A nonprofit Sonoma Valley Community Development Corporation (it could have a different name) would bring focused, coordinated and strategic leadership to create the needed impact on affordable and workforce housing in Sonoma Valley.
The SVCDC Vision (preliminary) is an environmentally, socially and economically sustainable, vibrant and accessible Sonoma Valley that provides diverse, attainable housing opportunities to its residents.
The SVCDC Mission (preliminary) is to lead strategic and holistic urban development of the Sonoma Valley in collaboration with public and private stakeholders, building on a workforce and affordable housing urban development plan that integrates community-driven principles.
The scope of the SVCDC would be the following:
Bring together community members and public and private stakeholders in a governance structure to…
Develop an evergreen Sonoma Valley Urban Development Strategy for Workforce and Affordable Housing. SVCDC’s strategic plan will be based on community-driven principles such as climate resilience, green-blue infrastructure, public safety, respect and dignity, 15-minute communities, safe and sanitary housing, justice and equity, long-term community economic viability, future generations, and quality of life.
Facilitate the implementation of that Strategy.
Design and lead a process to:
Assess current and projected housing needs in the SV for workforce and affordable housing using existing data sources (5- to 10-yr time horizon)
Identify parcel-specific current and future opportunities to Produce, Preserve and Protect Workforce and Affordable Housing units
Facilitate resolution of barriers that are identified toward realizing this housing, by working with municipalities, affordable housing and private developers, community-based organizations, donors and investors
Identify private funding and new, creative strategies to minimize financial gaps.
Many of the other strategies in this Sonoma Valley Housing Affordability Roadmap can be implemented by a local community development entity. CDCs are flexible nonprofits that adapt to their community’s needs.