Sonoma County Board of Supervisors Approves the Creation of Hundreds of Affordable Homes

In a significant step towards addressing Sonoma County’s housing crisis, last Tuesday the Board of Supervisors approved a series of actions that will result in the creation of 618 new units of affordable housing over the next three years.

Among those actions, the Board adopted various financing proposals, recommended by the Sonoma County Community Development Commission, that will allow for the construction of 448 homes. Supervisors also authorized selling the long-vacant property on West College (formerly occupied by the Sonoma County Water Agency) to USA Properties for the construction of 170 new apartments.

“These actions create housing opportunities for seniors, veterans, homeless individuals and working families in Sonoma County,” said Chair of the Board of Supervisors James Gore. “Addressing the housing crisis continues to be a priority in Sonoma County, and we are committed to using all the tools we have available to create more affordable housing opportunities throughout the County.”

The Community Development Commission is leveraging County, State and Federal funds to allocate them where they are most needed to help expedite the creation of new housing opportunities and serve the maximum number of people at the lowest income threshold.

“We aim to address the current housing crisis from multiple angles,” said Community Development Commission Executive Director Margaret Van Vliet. “We’re starting to use more creative financing strategies, and to work proactively with developers and the nine cities to fill gaps and address the systemic barriers to housing construction, which is what the new Renewal Enterprise District Joint Powers Authority calls for.“

The Community Development Commission is also applying for the “No Place Like Home” program, for the development of permanent supportive housing for persons who are in need of mental health services. If granted, the program could bring at least $8.5 million to Sonoma County.