TO: Board of Supervisors
FROM: Ryan J. Alsop, County Executive Officer
REPORT BY: Jennifer Palmer, Director of Housing & Homeless Services
SUBJECT: Agreement No 240143B with Generation Housing
RECOMMENDATION
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Director of Housing & Homeless Services requests the following:
1. Approval of and authorization for the Chair to sign Agreement No 240143B with Generation Housing, a non-profit corporation, for a maximum amount of $110,000 for the term July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2024, for professional services to develop comprehensive reports for key aspects of the local housing system; and
2. Approval of a Budget Adjustment increasing appropriation by $110,000 in Consulting Services in Affordable Housing (Fund 2080, Org 2080000, Object 52310) with use of available fund balance.
(4/5 vote required)
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Generation Housing (Gen H) is a non-profit organization focused on providing public education for decision-makers and policymakers about housing policy solutions to improve the housing system. Gen H conducts research, develops reports and acts as a convener to align diverse local interests around effective housing solutions to meet local and regional housing goals. Approval of today’s action will authorize the production of two reports (State of Housing in Napa County Report and Napa County Housing Needs and Production Roadmap) which together will provide a comprehensive overview of key aspects of the local housing system, including baseline metrics for housing stock, household data, housing production, and projected housing needs aligned to regional housing inventory, and authorize the related increase in appropriation using available fund balance budget adjustment to establish the contract.
FISCAL & STRATEGIC PLAN IMPACT
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Is there a Fiscal Impact? |
Yes |
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Is it currently budgeted? |
No |
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Where is it budgeted? |
Approval of the item will establish appropriation in Fund 2080 using available fund balance. |
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Is it Mandatory or Discretionary? |
Discretionary |
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Discretionary Justification: |
Although there is no mandate for a regional housing needs and inventory analysis, it is critical to understanding housing production as a coordinated effort across local jurisdictions. |
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Is the general fund affected? |
No |
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Future fiscal impact: |
Appropriation for future years will be budgeted accordingly. |
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Consequences if not approved: |
Analysis and support for regional housing planning and production will be limited. |
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County Strategic Plan pillar addressed: |
Healthy, Safe, and Welcoming Place to Live, Work, and Visit |
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION: The proposed action is not a project as defined by 14 California Code of Regulation’s 15378 (State CEQA Guidelines) and therefore CEQA is not applicable.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
Solving Napa County’s current housing needs will have positive ripple effects. The availability of safe, stable, and affordable housing for the local workforce and community members is a critical driver for individual economic opportunity, better educational performance, and improved health outcomes. The future economic vitality and resilience of our county is strengthened when young workers, students, and families can afford not only to live here, but live free from housing cost burden. Investment in housing production is a powerful economic engine and job creator. Well-planned affordable housing is also a boon for the environment - decreasing the carbon footprint of our workforce and preserving our open space.
Generation Housing (Gen H) is a non-profit organization focused on providing public education for decision-makers and policymakers about housing policy solutions to improve the housing system. Gen H conducts research, develops reports and acts as a convener to align diverse local interests around effective housing solutions to meet local and regional housing goals.
The Director of Housing and Homeless Services requests approval and authorization for the Chair to sign Agreement No 240143B for professional services to develop two reports:
1. State of Housing in Napa County Report: This report is a comprehensive report, over 60 pages, covering housing stock and cost, density, land use, homebuilding, population shifts and demographic breakdowns of housing cost burden and overcrowding. The report aims to educate the public, community leaders, and policymakers so that the community can collectively and collaboratively make informed, evidence-based decisions on policy, projects, and funding addressing the existing housing shortage.
2. Napa County Housing Needs and Production Report: This report will provide an independent and objective evaluation of current and projected housing needs aligned to the regional housing inventory. The report will consider how current housing availability is addressed by the 6th Cycle Housing Element sites inventory and will utilize insights into existing transit and job centers, and projected demographic and job sector growth to match future needs to supply. The regional approach to the data and analysis will allow the County, and the individual jurisdictional entities within the County, to understand housing as a coordinated effort across jurisdictions, helping to assign housing typologies to geographical areas best served by those projects in alignment with principles of equity, sustainability, and regional commitments to climate action.
Approval of today’s action will authorize the production of two reports which together will provide a comprehensive overview of key aspects of the local housing system as well as projected housing needs aligned to the regional housing inventory, and authorize the related increase in appropriation and use of fund balance budget adjustment to establish the contract.