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Housing authority reviews draft strategic plan; proposes 55% AMI voucher pilot and $350,000 FY2026 request
Summary
The commission reviewed a draft strategic plan that includes site-prioritization tools, incentives and a voucher pilot targeting roughly 55% AMI. Staff said they requested $350,000 in the FY2026 budget to support incentives, vouchers and a small emergency rental-assistance pilot.
The commission reviewed a draft strategic plan and an interactive map tool for prioritizing land using factors such as proximity to schools, groceries and transit. Chair Jane Lewis described map features and said the board will later decide weightings for different factors. "We can weight it that way," Lewis said, describing how the map will help prioritize candidate sites for affordable housing.
Staff reported a FY2026 budget request of $350,000 to fund incentives and a proposed voucher pilot. Lewis said the voucher pilot would target an AMI around 55% (lower than typical federal program thresholds) so the county could help households that fall below federal eligibility: "So we were looking at about 55% AMI, which our voucher program would, in theory, be able to help." Members asked whether vouchers count toward the County Council's 1,500-unit target; staff clarified the council's goal refers to new physical units, not vouchers, though conversions or county-owned acquisitions that create permanently affordable units would qualify.
Commissioners asked for a clearer phased timeline (SMART goals) and for staff to return with a phase-1 priority list and feasibility analyses (down-payment assistance, voucher pilot design, and land-acquisition priorities). Staff said final budgeting and timelines will depend on county budget approval expected in January.
