Afghan Immigrants in San Jose Struggle with Housing Crisis

Afghan immigrants who have recently settled in San Jose are struggling with significant challenges in finding affordable housing. One of their primary concerns is the high cost of rent, which is placing considerable strain on newly arrived families.

Many Afghans fled their homeland in search of better opportunities in the U.S., but the ongoing housing crisis in California has exacerbated their difficulties.

Maryam Ahmadi, who resettled to San Jose with her family of four, shared her frustration: “We came from Afghanistan for a better life, but we’re facing a huge problem with the high cost of rent. We still don’t know how to manage our expenses here. My husband and I worry every day about whether we’ll be able to pay next month’s rent. Many of our fellow countrymen are facing the same struggles.”

Rahmatullah, a resident of East San Jose with his wife and three children, added, “As a large family, we’re forced to live in a small apartment. When we find a suitable place, the rent is too high. I don’t know how we’re supposed to manage these costs. My wife and I can hardly save for our children’s future because all our income goes toward rent and living expenses.”

Severe Shortage of Affordable Housing

Reports indicate that California is experiencing a severe shortage of affordable housing, particularly affecting immigrants trying to establish new lives. Said Rahmani, who moved to San Jose six months ago, explained, “We’re still relying on public assistance. Our income is low, but we haven’t been able to find an apartment we can afford. Everything is so expensive, and we don’t know what to do.”

Even immigrants who have been in California for longer periods face the same challenges. Many Afghans are struggling to find suitable housing because of language barriers or the lack of stable jobs. Ahmad, an Afghan immigrant in San Jose, said, “I still don’t speak English well, and this is a major barrier in finding a job with decent pay to cover rent. Landlords often require stable jobs and credit scors, but I only do temporary work. This situation is putting a lot of pressure on us.”

According to recent statistics, rents in San Jose have surged, with the average cost for a one-bedroom apartment around $2,500 per month. For many new immigrants, particularly those without stable incomes, this cost is prohibitive. According to the Zillow, San Jose is one of the most expensive cities in the U.S. to live in. A two-bedroom apartment costs approximately $3,000 per month, nearly equivalent to the entire monthly income of someone earning minimum wage.

Impact on the Immigrant Community

These housing difficulties are not unique to Afghan immigrants; they are affecting all immigrant groups. The scarcity of affordable housing has led many families to live in substandard conditions or relocate to cheaper areas that lack essential services. This displacement is placing additional pressure on social services, healthcare, and education in those communities.

San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan has proposed reallocating funds from affordable housing to temporary housing and homeless services in response to the city’s budget deficit. The city is facing a projected $60 million shortfall for the 2025-26 fiscal year, and Mahan supports using $39 million allocated for affordable housing to fund temporary housing sites.

The housing situation in California, especially in San Jose, requires urgent attention and coordinated action from both government and NGOs to ensure Afghan immigrants and their families can start their new lives without the looming threat of homelessness.