Planning and Environmental Review’s Role in Affordable Housing
Sacramento County - and California as a whole - has a lack of housing, particularly housing that is affordable to those earning lower incomes. Planning and Environmental Review’s role in creating affordable housing is to “facilitate the improvement and development of housing to make adequate provision for the housing needs of all economic segments of the community.”
What This Means
Planning and Environmental Review provides oversight of Countywide Policy and standards through the General Plan and Zoning Code and makes periodic updates to address the region’s changing needs and accepts and processes land use development applications.
Plans and Programs That Work Toward the Goal of Increasing the Affordable Housing Stock
Addresses the changing needs of the County residents as well as changes to State housing law.
- Identifies and analyzes existing and projected housing needs for all income groups.
- Provides an inventory of sites for new housing development during the planning period.
- Provides Goals, Policies and Programs to reduce barriers and incentives to develop affordable housing.
- Tracks the effectiveness of the goals, policies and programs in providing affordable housing.
- Zoning Code
Establishes land use zones and standards and regulations for development in those zones, within unincorporated Sacramento County.
- Sets development densities
- Provides permitting requirements for residential uses
- Fee Ordinances
- Affordable Housing Ordinance - fees on residential development
- Housing Trust Fund - fees on commercial development
- Fees transferred to SHRA to fund affordable developments
Who Else Is Involved?
Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency – a joint-powers agency (JPA), that acts as the primary housing agency acting on behalf of both the County and the City of Sacramento.
How Can I Learn More?
To learn more, check out this presentation, which provides an introduction to affordable housing in Sacramento County and:
- Explains what we mean by affordable housing
- Details the County’s identified shortage of affordable housing
- Explains how the County helps provide affordable housing
Still have questions? Email muellerl@saccounty.gov.
