COMING SOON

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

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.

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.

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

EIGHT HIGH-IMPACT STRATEGIES (DRAFT)

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.

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.

IMPLEMENTATION OUTLOOK

  • Each strategy and substrategy will identify the organizations best suited to lead, and a cost estimate.

  • Cross-strategy efficiencies (e.g., shared data platforms) enhance cost-effectiveness.

NEXT STEPS

  • Launch key organizational infrastructure (e.g., Sonoma Valley community development entity)

  • Begin phased strategy rollouts aligned with available funding

  • Coordinate with local governments, nonprofits, and funders

  • Track impact and adapt via regular progress evaluations