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New nonprofit Sonoma Valley Commons aims to preserve and expand local affordable housing
Summary
Julian Mackey presented Sonoma Valley Commons, a soon-to-be 501(c)(3) focused on acquiring small multifamily properties, expanding ADUs and fundraising to preserve local affordability; the group plans to start staff in June and pursue a 3-year ADU and acquisition strategy.
Julian Mackey, introduced as the incoming executive director of Sonoma Valley Commons, told the council his group seeks to fill gaps between small and large housing projects by acquiring existing affordable properties and accelerating ADU creation. "The median home price last month was $1,300,000," Mackey said as part of a snapshot of local housing affordability pressures. He described a two-pronged short-term strategy: an ADU accelerator to remove barriers and technical assistance, and a buy-and-preserve approach focusing on 4–9-unit buildings built before 1980.
Mackey said Sonoma Valley Commons expects to become a standalone 501(c)(3) in about two weeks and plans staff to start June 1. He framed the organization as complementary to larger developers: partnering with groups like MidPen on community engagement while initially pursuing acquisitions small enough to be financially feasible for a new nonprofit. Councilors asked about rehab costs and long-term affordability; Mackey said the group will prioritize purchases that require limited capital-intensive rehabilitation and will rely on a mix of private philanthropy and public funding to preserve rents over time.
