Affordable housing requirements outlined for Curtis Park Village at SCNA's workshop

By Andrea Rosen
Viewpoint Staff Writer

Neighbors gathered in Curtis Hall last month to learn about the city of Sacramento's affordable housing ordinance as it applies to the proposed Curtis Park Village. Organized by SCNA's Neighborhood Concerns Committee, Beverly Fretz-Brown, a 26-year Curtis Park resident, affordable housing expert and former director of policy and planning for the Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency joined Brian Augusta of the Sacramento Housing Alliance to share information on city mandates for affordable housing.

Fretz-Brown summarized the city requirement that 15 percent of all residential units built in Curtis Park Village must meet the city of Sacramento's mixed income housing program's affordability standards. The city's ordinance requires that 10 percent of residences be offered to very low income residents and 5 percent to low income individuals or families.

Developers must either build the units or arrange for their construction along with the build out of the rest of the development. Petrovich Development has previously reported that it is working out its required draft inclusionary housing plan for consideration by the city and the neighborhood, which is required to be part of their final development application.

Augusta emphasized that today's affordable housing is a far cry from public housing of the past. He pointed to the St. Francis town homes at 25th and L Streets in midtown as one example of quality affordable housing.

Now affordable housing is typically privately developed and owned, said Agusta, but is often financed with public money. Affordable housing is required to blend in with the architecture and feel of the neighborhood. Both rental and owner-occupied housing are usually included. Units may be multi-family or single family though granny flats do not count toward the required percentages.

The neighborhood, the city and SHRA can have input into the design and plans for affordable housing, which can include senior housing. The developer's inclusionary housing plan is ultimately subject to final approval by the city.

The city requires that units remain affordable for 30-55 years. Deed restrictions enforce the affordability requirements upon resale or change in tenants. A key goal of the city's inclusionary housing program is to locate housing for all economic sectors near employment centers to reduce commute time, improve air quality and increase family time.

Some in the audience commented on how difficult it would be for new teachers at nearby local schools or firefighters or other entry level workers to buy a home in Curtis Park without the chance to buy or rent an affordable unit. One attendee told her moving story of buying an affordable residence created by the program and eventually being able to own a Curtis Park home as a result.

Return to Viewpoint Index