Motion to Authorize Staff Assistance for a 2017 Housing Crisis Strategy

• One of the most crucial issues that California currently faces is an extreme housing crisis, characterized by a huge demand for California housing, which has led to average home and rental prices that are some of the highest in the nation. The Santa Cruz region is no exception to this crisis and is not only one of the most expensive regions in the state, but in the country as a whole. According to a recent report in December of 2016, The Santa Cruz region is ranked as the 3rd least affordable region in the U.S., with the average Santa Cruz home price sitting at $805,000.
• In order to address this crisis, which is tied to not only to housing but issues of poverty, access to education and economic growth, as of February 28th, 2017, the Santa Cruz City Council has recommended the authorization of staff assistance, in order to engage with, and actively seek solutions to the Santa Cruz Housing Crisis.
• This motion is expected to launch in March of 2017 and requires an estimated budget of $10,000.
• This agenda will establish the staff needed to explore potential funding relief, affordable housing strategies, potential changes to the City’s zoning and development codes, and will further establish non-counsel related forums that will bring together housing experts, developers, financiers and representatives from vulnerable communities in the Santa Cruz region.

The information in this write up is based in a City Council Agenda Report set forth on February 28th, 2017. For details and more information please see the following article at the City Council Agenda site.