Towards a Just and Equitable
Central Coast
Empowering Communities. Supporting Collaboration.
Documenting, understanding, and empowering communities to take action against unsustainable inequities is the central purpose of the Central Coast Regional Equity Initiative (CCREI). Through research, policy advocacy, coalition-building, and community action, this Initiative advances social, economic, political, and environmental equity across the tri-county region.
Reflecting a partnership between The Fund for Santa Barbara, UCSB’s Blum Center on Poverty, Inequality, & Democracy, and USC’s Equity Research Institute, the CCREI advances a collaborative regional framework to organize our existing resources and conceptualize new opportunities.
Sustainability, Affordability, & Accessibility
Sustainability, affordability, and accessibility for our communities is the defining challenge of our generation—one that will determine whether the Central Coast remains a place where working families and individuals can thrive. The Central Coast’s demographic transformation over the coming decades positions our region at the forefront of California’s future as rising inequality parallels the growth of our diverse communities. The multiracial working-class communities throughout this region form the backbone of our local economy and public engagement, providing the workers, community networks, and cultural foundation that drive our collective prosperity.
When challenges cross county lines that affect our communities’ housing, employment, environment, and other concerns, so should our response. Our tri-county region, which spans San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura counties, offers collaborative solutions to address our shared goals. Through cross-county cooperation that transcends traditional boundaries, we can connect communities, organizations, and leaders interested in building solutions together.
By thinking regionally while acting locally, we’re building a Central Coast where collaboration creates solutions for a sustainable future
Explore our Equity Indicators Data Center to identify regional trends in housing costs, employment opportunities, educational outcomes, and environmental health—data that reveals both disparities and opportunities for coordinated action across San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura counties. Our Equity Matters 2024 report examines regional equity trends across the tri-county area and showcases collaborative approaches that are already making a difference, highlighting partnerships that demonstrate how organizations can unite across county lines to provide vital assistance during disasters like wildfires, mudslides, and the COVID-19 pandemic.