During a recent government meeting, officials discussed the implementation of a countywide municipal scorecard aimed at addressing the pressing issue of affordable housing. This initiative stems from the 10-year affordable housing master plan approved in March, which emphasizes the need for a comprehensive assessment of housing funding and initiatives across the county and its 31 cities.

The proposed scorecard will provide a side-by-side evaluation of annual results related to affordable housing, highlighting deficiencies in both home ownership and rental units. Currently, the county faces a significant shortfall of approximately 75,000 rental units. The scorecard will track funding allocations and the number of units produced, allowing for a clearer understanding of each city's contributions to the overall housing strategy.

Officials noted that the county and its cities have robust funding mechanisms in place, including the SHIP and HOME programs, which have been operational for decades. These programs collectively generate around 500 new affordable units annually, with an average funding of $50,000 per unit. The scorecard aims to enhance transparency and accountability, potentially fostering a sense of peer pressure among cities to improve their housing efforts.

Additionally, the meeting addressed concerns about the long-term sustainability of affordable housing. Council members raised questions about how to account for the loss of affordable units once their designated affordability periods expire, emphasizing the need for ongoing monitoring and strategic planning to mitigate future housing shortages.

The municipal scorecard is expected to be available on the housing council's website next year, providing a valuable resource for stakeholders and the public to track progress in affordable housing initiatives across the county.