Inclusionary Housing policies (the policy that projects over a certain # of units must include a % of affordable units) are commonplace and proven to increase the amount of affordable housing in an area. Escondido housing, environmental, justice activists have advocated for an inclusionary housing policy here for many years–to no avail. Now the County has adopted one as well. This is something Escondido should emulate. Maybe if we had new, pro-affordable housing Mayor and Councilmembers, we might be able to achieve this. See broad details below. Most interesting is the requirement for 20% Affordable housing when a General Plan Amendment is needed.
Starting today, projects in the unincorporated area with ten or more residential units will need to satisfy the inclusionary housing requirement by building affordable housing or supporting affordable housing in another way. Resources, including the new inclusionary affordable housing plan form and a recorded webinar, are available on County website.
Inclusionary Housing Requirement
For-sale projects must provide one of the following affordable housing set-asides:
- 5% very-low income
- 10% low income
- 15% moderate income
Rental projects must provide one of the following affordable housing set-asides:
- 5% extremely-low income
- 5% very-low income
- 10% low income
General Plan Amendment projects must provide 20% low income.
Incentives
Projects that satisfy the inclusionary housing requirements without using alternative compliance will be eligible for the following benefits.
- Density Bonus – double the state density bonus, up to a 50% increase
- Incentives – one additional incentive beyond the state and county density bonus programs
In addition, projects that provide 50% more low-income housing than required can request priority review.
- For Sale: Provide an additional 5% Low (i.e. total: 15% Low)
- For Rent: Provide an additional 5% Low (i.e. total: 15% Low)
- GPA: Provide an additional 10% Low for a total of 30% Low)
Alternative Compliance Methods
For projects unable to provide the required affordable housing units onsite, use of alternative compliance methods may be requested.
Please contact Ben Larson at PDS.LongRangePlanning@