Housing
Low-Cost Housing Goes Affordably Green in Chula Vista
Submitted by jstephens on 8 March 2010 - 5:48amHey you, Mr./Ms. Conventional Apartment Developer! Yes, you. Don’t attempt to ignore me by rolling up your construction–loan documents and sticking them in your ears.
Annual Housing Starts Reach All-Time Low
Submitted by Paul Shigley on 9 February 2010 - 11:34amIt’s official: 2009 was the slowest year for new housing construction since the 1940s. Builders pulled permits for only 36,209 housing units in 2009, according to the Construction Industry Research Board. That was a little more than half of the 64,962 housing starts in 2008, which had been the record post-war low.
Controversial SD County Project Gets Reprieve
Submitted by Paul Shigley on 26 January 2010 - 1:54pmThe Merriam Mountains housing project in North San Diego County lives – at least until the Board of Supervisors has another chance to consider the proposed development.
San Jose Adopts Inclusionary Housing Requirement
Submitted by Paul Shigley on 26 January 2010 - 1:46pmAfter years of study and negotiations, the San Jose City Council has adopted a citywide inclusionary housing ordinance. The measure, which takes effect in 2013 (unless certain market conditions improve), requires market-rate developers to make 15% of new units available to households with incomes of no more than the median. If developers choose to meet the mandate off-site, the affordable housing requirement rises to 20%. The city has had similar requirements for the downtown area for years.
Setback For North San Diego County Housing Project
Submitted by Paul Shigley on 29 December 2009 - 12:33pmThe proposed Merriam Mountains housing development in North San Diego County suffered a setback in December when the Board of Supervisors split 2-2 on the project. The tie vote equates to rejection of the project; however, supervisors within 30 days may call for a new hearing, and reconsideration appears likely.
West Hollywood Multi-Family Moratorium Invalidated
Submitted by Paul Shigley on 28 December 2009 - 12:25pmA City of West Hollywood moratorium on new multi-family housing development has been declared invalid by the Second District Court of Appeal. The court ruled that the city had not made required findings for the moratorium.
City Given Discretion To Grant Density Bonuses
Submitted by Paul Shigley on 22 December 2009 - 5:28pmThe City of Berkeley’s approval of density bonuses for a mixed-use project has been upheld by the First District Court of Appeal, which rejected a project opponent’s contention that the city had wrongly applied the state density bonus law.
Auditor Approves Of HCD Housing Grants
Submitted by Paul Shigley on 23 November 2009 - 4:09pmA report by the California state auditor gives the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) and the California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA) generally good marks for overseeing nearly $5 billion in bond funds approved by voters.
Local Control Over Mobile Home Park Conversions Limited
Submitted by Paul Shigley on 28 August 2009 - 8:23amCities and counties have little authority over the conversion of mobile home parks to resident-owned subdivisions, the First District Court of Appeal has ruled.
<!--EndFragment-->
Court Rules L.A. Inclusionary Housing Mandate Violates State Law
Submitted by Paul Shigley on 20 August 2009 - 9:32amA state appellate court ruling striking down an affordable housing mandate in the City of Los Angeles could have statewide implications. Affordable-housing advocates and municipal attorneys say the decision, if it stands, calls into question inclusionary housing ordinances that require developers to set aside and price a certain percentage of new rental units at below-market rates.
