Housing Policy to Pay Attention to Right Now in Sacramento

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Join SV@Home for our next Policy in Action@Home as we break down the latest developments from the Capitol with insider guest Leslie Rodriguez, Partner at California Strategies and Board Chair of the SV@Home Action Fund.

We’ll unpack:

– What’s in (and out of) the state budget

– The housing bills gaining traction and the ones quietly dying

– How this legislative session could shape housing access in our region for years to come

This is your chance to get the real story behind the headlines and what it means for our local work.

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July 18, 2024

Los Altos Impact Fees Update

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Last month, SV@Home submitted a letter to the Los Altos City Council advocating for significant reductions in Development Impact and In-Lieu Fees for affordable housing projects. These fees contribute to covering the costs of public facilities required by new developments, including parks, transportation networks, public safety facilities, and public art installations. However, while these fees are crucial for maintaining service levels as the city grows, they pose financial challenges for affordable housing projects to remain viable.

Several neighboring cities have already adopted fee reductions, setting a precedent that Los Altos could follow:

  • Mountain View: 100% reduction in impact fees for 100% affordable projects and all BMR inclusionary units.
  • Palo Alto: 100% reduction in impact fees for 100% affordable projects and public art fee exemptions for inclusionary BMR units.
  • Sunnyvale: 100% reduction in park fees for 100% affordable projects and all BMR inclusionary units.
  • San Jose: 50% reduction in park fees for 100% affordable projects and all BMR inclusionary units.

These policies have proven effective in reducing financial burdens on developers and encouraging the construction of affordable housing. We strongly recommend that the Los Altos City Council consider similar reductions to promote affordable housing development and address the ongoing housing crisis. By adopting these measures, Los Altos can foster a more inclusive community and support sustainable growth.