SUBJECT:
Title
Affordable Housing Needs Assessment and Strategy Options, Gap Analysis, and Affordable Housing Policies
Body
DEPARTMENT: Planning and Development Department
Department
PRESENTER(S):
MJ Adams, AICP, Affordable Housing Manager
Eric Leveridge, Housing Management Analyst
First Name Last Name, Title
TIME ESTIMATE: 45 minutes
only required for non-consent items
POLICY ISSUES:
This Affordable Housing Update lays the groundwork for the adoption of policies in support of decisions previously made by the Council to encourage development of a variety of housing types affordable to households in a broad income range to support diverse families, households and individuals wishing to call Erie “home”.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Review the Housing Needs Assessment and Affordable Housing Strategy, Gap Analysis, and Affordable Housing Policies as guidance for Town’s Affordable Housing Programs.
End
SUMMARY AND BACKGROUND OF SUBJECT MATTER:
In February 2023, the Town’s affordable housing consultants, czb LLC, completed the Housing Needs Assessment and Affordable Housing Strategy. Recognizing the need for some additional analysis and detail on the gap in housing affordability in Erie, staff completed a gap analysis to identify types and affordability levels of housing needed. Staff also recognized that a concise list of Affordable Housing Policies would help with implementing the Affordable Housing Strategy. The study session is an opportunity for Councilors and staff to discuss current and planned initiatives as well as receive feedback and comments on the proposed policies below.
Affordable Housing Policies
• Explore opportunities to create affordable housing in existing developed areas of Town, also known as “infill development.” The Town’s affordable housing standards, passed in July 2023, will encourage infill development through higher density allowances, no minimum lot sizes, reductions in set-backs and more flexibility in other development requirements through alternative equivalent compliance opportunities. The Town will explore other policy changes to encourage infill development, including more flexibility in codes while still meeting important safety and design standards.
• Through the Town’s comprehensive plan process, identify areas and establish land use classifications that accommodate higher density residential development to support the creation of new affordable housing with a diversity of housing types. The Town shall, to the maximum extent feasible, encourage affordable housing development in areas already served by existing infrastructure. Where not, the developer will be responsible for making all necessary improvements to serve the proposed development.
• Evaluate and implement an inclusionary housing program so that all new residential development will contribute to creating the affordable housing needed for Erie. Inclusionary housing policies require a percentage of affordable units for each development. The inclusionary housing program could also have a fee-in-lieu option for developers, which will be placed in the Town’s affordable housing fund and used for future affordable housing programs.
• Facilitate the creation of affordable housing through land acquisition and public/private partnerships with the Erie Housing Authority and the private and non-profit housing development community. The fee-in-lieu for the inclusionary housing program can be used to fund these activities, as well as general funds or external funding sources like state or federal grants, depending on the project.
• Pursue grants and other resources to support and subsidize the creation and preservation of housing that serves renters, homebuyers, and homeowners across a broad affordable income spectrum.
• Explore new and innovative approaches to reduce the cost of affordable housing development, including
• Reduction or waiver of non-enterprise development fees, either Town-wide or in specific areas to incentivize infill development
• Incentivizing the creation of accessory dwelling units (ADUs) o Changes to expedite the development review process to be completed by November 2026 per Prop 123 and reduce upfront development costs.
• Actively collaborate with the Boulder County Regional Housing Partnership to advance efforts to achieve the region’s goal of 12% affordable housing by 2035
COUNCIL PRIORITY(S) ADDRESSED:
ü Attractive Community Amenities
ü Engaged and Diverse Community
ü Prosperous Economy
ü Small Town Feel
ü Safe and Healthy Community
ü Environmentally Sustainable
ü Fiscally Responsible
ATTACHMENT(S):
1. Affordable Housing Presentation
2. Housing Needs Assessment and Affordable Housing Strategy
3. Gap Analysis Addendum