New survey reveals widespread impact of low wages among Santa Clara’s over 36,000 home care workers, worsening county’s care crisis - SEIU2015

Workers urge County Supervisors to address crisis by raising wages

Santa Clara County, CA – Today, Santa Clara’s In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) workers, members of SEIU Local 2015—the nation’s largest long-term care union representing more than half a million workers across California—returned to the Board of Supervisors meeting to urge elected officials to invest in long-term care.

In Santa Clara County, more than 36,000 IHSS workers provide essential long-term care (including paramedical, personal care, and household services) to older adults and people with disabilities. The IHSS program ensures people who need long-term care can receive it in the setting of their choice, supporting their ability to remain in their homes in the Santa Clara community, instead of an institutional setting.

More than 3.3 million authorized care hours went unused last year in Santa Clara County, pointing to a shortage of providers for seniors and disabled individuals in need. Lack of access to the wages and benefits needed to provide for their families is driving IHSS workers out of the caregiving profession.

Recent polling reveals low wages for Santa Clara home care workers prevent them from paying for housing, feeding their families and accessing medical care:

78% of Santa Clara’s IHSS workers work multiple jobs—at least some of the time—just to make ends meet.
Nearly 62% of Santa Clara’s IHSS workers have difficulty paying their rent or mortgage each month, reporting that they are sometimes or always late with their payments.
52% of Santa Clara’s IHSS workers experience consistent food insecurity, relying on CalFresh and/or food banks at least monthly.
44% of Santa Clara’s IHSS workers are sometimes or often unable to access medication—and 46% are sometimes or often prevented from visiting the doctor—due to concerns about cost.

“I work as an insurance agent, and I’m in law school while providing care to my sister with mental health issues,” said Tonya York, a Santa Clara County IHSS worker. “I wish I didn’t have to work more than one job to afford living in this county.”

In Santa Clara and across California, the population of older adults is growing, increasing the demand for in-home care.

“We make 20 dollars in a county where the estimated living wage for a single parent with one child is over 64 dollars,” said Natascha Walker, a Santa Clara County IHSS worker. “Our caregivers are being disrespected and if we don’t get a strong contract, there won’t be enough of us to meet the growing demand for care.”

“Santa Clara County needs to start investing in care before more providers leave the industry which will worsen the current care crisis,” said SEIU Local 2015 President Arnulfo De La Cruz. “Care workers are essential and they need to be valued in order to safeguard the well-being of Santa Clara County.”

SEIU Local 2015 is committed to advancing policies that improve the lives of long-term care workers and those they care for. The union’s bargaining team encourages the Board of Supervisors to collaborate to address these pressing issues and ensure that Santa Clara’s long-term care system is prepared to support the county’s future.

To learn more about SEIU Local 2015 visit www.SEIU2015.org or on social media @SEIU2015.