Newsletter: July 2021

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The need for local achievable housing has never been greater, meanwhile, our jurisdictions and districts are bringing forward housing amendments and new programs to increase housing security in our region. Get involved by attending a public meeting or hearing. More information about these opportunities is provided below:

MHC Releases Preliminary Data: Attend Future Community Meetings

Based on the updated Workforce Housing Needs Assessment Update, The “unmet need” for housing among local residents in North Tahoe and Truckee increased by 12% since 2016. Much of this additional unmet demand was due to the North Tahoe Truckee resident workers who have been overburdened (paying more than 30% gross income towards housing), overcrowded (more than one person per room) and/or underhoused (incomplete kitchen facilities, incomplete plumbing facilities).

While this data is pulled from regional and state sources with timing gaps, MHC has also surveyed employees and employers in the area for more real-time, on the ground insights to this crisis. We will be releasing that additional data over the coming months, and providing the community with presentations of the data at our upcoming community meetings on August 25th from 4-6 pm and September 30th from 4-6 pm.

Read More About How We Are Addressing the Housing Crisis

In late June, the MHC called an emergency meeting to address the acute housing needs in the North Lake Tahoe Truckee region. Partners discussed short term actions, from regulatory steps needed to preserve housing security, to employer-based solutions, and more. Next steps will be presented at the MHC Quarterly Meeting on July 23, 2021. 

You can read more about this data and the MHC Emergency Meeting in this SFGATE article, “As tech transforms tahoe towns, study finds thousands of locals in need of housing,” published on Wednesday, July 14, 2021.

HOUSING ACTION

Placer County Launches Workforce Housing Preservation Program!

On July 12th, Placer County launched the Workforce Housing Preservation Program for the East Placer/Tahoe region. The program is designed to secure existing housing inventory for the local workforce by paying homebuyers and new housing developers to deed restrict their home for local worker households. Associated funding can also be used to help homebuyers with down payments or complete renovations. To find out more about eligibility requirements and other information, visit www.placer.ca.gov/whpp.

Applications Open for Placer County First Time Homebuyer Assistance Program

The First Time Homebuyer Assistance Program loan can help make mortgage payments more affordable. It provides flexible second mortgages to help families purchase their first home in the unincorporated areas of Placer County. Applications have opened and can be accessed here.

Housing Related Code Amendments to Increase Housing Availability and Type

On Thursday, July 22, 2021, the Placer County Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on its proposed Housing Related Code Amendments. One of the primary objectives of the Housing Related Code Amendments is to increase the availability of a mix of housing types for existing and future residents, students, and employees whose income cannot currently support the cost of housing in the County. Text amendments could also allow tiny houses and tiny house communities (outside the Tahoe Basin). The Planning Commission will review the proposed amendments and is anticipated to make recommendations for the Board of Supervisors to consider at its meeting on Tuesday, August 31, 2021. (Note: These public hearing dates are subject to change). 

Truckee Town Council Approves Moving Forward with New Below Market Rate Housing Program

Expanding the inventory of below market and deed-restricted housing is an important tool to addressing the long-term availability of workforce housing in Truckee. At the July 13th Town Council meeting, Council members reviewed the new housing program concept that brings forward a for-purchase and for-rent deed restriction purchase tool and directed staff to hire a consultant to develop the program and analyze appropriate deed restriction targets for the Town of Truckee. To review the staff report about the proposed Below Market Rate Housing Program, go here. You can watch the staff presentation here.

Town of Truckee: New Resources for Accessory Dwelling Units

In order to better facilitate affordable and workforce housing, Truckee has updated the Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) website to help individuals and businesses interested in constructing new ADUs or permitting existing, unpermitted ADUs. The update will help you navigate the Town’s ADU rules, standards, and code; permit new or existing ADUs, learn about ADU fees, explore funding opportunities, search for vendors who have participated in Town ADU trainings, and provide resources and contact information for other relevant agencies. You can visit the new ADU site at townoftruckee.com/adu.

COMMUNITY

Truckee General Plan Community Workshops

Truckee is gearing up for the upcoming community workshops (virtual and in-person)! Attend a community engagement event on the land use alternatives for the Truckee 2040 General Plan Update and share your opinions on the town’s future development patterns. Note that if you cannot attend any of the events below, you can still provide your input through the online survey, starting July 29, located here:

Tahoe Living Working Group Phase 1 Housing Amendments

On Thursday, July 29th, the Regional Plan Implementation Committee and the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) Governing Board will consider approval of the Phase 1 Housing Amendments recommended by the Tahoe Living Working Group. There will be two opportunities to comment: 1) at 8:30 am, when the Regional Plan Implementation Committee will make a recommendation of approval; and 2) at 11:15 am, when the Governing Board will meet to consider approval of the amendments. The package includes recommendations for changes to the code of ordinances, changes to the rules of procedure, and changes to three area plans. These changes relate to three main components of the package:
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1. Modify the Bonus Unit Boundary – to incentivize development, and encourage transit supportive densities
2. Allowing Non-Conforming Tourist Density to be used for residential density on site – to increase residential densities
3. Increase flexibility for allowing Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) – to allow more small-housing types

You can find out more about the agenda and register for the meeting here, and visit MHC’s Local Housing Public Meetings page for more information on all regional public meetings.

MHC NEWS:

If you missed last month’s MHC Quarterly Meeting, the highlights can be found here.

Volunteer with the MHC

Take an active role in our housing crisis by joining a Mountain Housing Council Working Group to advocate for achievable housing solutions for all. Contact Kristina@ttcf.net to get involved.

Check Out MHC Partner Updates

We’ve created a new page on the MHC website where the 27 partners of the MHC can share their updates on progress made on various housing programs and policies. Check out the page and learn more about the new Truckee Tahoe Workforce Housing Agency too.