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Home Resource Center In the News Home Greenbelt Alliance in the News |
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Greenbelt Alliance In the News
April 24, 2006 Affordable housing on Contra Costa agenda Subheading By Rebecca Rosen LumThe commute gets ever longer -- especially for those whose incomes can't pay for what Contra Costa is selling. After months of pressure from affordable housing groups, the Planning Commission is considering forcing homebuilders in unincorporated county areas to include units for low and moderate income people so they might have a crack at living where they work. Responding to a gap between income and housing prices, cities including Brentwood, Pittsburg, Concord, Walnut Creek and San Ramon, have passed such "inclusionary housing" ordinances. The need is "dire," said Rev. Phil Lawson of East Bay Housing Organizations. "Members of our community have to choose between long commutes or not being able to afford food or other daily necessities," he said. Although it has no inclusionary rule for developers, the county has negotiated for affordable units in a handful of major projects, including Dougherty Valley and Camino Tassajara. However, just weeks ago, Contra Costa County allowed a Windemere developer to raise the income limit for affordable rental units in its theirsubdivision. Forty percent of all building in Contra Costa takes place in the unincorporated areas, said Kate O'Hara of the Greenbelt Alliance. The Planning Commission meets at 7 p.m. Tuesday in Room 107 of the County Administration Building, 651 Pine St. in Martinez.
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