Google announced a major investment in the Bay Area amid increasing backlash over the tech industry's dominance in the area while poorer communities live in distress. The U.S. tech giant said it is working on a 10-year plan with $1 billion in budget funds.
In Google CEO Sundar Pichai's blog post regarding the project, he noted that the company will invest "in what it believes is the most important social issue in the area: housing." San Francisco, in particular, is dominated by tech industry giants.
The entrance of major tech companies in the Bay Area and the rise of commercial buildings owned by these firms have been blamed at some point for the loss of housing space for less fortunate people in the community.
Multiple protests and rallies have been carried out in line with the housing complaints, including other issues that Google has been embroiled in over the last few years.
Some industry experts indicated that Google may have decided to tackle the Bay Area's housing dilemma due to increasing backlash from former residents who left San Francisco and nearby cities.
San Francisco has largely transitioned into an expensive town to reside in. Before tech giants infiltrated the city, poorer families could afford housing expenses. Analysts said Google may have taken action on the issue out of "conscience."
Pichai's statement regarding the billion-dollar housing investment did not reveal a lot of details. However, he said 15,000 new homes are part of the plan. It is unclear how many of the houses will be available "at all income levels."
Amid backlash and confusion over the new project, Google reaffirmed its commitment towards supporting organizations that assist homeless people in the Bay Area. The company said it is looking to give out $50 million this year for this cause.
It remains to be seen when the housing project will kick off but Pichai said Google has started holding talks with Bay Area municipalities. Rezoning and other related topics are being discussed, he said.
According to The Guardian, San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo said in a statement that the local government has been urging Google to commit to helping address the region's housing problems.
Liccardo said the government is looking forward to cooperating with Google in terms of ensuring that residents of San Jose residents who have a hard time keeping up with housing expenses will benefit from the billion-dollar scheme.
It is worth noting that Pichai's announcement came one day after San Jose activist Yolanda Chavez wrote in Medium that the company's new campus will largely affect her housing expenses and could leave her homeless.
