Challenges in Homeownership for San Diego’s Working-Class
At 4 a.m. on a Thursday in Escondido, California, Salomon Olea prepared lunch, kissed his wife goodbye, and headed to work. For nearly three decades, Salomon has owned his home. He picked up his son, Angel, and they drove through deserted streets to start their shift as commercial trash truck drivers for a private company.
Salomon, aged 55, and Angel spend long days handling trash and recycling for various locations, including schools and restaurants, around San Diego’s northern suburbs. This demanding work has allowed Salomon to achieve a stable life, including homeownership in Southern California. Jobs requiring manual labor were once pathways to the American dream.
In the 1980s and 1990s, men without college degrees often saw income increases and significant homeownership rates. However, over time, wages stagnated while home prices surged. This shifted the landscape, leaving fewer manual workers owning homes compared to earlier decades.
Angel, at 33, rents an apartment while saving for a house. Despite working overtime, he finds homeownership elusive. He shares his frustrations with peers, questioning the disparity between his efforts and those of previous generations.
Salomon and Angel began their workday long before sunrise. At the truck depot, they joined other drivers, including those who had traveled from Tijuana. After a brief safety briefing, they started their route. Angel relied on music to focus during the pre-dawn hours while driving the trash trucks.
As a child, Angel aspired to be a trash man, following his father’s footsteps. Salomon started his career in sanitation at 23, driven by the promise of stability and opportunity. Within a year, he obtained his commercial driver’s license, securing a role crucial to providing for his family.
When Angel was young, Salomon worked tirelessly, taking overtime shifts. His goal was to provide his family with a home, eventually achieving that ambition in 1998. He purchased a three-bedroom Escondido house for $127,000, marking a milestone in his journey from Mexico to achieving citizenship and homeownership.
Angel now faces the reality of increased housing costs in San Diego County. With 38% of households spending over a third of their income on housing, many feel the burden of unsustainable living costs, reflecting broader economic challenges.
Angel and his wife, Estephanie, pay $2,800 monthly for a two-bedroom apartment. Housing their family of five means adjusting their space to fit its demands. They’ve saved diligently, but rising home values in Escondido complicate their aspirations.
The possibility of relocating to affordable areas comes with the trade-off of longer commutes. Even as they planned, unexpected expenses, like car repairs and orthodontic needs for their son, depleted their savings.
After a long day at work, it was a warm welcome for Angel from his children. While Salomon managed to own a home in different economic conditions, he reassures Angel, comparing his predicament with relatives who face similar challenges.
Angel confronts modern economic barriers in pursuit of homeownership. Salomon’s encouragement highlights the broader struggle, reflecting on changing times and obstacles faced by many.