HOUSING ELEMENT

1-A. ANNUAL REVIEW OF SITES:  Annually review the availability of sites where public services are available or may be provided to facilitate and encourage the development of a variety of types of housing for all income levels consistent with the County’s identified need and fair share responsibilities.

1-B. ANNUAL ASSESSMENT OF OPTIONS FOR FUNDING: Annually assess the potential options for local, state and federal funding for affordable housing programs for low income families and some moderate and above moderate income families.

1-C. ANNUAL REVIEW OF HOUSING PROGRAMS:  Annually review and expand ongoing housing and related programs that are currently in place within the county.

2-A. FUND FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING: Take steps to assist in the development of adequate housing to meet the needs of low and moderate income households.

2-B. HOUSING IN AREAS WITH SEWER AND WATER: Those areas in the proximity and/or within sewer and water districts need to be protected from underdevelopment for future urban density.

2-C. REGIONAL FAIR SHARE POLICY: All new residential development shall assist in the attainment of the County’s identified need and regional fair share responsibilities for housing.

2-D. DENSITY BONUS POLICY: Provide a density bonus for development projects that provide 25% affordable housing pursuant to state density bonus law.

2-E. REVENUES FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING POLICY: The County shall develop a program to generate local revenues for the construction of new housing that would be affordable to low and moderate income.

3-A. AFFORDABLE HOUSING ON LARGE LOTS POLICY:  Allow the construction of affordable housing on larger lots that are consistent with the County’s mobile home ordinance, second unit for senior ordinance.

3-B. INCENTIVE FOR MULTI-FAMILY HOUSING POLICY: Amend the Land Use Element to provide incentive to increase the stock of multi-family housing in the unincorporated area.

3-C. ACCESSORY APARTMENT POLICY: Establish a program to evaluate the feasibility of single family accessory apartment ordinance for appropriate zoning districts.

3-D. PREVENT UNDERDEVELOPMENT IN RM DISTRICT POLICY: To deny development requests in the RM zoning district that do not provide a mix of housing types and increase the stock of multi-family units.

4-A. SAFE LIVING CONDITIONS POLICY: While it is the policy of the County to conserve and improve the condition of existing affordable housing stock and investigate means to improve substandard housing, the highest priority shall be to maintain safe living conditions for all types of dwellings.

5-A. COOPERATE WITH CITIES POLICY: It is the policy of the County to work cooperatively with the Cities of Hollister and San Juan Bautista to develop and implement coordinated and compatible housing policies and programs and where appropriate plan for and provide public services.

5-B. EXPAND HOUSING IN AREAS WITH SEWER POLICY: Identify areas and promote the development of land for housing that accommodates expansion of the existing sanitary sewer and water systems in cooperation with Hollister, San Juan Bautista and Tres Pinos.

6-A. EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY POLICY: Make maximum effort to protect housing opportunities for all persons regardless of race, religion, sex, marital status, ancestry, national origin, or color.

7-A. HOUSING FOR SPECIAL NEEDS GROUPS POLICY: Maintain and develop new programs to meet the housing needs of special groups within the county including large families, female-headed households, farm workers, the elderly, the homeless and the handicapped.

7-B. HOMELESS HOUSING POLICY: Annually evaluate the needed homeless emergency / transitional facilities in the unincorporated area and/or through interagency agreements with the Cities of Hollister and San Juan Bautista.

8-A. SOLAR ORDINANCE POLICY: Pursue all avenues of solar access and energy conservation currently provided by California law and consider a local ordinance to further promote energy conservation.

8-B. CONSIDER SOLAR ACCESS IN ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW POLICY: Require solar access to be considered in environmental review and/or decision making for all subdivisions that would create lots / dwellings at a density greater than four units per acre.