SUBJECT:
Title
Affordable Housing Strategy Update
Body
DEPARTMENT: Planning and Development
PRESENTER: Sarah Nurmela, Planning Director
MJ Adams, Affordable Housing Manager
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
n/a
End
SUMMARY AND BACKGROUND OF SUBJECT MATTER:
In conversations since the December affordable housing presentation and during the comprehensive plan update meetings, the Commissioners have raised additional questions about affordable housing. These questions include: what is affordable housing, who does it serve, what do different densities look like, how is it financed, what is the demand, how can we partner with organizations, what impact does it have on economic development and job growth, and how will we measure success.
Don Elliott, an expert in housing and land use will present on The Complex Challenge of Affordable Housing. MJ Adams will follow with an update on affordable housing strategy options.
Strategy Options:
Planning and Land Use Policy - current housing issues being addressed in the context of the Comprehensive Plan:
Land Use Regulations
• Zoning - exploring where the Town can/should accommodate higher density.
• Permitting process - drafting amendments to the Unified Development Code that provides expedited development permit review process for affordable/attainable housing (AAH).
• Inclusionary Housing Ordinance (IHO) -researching an approach that provides for AAH to be addressed with all new housing developments.
Financial Subsidies
• Researching additional resources to address housing affordability issues not fully solved by increased density & expedited permitting.
• IHO - exploring a possible payment in lieu of unit creation as a source of funding.
• Other public funding sources - Proposition 123
Land Purchases and Disposition
• Town taking an active role in securing land for development of AAH.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Affordable Housing Strategy Update May 2023