I want to provide you with an update on the County Housing Element Updateprocess.
In December, the Board of Supervisors voted 3-2 to take the first step by adopting the Housing Element Update, which contains over 30 programs and policies designed to create more housing opportunities. Some of them include:
- Work to develop a local preference program so that those who live and work here have first priority for new housing
- Requiring affordable housing in new rental projects
- Creating housing for farmworkers and other local employees
- Increasing housing and emergency shelters for the homeless
The second step in the process is we must re-zone enough sites in the unincorporated areas of the County to accommodate the number of units we are legally required to produce.
County staff has worked tirelessly and quickly to prepare this plan and re-zone options, the adoption of which is vital to ensuring that we meet State law, so that we do not lose local Zoning and land use authority.
This housing crisis is tearing at the fabric of our community by pushing out our children, workforce, and seniors. When we select the right kind of housing projects – with affordability and community amenities – we can reduce the negative impacts of growth, like traffic and pollution. |