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Commissioners discuss using 10% solar revenue requirement to fund affordable housing projects
Summary
Council members discussed a state code requirement that 10% of revenue from certain solar projects be spent on affordable housing and explored CRA designations, gap funding, and consistent application of funds to subsidize near‑market housing projects.
Commissioners discussed how state code requires 10% of certain solar project revenues to be spent on affordable housing and whether a Community Reinvestment Agency (CRA) designation affects that requirement.
One commissioner explained that the 10% requirement is triggered when a solar project is inside a CRA; otherwise the revenue may not automatically flow to housing. The group discussed using CRA gap funding or targeted CRA incentives to subsidize near‑market house construction (for example, adjusting developer incentives so a $300,000 market‑rate build could be driven toward a $240–$250k price point with roughly $50,000 in subsidy).
The council suggested that if a city brings a credible project, commissioners would consider consistent use of available funds to support it. Participants also discussed alternative uses—land, water and infrastructure investments—to make parcels shovel‑ready for developers. No countywide commitment was made; the discussion was exploratory and advisory.
