The KUSP Land Use Report #3: "Inclusionary Housing"

"Listen Live"

This is Gary Patton, Executive Director of LandWatch Monterey County, with a Land Use Report for KUSP.

A full-blown housing crisis is confronting the Monterey Bay Area. That makes it timely to discuss "inclusionary housing." When an inclusionary housing program is in force, a certain percentage of each new housing development must be sold to persons with average or below average incomes. Inclusionary housing almost always carries some sort of "resale restriction," so the inclusionary unit will continue to be affordable, even if resold. Most importantly, inclusionary housing will be built only when a local ordinance requires it.

Both Santa Cruz and Monterey County have inclusionary housing ordinances—and Monterey County is considering possible changes. Currently, developers in Monterey County can pay a "fee," and be excused from the requirement actually to build housing for lower income persons. Also, developers in Monterey County can build the required housing "off site," so that it is not really "included" in their new development at all. Finally, a Monterey County inclusionary unit only remains affordable for thirty years—not permanently. Last Wednesday, the Monterey County Planning Commission reviewed these rules—and changes are definitely possible. The Monterey County Board of Supervisors will be addressing the ordinance later this year. If you’re interested in housing, it’s a good time to get involved.

For KUSP, this is Gary Patton.

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