More and More, Black Californians Are Worried About Rising Costs of Housing, Energy, Food and Gas 

California lawmakers and policy experts convened at a recent affordability conference to address the mounting cost-of-living crisis affecting state residents, particularly low-income households forced to make difficult choices between basic necessities like housing, energy, food, and gasoline. Assemblymember Rhodesia Ransom highlighted how constituents are now prioritizing essential needs differently, with gas and food rising to the top as other expenses become unaffordable. Black Californians face disproportionate burdens, with 65% of Black renters experiencing severe rent stress and energy costs running 43% higher than for white households due to historical discrimination and inadequate housing conditions.