CC 2017-12-12_12a PP_HomeShareSLO Housing Program
CONSIDERATION OF A REQUEST TO ALLOCATE $10,000 FROM THE CITY’S IN-LIEU AFFORDABLE HOUSING FUND TO THE HOMESHARESLO HOUSING PROGRAM FOR THE 2018
CALENDAR YEAR
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HomeShareSLO Background
HomeShareSLO received its non-profit status in April 2016.
Serves San Luis Obispo County residents.
Purpose - increase housing stock through the use of existing unused bedrooms.
Most home seekers are low-income or very low-income.
Most room providers are seniors living alone on a fixed income.
HomeShareSLO is modeled after 60 programs nationwide.
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HomeShareSLO Services
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Intake/screening services.
Reference checking.
Home inspections and initial interview.
Facilitation of introduction between potential homesharers.
Assistance in the negotiation of homesharing contracts.
Follow-up assistance.
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HomeShareSLO Accomplishments
(Since January 2017)
Enrolled approximately 35 home providers countywide.
Accepted 40 home-seekers.
Provided housing mentoring to about 220 persons.
Provided home share training to over 800 persons.
Facilitated 12 housing matches (24 clients, most of which are senior, low-income women).
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HomeShareSLO Proposal
HomeShareSLO requests that $10,000 be allocated from the City’s In-Lieu Affordable Housing Fund to provide training, outreach and services during the 2018 calendar year to match 3 low-income
renters with available empty bedrooms in Arroyo Grande homes owned by seniors.
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HomeShareSLO Benefits
Increase the City’s affordable housing stock at a low cost by using existing housing more efficiently.
Create more affordable room rental options through matching room providers with those seeking a place to live.
Utilize existing resources instead of constructing new housing on limited vacant land.
Provide additional revenue to low-income persons on a fixed income.
Provide companionship to isolated individuals.
Provide minimal assistance around the house for the homeowner (not care giving).
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Proposed Use of Funds
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City’s In-Lieu Affordable Housing Fund
Approximate fund balance is $338,000.
$175,000 is committed to the Courtland Street Apartments complex over the next 3 years, and $70,000 is committed to the East Grand Avenue Master Plan, providing an available fund balance
of approximately $93,000.
The City has allocated a total of $706,424 to the construction of 164 affordable units, or roughly $4,307 per unit.
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Issues Identified with the HomeShareSLO Program
The duration of the match is unclear, while constructed affordable housing units by non-profit housing builders secure long-term affordable housing.
The HomeShareSLO Program has no requirement for income verification of the home providers and home seekers.
Section 16.80.070 of the AGMC requires the In-lieu Affordable Housing Fund to be used for securing affordable housing, governed by a legal covenant that restricts the availability of
the units to lower-income and very low-income residents. Income verification is therefore required.
Unknown if the City will receive credit for these matches as part of the Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) of the General Plan Housing Element.
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Alternatives
1. Do not approve a $10,000 appropriation from the City’s In-Lieu Affordable Housing Fund to the HomeShareSLO program for the 2018 calendar year;
2. Do not approve a $10,000 appropriation from the City at this time, but direct staff to work with HomeShareSLO to determine whether measures could be taken to ensure HomeShareSLO’s
housing creation complies with the City’s allowable use of its in-lieu fees; or
3. Provide other direction to staff.
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Recommendation
It is recommended the City Council not appropriate $10,000 from the City’s In-Lieu Affordable Housing Fund for the HomeShareSLO program.
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Advantages
Not appropriating $10,000 from the City’s In-Lieu Affordable Housing Fund to the HomeShareSLO program allows the City to instead utilize these funds to secure additional permanent affordable
housing.
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Disadvantages
By not financially supporting this program, there will likely be fewer matches within the City. However, HomeShareSLO is eligible to apply for funding through the City’s Jim Guthrie
Community Service Grant Program, which has an annual budget of $20,000.
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Local Jurisdiction Funding for HomeShareSLO
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General Plan Housing Element
Several Housing Element policies support the HomeShareSLO Program (e.g. encourage special needs housing; disperse affordable housing units throughout the City; assist with affordable
senior rental housing; allow small-scale group housing, co-housing and similar unconventional housing arrangements).
Several Housing Element policies do not support the HomeShareSLO Program (e.g. City must work toward meeting its Regional Housing Needs Allocation; must maintain the affordability of
units for at least 45 (owner-occupied) or 55 years (rental units); the affordability of units must be monitored; financial resources from the City’s In-Lieu Affordable Housing Fund
must be used to augment extremely, very low, and low-income housing development.
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