The KUSP Land Use Report #41: The CHISPA Plan

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Gary Patton, Executive Director of LandWatch Monterey County, presents the following Land Use Report. The opinions expressed by Mr. Patton are not necessarily those of KUSP Radio, nor of any of our sponsors.

The word “chispa” means “spark” in Spanish. In Monterey County, there is a non-profit housing group called CHISPA. CHISPA has sparked a lot of positive changes for families that have obtained housing through their efforts. CHISPA is now trying to spark some important changes in County housing policy.

Currently, Monterey County developers must ensure that 15% of the new housing units they construct are affordable by very low, low, or moderate income families. The Draft Monterey County General Plan Update would increase this inclusionary percentage, to 20%. On Wednesday, representatives of the development and real estate community told the County Planning Commission that this kind of increase was not feasible. CHISPA came out on the other side. The CHISPA plan calls for 10% of new housing to be affordable to very low income families, 15% to be affordable to low-income families, and another 15% to moderate-income families, for a total inclusionary requirement of 40%. As a developer itself, CHISPA’s credibility is good, and they make the case that this kind of commitment to affordable housing can actually be accomplished.

The CHISPA plan was supported by every nonprofit housing developer in Monterey County. CHISPA and the CHISPA plan may well spark some real change in housing policy for Monterey County residents.

For KUSP, this is Gary Patton.

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