SONOMA VALLEY HOUSING AFFORDABILITY ROADMAP

An action plan to address our community’s housing affordability crisis over the next three years, funded by Sonoma Valley Catalyst Fund.

The Roadmap Advances the 3 P’s of Housing

Preserve Affordable Infill Homes

Keep lower-income people in their affordable homes by partnering with philanthropy and other funds to assure that subsidized, below-market-rate homes in Sonoma Valley stay that way.

Produce Affordable infill homes

Add your pricing strategy. Be sure to include important details like value, length of service, and why it’s unique.

Protect precariously housed residents

Programs aimed at keeping people at risk of homelessness housed and preventing homelessness.

and…

Focuses on homes for local workers and residents with limited means, excluding homeless services

  • Builds on local governments’ Housing Elements and Homes for a Sustainable Sonoma Valley.

  • Funded by Sonoma Valley Catalyst Fund, and based on in-depth research and interviews

STRATEGIES OVERVIEW

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Create A Sonoma Valley Community Development Entity

A mission-driven nonprofit to coordinate affordable housing development and preservation.

Assure Affordability Commitments Are Kept

Local governments jointly create a rental registry that delivers transparency, accountability, and tracking.

Preserve Existing Affordable Housing

Buy out deed-restricted units before their affordability expires, to prevent loss to the open market.

Improve Zoning & Land Use Rules

Modernize local policies to incentivize and streamline affordable infill housing projects.

Public or Nonprofit Ownership of Land

Land banks, housing land trusts, and cooperatives enable permanently lower costs of owning or renting homes.

Workforce Housing

A focus on farmworker housing and first-time homebuyers.

Keep Renters Housed

Expand accessible services: landlord-tenant negotiation, housing navigation, rental assistance, and eviction prevention.

Build Local Funding to House Our Community

Local funding sources help bring in state and federal dollars, and are more flexible.

STRATEGY 1

Establish a Mission-Driven Non-Profit for Housing Development & Preservation


Working Title: Sonoma Valley Community Development Corporation (SVCDC)

Summary

Sonoma Valley needs a dedicated, mission-driven organization to strategically plan, coordinate, and facilitate the development and preservation of affordable and workforce housing. A community development corporation (CDC) is a proven model that can drive housing solutions through planning, advocacy, and implementation, filling gaps left by existing agencies.

The SVCDC would lead efforts to map housing needs, identify development opportunities, coordinate stakeholders, and overcome barriers to housing production and preservation. It would focus on long-term strategic planning while actively facilitating the development of housing solutions for workers, families, and employer-supported farmworker housing.

STRATEGY 1

Establish a Mission-Driven Non-Profit for Housing Development & Preservation


Working Title: Sonoma Valley Community Development Corporation (SVCDC)

Summary

Sonoma Valley needs a dedicated, mission-driven organization to strategically plan, coordinate, and facilitate the development and preservation of affordable and workforce housing. A community development corporation (CDC) is a proven model that can drive housing solutions through planning, advocacy, and implementation, filling gaps left by existing agencies.

The SVCDC would lead efforts to map housing needs, identify development opportunities, coordinate stakeholders, and overcome barriers to housing production and preservation. It would focus on long-term strategic planning while actively facilitating the development of housing solutions for workers, families, and employer-supported farmworker housing.

STRATEGY 1

Establish a Mission-Driven Non-Profit for Housing Development & Preservation


Working Title: Sonoma Valley Community Development Corporation (SVCDC)

Summary

Sonoma Valley needs a dedicated, mission-driven organization to strategically plan, coordinate, and facilitate the development and preservation of affordable and workforce housing. A community development corporation (CDC) is a proven model that can drive housing solutions through planning, advocacy, and implementation, filling gaps left by existing agencies.

The SVCDC would lead efforts to map housing needs, identify development opportunities, coordinate stakeholders, and overcome barriers to housing production and preservation. It would focus on long-term strategic planning while actively facilitating the development of housing solutions for workers, families, and employer-supported farmworker housing.