With the next round of state-mandated affordable housing allocation nearing, county officials plan to focus on job-housing concerns and other issues the public presents as the state apportions shares among county jurisdictions.
The 2007-2014 affordable housing mandate is part of the California Housing Element Law, which is updated every five years. It requires the county to zone a given amount of available land for affordable housing. It is designed to supply mixed housing, encourage efficient development and improve the job-housing demand.
“One of the issues that [has come] up [is] the relationships between the job market and available housing,” said Michael Powers, deputy director of the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments. “Though this issue was something we faced in the previous cycle, I think it’s becoming more and more important to people.”
In a public workshop held by the association of governments on Nov. 28, many county residents expressed concern over the job-housing need and its relevance to traffic issues and the recent passing of A.B. 32, better known as the Global Warming Act.
“I think housing needs to be near new jobs,” said Jennifer McGovern, a county resident. “So putting two-thirds of the housing in North County, when most of the jobs are down south, doesn’t work.”
Government Affairs Director for the Central Coast Home Builders Association, Jerry Bunin strongly agreed.
“I don’t know what you should do, but I know what you shouldn’t do- put all the houses in different locations than the jobs,” he said to SBCAG. “That’s the best thing you can to be in compliance with A.B. 32 and this county.”
Santa Barbara County currently has the potential to zone for and build approximately 31,000 residential units.
The majority of build-out capacity is located in the Santa Maria region, which has 45 percent of the county’s capacity. The South Coast Region holds 30 percent, Lompoc 16 percent and the Santa Ynez Region 9 percent.
According to the association of governments 2007 Regional Growth Forecast Summary, the Santa Maria region will see an estimated 74 percent employment growth, the Lompoc region a 27 percent growth and Santa Ynez a 39 percent growth by 2040.
Though North County regions dominate in both build-out potential and future employment growth forecasts, Powers says that the public’s input is absolutely necessary in assessing how the next round of allocations will meet the needs of different jurisdictions.
“I certainly believe public input is important. We’re trying to get local information on what people think is important,” he said. “It’s a challenging issue of public policy. On one hand we’re trying to address the issue of affordable housing, and on the other people are concerned about growth and its effects on their quality of life.”
The association of governments will hold three public workshops to hear what the public has to say about the next round of affordable housing allocation.
For more information visit www.sbcag.org.