes get and keep more benefits that help them survive. Currently, the maximum support that SSI recipients in California can receive is only $1,183 per month — which doesn’t even cover the cost of an average studio apartment in roughly half of all counties in the state — and for some people that is their only source of income. For folks living on such a limited income, every dollar counts. https://lnkd.in/enVbkkT5

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📣Important news! The Social Security Administration has recently made three 🔑changes that positively impact SSI recipients.   ✅ Living with someone who also receives other benefits, like CalFresh, will not impact recipients’ benefits. ✅ Food will no longer count towards recipients’ income when calculating SSI benefits. ✅ Renting from a family member will no longer reduce recipients’ SSI benefits.   These rule changes will help people with extremely limited incomes get and keep more benefits that help them survive. Currently, the maximum support that SSI recipients in California can receive is only $1,183 per month — which doesn’t even cover the cost of an average studio apartment in roughly half of all counties in the state — and for some people that is their only source of income. For folks living on such a limited income, every dollar counts.   Credit to All Home for sharing on their Facebook page!

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We're excited to share that a Utah study outlining an innovative response to post-pandemic challenges in the workforce has been published in the Journal of Industry and Higher Education, a SAGE Journals publication. In today’s fast-changing global marketplace, both economy and workforce are struggling to keep pace with rapid technological advancements and the evolving expectations of new generations in the workplace. This challenge is just as present in rural as in urban areas. Researchers at Southern Utah University and Utah Tech University explore an action research approach that brings industry, government, and higher education together to create new ways of addressing employer needs. It's about listening, learning, and collaborating. https://lnkd.in/ghXGUXiD

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Washington State is among the friendliest in supporting ADU and DADU builds. In 2023, ADU builds actually surpassed single homes! If you want to know the details, the Seattle government recently released its 2023 ADU report. Of course, we’ve already read it and noted the latest regulations, stats, and necessary numbers so that you don’t have to. Washington State and Seattle are one of our specialties! https://lnkd.in/gZ76x3He #SeattleWA #WashingtonState #SeattleRealEstate

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Congratulations to CCRC-financed development Cornerstone Sacramento! Sacramento Business Journal has named Cornerstone Sacramento one of the Best Real Estate Projects of 2024, citing the creativity of its development and positive effect on the community. With the multifamily units partially funded by CCRC, Cornerstone was built as a partnership between Habitat for Humanity of Greater Sacramento and Mutual Housing California. 108 affordable rental units and 18 Habitat homes will provide much-needed support to vulnerable Californians in Sacramento. The level of economic resilience that is provided when intense rent burdens are taken off the backs of low-income households strengthens individuals and communities alike. Beyond awards, Cornerstone Sacramento embodies a vision for California’s future—one where creative, intuitive living communities are designed with inclusivity and sustainability in mind. This development serves as a model for the kind of thoughtful development that will uplift and empower diverse populations across the state, while promoting long-term growth and well-being. CCRC remains committed to that future. #affordablehousing #CornerstoneSacramento https://lnkd.in/gr8igzVy

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