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Santa Paula reports being ahead on housing‑element obligations; director flags 'missing middle'
Summary
City staff told the council the 2025 Housing Element progress report shows Santa Paula is ahead of schedule on state RHNA targets, cited 57 certificates of occupancy in 2025 and projects bringing hundreds of units online, and said the city must focus on workforce 'missing middle' housing.
City officials told the Santa Paula City Council on May 20 that the city is making progress toward its regional housing needs allocation but must still address gaps in workforce housing.
"Based on the numbers that are required, we are two years into our process ... and we're well ahead of schedule," Director James Mason said, citing 57 certificates of occupancy in 2025 and noting that recent projects and the pipeline have accelerated production. He said Harvest has already sold 18 homes and that the Red Tail project will begin leasing June 1; staff reported more than 2,000 applications for roughly 298 units in one development's initial application period.
Mason said the city must emphasize a continuum of housing, calling out the "missing middle"—workforce housing that is neither deeply subsidized nor market‑rate luxury units—and noted use of accessory dwelling unit templates to speed smaller projects. He also said a Teague Park site is expected to yield about 90 units focused on unhoused seniors and people with disabilities, though some projects remain in funding stages.
Council members asked about infrastructure sequencing for fast‑moving projects, including access to the Harvest area and timing for a bridge upgrade. Mason said many projects are infill and that capital improvement plan projects are being coordinated so gaps are months, not years. He said the bridge is expected next spring.
Why it matters: Meeting RHNA and demonstrating a pipeline affects state funding and grant eligibility; the housing element also frames local land‑use entitlements that enable developers to build. City staff said meeting the state's process and local priorities requires continued outreach and ordinance updates (including mobile‑home provisions) and careful CIP sequencing.
Next steps: Staff will continue regular reporting to the Department of Housing and Community Development and will return with ordinance updates and outreach plans tied to the housing element work.
