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Press Release

April 24, 2006

Contact:
Kate O'Hara, Greenbelt Alliance Regional Issues Organizer, 510-734-9430
Evelyn Stivers, Non-Profit Housing Association of Northern CA 415-989-8160 x. 35
Marco Montenegro, East Bay Housing Organizations 510-663-3830

Contra Costa County poised to address affordable housing crisis

On Tuesday, Planning Commission will consider new legislation

Many cities have inclusionary housing ordinances, which require a share of new housing developments to be affordable to people earning moderate incomes or less.

A diverse coalition, including faith-based groups, environmental organizations, housing advocates and community-based organizations, is supporting the legislation.

"Everyone pays for the lack of affordable homes," said Kate O'Hara of Greenbelt Alliance. "As people look farther out for homes they can afford, traffic congestion and air pollution increase, while open space is lost to development," concluded O'Hara.

"We have a moral obligation to create housing affordable to people that live and work in our community," explained Reverend Phil Lawson of East Bay Housing Organizations. "Members of our community have to choose between long commutes or not being able to afford food or other daily necessities. The situation is dire; I am encouraged that the Planning Commission is taking steps to help solve this problem," continued Lawson.

From 1988 to 1998, Contra Costa County created over twice the numbers of market rate units for people earning $98,000 a year or more. In that same time period the County produced only twenty percent of the housing needed for families earning $25,000.

In the absence of an inclusionary housing ordinance, the County has negotiated affordable housing in a handful of major developments, including Dougherty Valley and Camino Tassajara, with varied success. Just this year, Contra Costa County allowed Windemeer, one of the Dougherty Valley developers, to raise the income limit for affordable rental units in their development.

"This ordinance will establish a fair policy that applies to every development and will target the people that need affordable housing," Gail Rodens from the League of Women Voters. "The League of Women Voters support measures like these to provide affordable housing for all Contra Costans."

The County's ordinance will apply to the unincorporated communities including Bay Point, North Richmond, Alamo, and Crocket. The policy, as proposed, requires twenty percent of all new residential developments to be affordable to incomes between $40,600 per year and $97,440 per year. The ordinance will create about 250 affordable homes every year.

Many cities in Contra Costa County already have inclusionary ordinances, including Brentwood, Pittsburg, Concord, Walnut Creek, Danville, Pleasant Hill, San Ramon and Richmond.

About Non-Profit Housing Association
Non-Profit Housing Association is the collective voice of those who support, build and operate affordable housing in the Bay Area.
www.nonprofithousing.org

About East Bay Housing Organizations
East Bay Housing Organizations works with communities in Alameda and Contra Costa counties to preserve, protect and expand affordable housing opportunities through education and advocacy.
www.ebho.org

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For 50 years, Greenbelt Alliance has been the San Francisco Bay Area's advocate for open spaces and vibrant places, with offices in San Francisco, San Jose, Walnut Creek, Fairfield, and Santa Rosa. www.greenbelt.org