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Winter 2021 Newsletter

SIGN OUR PETITIONS AND TAKE ACTION TODAY!

Tell your legislators to prioritize housing production to address the housing supply and affordability crisis by signing this petition:

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Let your county supervisors know we need ambitious plans to address housing affordability crisis:

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Now is the time for bold action on housing!

Housing & Homelessness in Governor Newsom’s 2021-22 Budget

Governor Newsom’s State of the State address in February 2020 bucked the tradition of a bird’s eye view on the Golden State’s priorities. Instead, Newsom devoted the entire speech to California’s crisis of homelessness. The choice was a prescient prelude to the most urgent needs of COVID-19, and if Newsom followed up this month with a unilateral pandemic address few would be surprised.

Read full report here.

We are Gen H! Become a member today!

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Member Spotlight: Larry Florin

Larry Florin is the CEO and President of Burbank Housing, one of Generation Housing’s first founding members. For 40 years, Burbank has built, preserved, and managed safe, affordable rental and for-sale homes in the North Bay exclusively for people who have low incomes. Larry is passionate about Burbank’s mission is to build communities and to provide quality affordable housing for the people of Napa and Sonoma County. Larry brings to Generation Housing a wide range of experience in both private and public housing development, government administration, and legislative affairs.

Read the full article here.

Upcoming Events

Gen H Members Only Monthly House Party | Feb 18th 4:30 - 5:30PM

Being a Gen H member comes with its perks, and one of them is free admission to members-only educational, networking, and advocacy events.

Visit generationhousing.org/events for more information and to register!

Project Endorsements | 2020

Generation Housing had the honor of supporting several housing developments in the months of November, December and January to close the year and start 2021. In that time, we reviewed, endorsed, and spoke in support of project proposals in Santa Rosa and Petaluma that sought to bring more housing for people of all income levels. Most of the projects were approved though not all, a reminder that we have much work yet ahead of us. We share a brief summary here of the projects themselves.

State Legislature Introduces Housing Bills Focused on COVID-19 and Production

The California State Legislature welcomed a new slate of members and introduced the first bills of the new year’s legislative session. Last month we wrote a report looking at the new (and returning) housing bills that have been introduced in the State’s latest effort to improve housing affordability in California.

Some proposals look familiar as State Senate President Pro Tem Toni Atkins has reintroduced several bills as part of a Senate Housing Production Package that failed to garner approval last year, but which promises to be the centerpiece of the Senate’s push to address the housing shortage in this year’s legislative sessions.

Read the rest of the report Here

Sonoma County Housing News Digest

In case you missed some of the key news items of the last few weeks on local housing, Generation Housing has procured a bevy of news articles from around Sonoma County.

Sonoma County housing market breaks records in 2020 despite pandemic | The Press Democrat

"That ongoing demographic shift may have lasting effects on the county. One positive for employers is that an influx of high-skilled workers could fuel the North Bay’s burgeoning technology industry, said Ethan Brown director of business development of the Sonoma County Economic Development Board."

A brief history of urban growth and affordable housing in Petaluma | Argus Courier

“This year, as Petaluma begins renewal of the city’s 2025 General Plan, it’s time to dramatically re-think the broken system of affordable housing. As the City Council demonstrated in their recent vote, the tradeoffs inherent in doing business as usual are no longer viable.”

Federal rent relief is coming. Here's what to expect in California | The Press Democrat

“Some help is on the way. The stimulus law passed by Congress in late December includes $25 billion in rental relief funds, with an estimated $2.6 billion coming to California. Here are some things you should know about that money.”

Accessory dwellings offer one solution to the affordable housing problem | The Washington Post

“Affordable housing advocates promote ADUs as a way to modestly increase housing stock without drastically altering the neighborhoods that surround them, and a steady stream of new city, county and state regulations is making them easier to build.”

Black and hispanic renters face greatest threat of eviction in pandemic | Joint Center for Housing Studies

“For renter households of color, already saddled with higher housing cost burdens, the pandemic delivered a devastating financial blow. Black and Hispanic renter households in particular were twice as likely as white renter households to be behind on housing payments and twice as likely to report being at risk of eviction.”

Five things I’ve learned covering California’s housing crisis that you should know | CalMatters

On his last day at CalMatters, housing reporter Matt Levin reflects on his three years of covering California's housing crisis and the state's attempts to fix it.

The most important housing legislation you’ve never heard of | Sonoma West

Learn more about the state's Regional Housing Needs Allocation and what it means for our County.

Affordable Housing To Be Built On Former Journey's End Mobile Home Park Site | SFGate

"‘The 3575 Mendocino project that will build affordable housing units is a big win for our entire community. This will help address the affordable housing crisis in our region that was exacerbated by the recent fires and will be a critical stepping stone in our recovery process.’ said Rep. Mike Thompson”.

Demystifying Housing Policy:

Five Housing Terms Everyone Should Know

Housing affects all of us, yet the terminology used to discuss housing can be fraught with insider lingo and it can be difficult to fully grasp. So we’ve compiled a brief list of some of the most common terms used in the housing policy world to help everyone better understand and engage in the housing conversation.

PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING

Permanent supportive housing serves homeless individuals and families who have barriers to sustaining independent housing. PSH sites provide permanent housing and case management and other services designed to keep those people housed. desperately need.

REGIONAL HOUSING NEEDS ASSESSMENT (RHNA)

Association of Bay Area Government (ABAG) assessment that produces regional, sub-regional and local targets for the amount and type of homes needed over a seven-year period, based on new growth. RHNA takes into account anticipated housing demand generated by employment growth and population increase, however is not enforceable, which has led to the Bay Area vastly under producing housing for lower income individuals and families. RHNA also does not take into account prior unmet housing needs, which leads to the Bay Area falling farther and farther into a housing deficit.

PRIORITY DEVELOPMENT AREAS

Areas designated by cities and approved by the Association of Bay Area Government, as places where new growth (housing, jobs) should be concentrated. PDAs must meet certain requirements, including location close to transit. PDAs are supposed to be “complete communities” with housing, shopping and services accessible by bike and walking and homes for a range of economic levels. Plan Bay Area is based on concentrating growth in these PDAs.

SPECIFIC PLANS

Plans prepared by city government to attract, stimulate and guide development in a particular neighborhood. Often specific plans streamline certain requirements to make it easier for developers to get approvals to build projects.

VERY-LOW INCOME

A person or household whose gross household income does not exceed 50% of Area Median Income, adjusted for household size. This income category often includes preschool teachers, paramedics and retail clerks.

Visit our website to learn more housing terms at our Publications and Resources page and check out our Housing Glossary.

Generation Housing | generationhousing.org