Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Affordable Housing topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Staff: Soledad fell short on low‑income RHNA goals; city highlights pipeline and tools to catch up
Summary
Planning staff told the commission that Soledad missed its RHNA targets for very low and low incomes in the prior cycle (built six units vs. 76 required) and outlined pipeline projects, site acquisitions and policy tools the city will use to meet RHNA‑6 targets by 2031.
At a July 10 special meeting, City of Soledad housing staff presented an Affordable Housing overview that detailed demographic data, past production and steps to meet the Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) for 2023–2031.
Housing analyst Beatriz Trujillo said Soledad’s population is roughly 25,000 including about 7,000 residents in group quarters (the state prison), and that household size and income distributions skew toward larger families and lower AMI bands. Using census figures, she said the city has 3,732 households and owner‑occupancy is about 63%.
Trujillo summarized RHNA performance: "We only produce 6 units" for the very low/low categories in the prior cycle, she said, and urged concentrated effort for RHNA‑6. Staff then set RHNA‑6 numeric targets the city must plan for: 100 very‑low units, 65 low, 186 moderate and 376 above‑moderate (total 724 units) to be accommodated by 2031.
Staff described tools and pipeline items to meet those numbers: the city acquired a 4.6‑acre site at Gavilan to reduce developer site costs, pipeline projects including Miramonte (phase 1 & 2), Las Viviendas phases, and inclusionary requirements on some projects were highlighted. Staff said the city’s role is largely to create a development‑friendly environment — through site control, expedited plan review, fee deferrals/waivers and zoning changes — while developers secure financing (tax credits, subsidies, construction lenders).
Commissioners asked whether the state or builders could override local standards if the city fails to meet RHNA. Staff explained the "builder's remedy" pathway that developers can invoke when jurisdictions are noncompliant and said that possibility is one reason the city is moving to address shortfalls. Commissioners also questioned whether affordable units would primarily serve city residents; staff said they will attempt local‑preference policies where allowed but state rules may limit some preferences.
Staff emphasized that many affordable projects take years to complete because financing and regulatory compliance are complex, and that a mix of projects (rental, ownership, ADUs) and strategic site use are part of the approach.
