United Ways of California Hosts "Real Cost" Measure Presentation at AHC

OCTOBER 20, 2023-- United Ways of California and Northern Santa Barbara County are partnering with Allan Hancock College to present the results of the highly anticipated The Real Cost Measure in California 2023 study at a free event on Oct. 24 from 2-4 p.m. in the Boyd Concert Hall (building F) at the college’s Santa Maria campus.  

The Real Cost Measure, a self-sufficiency standard designed by United Ways of California, finds that 42 percent of Santa Barbara County households – 50,929 residents and families – do not earn enough to cover their basic living expenses, with Latino and Black households struggling the most. 

“Unlike the official poverty measure which primarily accounts for the cost of food, the Real Cost Measure factors the costs of housing, food, health care, childcare, transportation and other basic needs to reveal what it really costs to live in California,” said Northern Santa Barbara County United Ways CEO Eddie Taylor. “This presentation is an excellent opportunity to learn more about our community and what we can do to help those who are struggling.” 

This free event will include an overview of the statewide United Ways study “How Much it Costs to Struggle: The Real Cost Measure in California 2023” as well as specific statistics for Santa Barbara County, followed by a cross-sector panel discussion. 

“Whether it’s providing a free year of tuition through our Hancock Promise program, or providing food, bus passes and emergency funds for our students in-need, Hancock is acutely aware of the financial challenges many residents in our community face,” said Hancock Superintendent/President Kevin G. Walthers, Ph.D. “Our college is happy to open its doors to the United Ways of California to have this timely discussion about a very important issue.”  

Members of the public interested in attending this event can learn more and RSVP at 

https://unitedwaylife.org/event/real-cost-measure-presentation.