Housing Opportunities Commission 2025 03 12

The Housing Opportunities Commission meeting was held March 12, 2025. Staff reported early-year housing data, including two multifamily permits approved in February for a total of 12 units and 24 eviction cases, the highest monthly count since tracking began in January 2023. A presentation from Home for Good and consultant Jeff Washburn described plans to explore a community land trust to preserve long-term affordability and expand access to homeownership. The presentation noted an estimated $40,000–$41,000 affordability gap for a household earning the area median income to purchase a median-priced home, and discussed potential public-sector funding needs; no local funding allocation was proposed or approved.

The commission also discussed draft zoning-code changes and their possible effects on housing supply, affordability, and construction costs, including proposed design, garage, parking, tree-preservation, and affordability standards. Participants raised concerns that some requirements could increase costs or constrain twin-home and multifamily development, while staff described ongoing revisions and further cost analysis. The commission approved the February 12 meeting minutes; no contracts, bids, vendor selections, or other procurement actions were identified. Further commission input on the zoning proposals was anticipated at a future meeting.