Salinas reviews 2024 housing element progress and future affordable housing goals

On March 18, 2025, the Housing and Land Use Committee of Salinas convened to discuss significant developments in the city’s housing strategy, particularly focusing on affordable housing initiatives and the ongoing challenges faced by the community. The meeting highlighted the city’s commitment to addressing housing shortages and improving living conditions for residents.

A key topic of discussion was the anticipated addition of 3,586 housing units, which will contribute to the city’s Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) numbers. Although the exact number of units is still being finalized, city officials expressed optimism about future developments that will enhance the availability of affordable housing. This is particularly crucial as Salinas grapples with increasing housing demands.

Lisa Rodriguez, a city official, elaborated on the city’s housing element for the 2023-2031 cycle, emphasizing the importance of rental registration and stabilization efforts. The city adopted a rental registration ordinance in 2023, which was complemented by a rental stabilization ordinance that includes tenant protections against harassment and unjust evictions. While metrics on the effectiveness of these measures are still being compiled, they are expected to provide valuable insights into the impact of these policies on the housing market.

The committee also reviewed the performance of the city’s code enforcement efforts, which addressed blighted properties. In 2024, code enforcement opened 700 cases and successfully closed 200, indicating a proactive approach to improving housing conditions. Notably, there were no documented receiverships in the past year, suggesting effective collaboration between the city and property owners.

Another significant development discussed was the acquisition of a property at 443 West Market Street, which contains 26 units. The city is exploring options for utilizing this property to support the homeless population, with a focus on creating permanent supportive housing. This initiative reflects the city’s ongoing efforts to address homelessness and provide stable housing solutions.

Keisha Lopez, the homeless services manager, shared the achievements of the Salinas outreach and response team, which served 291 individuals in 2024. The team successfully referred 36 individuals from encampments to emergency shelters and housed 45 individuals, demonstrating the effectiveness of outreach efforts in connecting vulnerable populations with essential services.

Looking ahead, the committee outlined next steps, including a meeting with the planning commission and a scheduled city council consideration later in March. The city plans to submit its 2024 housing element annual progress report to the California Department of Housing and Community Development by April 1, 2025.

In conclusion, the discussions at the Housing and Land Use Committee meeting underscored Salinas’ commitment to tackling housing challenges and improving living conditions for its residents. As the city moves forward with its housing initiatives, ongoing collaboration and effective policy implementation will be critical in addressing the pressing needs of the community.