Getting Inclusionary Housing Right

JOIN US VIRTUALLY ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24TH 12PM

Cities across Santa Clara County are considering this powerful tool to build more new affordable homes without subsidy.

But done wrong it can fall short, or even stop the development of new homes in its tracks. Learn how it works, and how to get it right!

Many of our local cities are joining forces right now in a shared nexus study, the wonky and in-depth analysis that assesses the feasibility of local residential development and the potential for developers of market-rate housing to add a share of affordable homes to their buildings.

If cities require too few affordable homes or affordability that’s too shallow, they leave public benefits on the table. Too much, and developers can’t build any housing at all.

Come hear about local cities that are getting it right: successfully using inclusionary housing policies to achieve mixed-income communities, generate funding to subsidize deeper levels of affordability, and gain valuable land for affordable homes!

RSVP
April 7, 2025

Saratoga Takes a Major Step Forward on Affordable Housing

Share:

On April 2, 2025, the Saratoga City Council officially adopted its Inclusionary Housing Ordinance, marking a significant milestone in the city’s efforts to expand housing affordability. This ordinance, a key commitment in Saratoga’s 2023–2031 Housing Element, ensures that as new housing is built, it also serves the needs of lower-income residents.

Inclusionary Housing Ordinances (IHOs) are a common tool used by cities across Santa Clara County to ensure that new development includes affordable homes. These policies require developers to set aside a percentage of units at below-market rates, creating mixed-income communities and increasing housing opportunities for lower-income residents. Saratoga’s new IHO applies to projects with five or more units, requiring 15% of homes to be affordable. Ownership units will be available to moderate-income households (80–120% of Area Median Income), while rental units will be reserved for very low- and low-income households (50% and 80% of AMI, respectively). To preserve long-term affordability, rental units must remain affordable for 55 years, while ownership units carry a 45-year restriction.

We at SV@Home commend the Saratoga City Council and staff for their leadership in adopting this important policy. As the ordinance takes effect, we look forward to seeing its impact and will continue to monitor implementation to ensure it delivers on its promises.