(courtesy // southeastgreenway.org) Santa Rosa has adopted a Greenway Plan that will preserve the open space and provide housing in an underutilized area previously designated for the expansion of Highway 12.
Santa Rosa, Windsor and the County of Sonoma have earned an official state designation as Prohousing communities, Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office announced July 14. The three jurisdictions joined Long Beach and Moreno Valley as the latest communities to join the state’s so-called “prohousing” ranks.
Through the designation, Prohousing jurisdictions become eligible for funding incentives and additional resources through a state grant program designed to speed housing production, according to the announcement.
Jurisdictions become eligible for the designation by demonstrating a commitment to combating the housing crisis.
The City of Santa Rosa was recognized for its push to improve access to affordable housing. State officials highlighted the city’s 2019 approval of a Greenway Plan Amendment that preserves 57 acres of land on the Southeast Greenway property. The land can now be used to provide housing with up to 244 multi-family housing units and develop parks and recreational spaces.
The County of Sonoma in 2003 created a local housing trust fund—aka the County Fund for Housing (CFH)—which provides funding to allow for the accelerated development of below market-rate housing for low-income households. So far, the CFH has loaned $41.85 million.
Meanwhile, state officials lauded the Town of Windsor for adopting changes meant to increase housing supply and lower development barriers. In an effort to assist families, Windsor offers an additional density bonus, or other economic incentives, for residential projects that include a childcare center.
“Rather than evade their duties, these communities are committed to rolling up their sleeves and building more housing, faster,” Newsom said in the announcement. “We are putting the needs of Californians first and seeing to it that more housing gets built throughout the state.”
The addition of these jurisdictions brings the total to 27 California communities that have been designated as Prohousing.
