Submitted by Mary Scyocurka
The SANDAG Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) Subcommittee Board Members have been presented a flawed methodology by SANDAG staff. The methodology used to calculate each city’s allocation of new housing units does not take into account particular issues that each of the cities will face.
For instance, coastal cities are already dense areas with higher costs of living, which tenants of subsidized housing will find difficult to afford. There are also environmental issues that would need to be addressed by the Coastal Commission before development can be increased along the shoreline. But because coastal cities have the trains running through them, they are being hit by high numbers.
There are areas, such as Imperial Beach and Coronado, that already have high density. Coronado has approximately 12,000 citizens per square mile, one of the densest areas of the county. There is essentially no land available for development.
Inland areas, especially the Unincorporated Areas, have the land to build plenty of the desired housing; however, there is literally no public transportation.
The methodology shows no regard for market forces. An Escondido council person stated that their city has streamlined the permit process. However, the city has been unable to find developers willing to build there.
Sacramento requested 171,000 new housing units for San Diego County. SANDAG had the opportunity to respond to the State with a lower figure. Upon discussion, the SANDAG Board came up with a more realistic figure that would commit the County to 60,000 fewer new homes. Some SANDAG members, however, voted for the higher number. Solana Beach is one city that voted for more housing, yet Solana Beach is being allotted the second lowest allocation.
The methodology does not take into account current density. State law requires SANDAG to consider constraints to development, such as sufficient infrastructure and availability of suitable land. It also does not take into account that cities with low populations may receive special consideration. Tribes on Indian Reservations have also not been taken into regard.
SANDAG’s Executive Director, Hassan Ikhrata stated that the methodology which would be presented to the Board would not necessarily make sense, but would be something that would be acceptable to Sacramento.
The RHNA Draft Methodology, which was presented to the entire Board, took into consideration on-base military housing. It is logical that cities should not be required to ensure homes for service members, who already have housing. SANDAG Board Members, who voted against the Subcommittee’s recommendations, have put out for Public Comment the Draft Methodology, which does not count military housing, but counts military jobs.
The jurisdictions only met 45% of their current cycle obligations. The proposed numbers are unachievable. While it is unlikely that even half of these homes will be built, certain SANDAG Board Members seem determined to put something on paper to appease Sacramento.
It is going to be impossible for cities to meet the submitted allocations. This will result in Sacramento withholding funds from and/or filing lawsuits against individual jurisdictions. This will penalize the citizens, from whom the funds have come, through their taxes.
For Coronado, this means that if the city does not build its obligation of 1,001 new housing units between 2019 and 2029, Sacramento will withhold $440,000 and Coronado will likely be hit with legal problems.
SANDAG has opened the Regional Housing Needs Assessment Draft Methodology for Public Comment through August 9th. Voters can send an email to all SANDAG Board Members through their clerk at [email protected].
Mary Scyocurka
