Board adopts new housing incentives aimed at increasing multifamily and workforce housing in unincorporated areas

San Luis Obispo County supervisors approved a new housing incentive program aimed at increasing multifamily and workforce housing in the unincorporated county.

What passed: The board accepted the staff recommendation to adopt an incentive package (consent agenda item 1) that the county and stakeholders designed to streamline processes and offer incentives for multifamily and workforce housing projects in unincorporated areas. The measure won unanimous board approval during the consent agenda roll call.

Why it matters: Supervisors said the program is not intended to fully fund affordable housing but to be a “tool in the toolbox” to encourage multifamily and workforce housing, including housing for workers, college graduates and families. Supervisor Gibson and others thanked the ad hoc committee (including members from the Home Builders Association, nonprofit housing groups, chambers of commerce and county planning staff) for producing the work product. The county will review the program in one year to assess effectiveness.

Key clarifications and next steps
- The program is expected to raise some incentives but not to meet the total funding need for affordable housing; supervisors asked planning staff to return on December 16 with additional options for raising funds and to provide comparisons to other counties (Santa Barbara and Sonoma) for ordinance language and administration.
- Supervisors noted the program streamlines planning processes last updated in the 1980s and is intended to be reviewed and adjusted within a year of implementation.

Vote: The consent agenda item was approved by unanimous roll call vote.