CC 2020-03-10_11a Supplemental No_ 1
MEMORANDUM
TO: CITY COUNCIL
FROM: WHITNEY McDONALD, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
SUBJECT: SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
AGENDA ITEM 11.a. – MARCH 10, 2020 CITY COUNCIL MEETING
CONSIDERATION OF ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION APPROVING THE
SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTYWIDE REGIONAL COMPACT TO
ADDRESS HOUSING AND INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS AND
AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO SIGN THE COMPACT
DATE: MARCH 9, 2020
Attached is correspondence received today regarding the above-referenced agenda item.
cc: City Manager
City Attorney
City Clerk
Public Review Binder
REACH
872 Higuera Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
March 8, 2020
Mayors and Councilmembers
Cities of San Luis Obispo County
Subject: Letter of Support for San Luis Obispo Countywide Regional Compact
Dear San Luis Obispo County Mayors and Councilmembers:
It is our privilege to address your councils on an issue of significant importance to the future of our region.
Formerly known as the Hourglass Project, our organization is called REACH – a Regional Economic Action Coalition.
As an Economic Impact organization, we are uniting public, private and civic leaders across the Central Coast of
California, from Vandenberg Air Force Base to Camp Roberts, encompassing 12 cities, 2 counties and about a half a
million residents to ensure current and future generations have the opportunity to thrive on the Central Coast.
Housing and infrastructure are critical to the future of our region, because the talented members of our workforce
and our private sector job creators depend on long-range, regional planning, prioritization and investment in
infrastructure and housing. These are the foundations of our community and our economy.
In December 2018, the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors approved a historic housing package that
addressed a number of key policies that impact housing in our region. One of these items was the adoption of a
county-led regional infrastructure and housing strategic planning effort. This effort was resourced by the board
with a full-time equivalent position to focus solely on this countywide collaborative effort.
Over the past year, the administrative officer directed the actions of the principal analyst charged with working
within the county, with cities and multiple partner organizations to set a vision for this bold and critically important
effort. This effort has resulted in a framework and broad support among government and private sector
stakeholders, alike.
The compact under your consideration is enthusiastically supported by the REACH Board of Directors, and key
business leaders from San Luis Obispo County and Northern Santa Barbara County.
We urge your support for the compact. By signing this compact, your demonstrated leadership and commitment
to working together will have a lasting impact on the long-term interests of our community. As this regional
planning work progresses, we encourage the Cities and San Luis Obispo County to include North Santa Barbara
County in this important effort, because jobs and housing are independent of our city/county boundaries. By
broadening this countywide effort, together, we can take a necessary step in realizing our full potential to create a
Central Coast where resident have an opportunity to thrive
If you have any questions, please contact me at 805-476-0412, or Andrew Hackleman at 805-391-4580.
Sincerely,
Melissa James
President/CEO
REACH
From:Kayla M Rutland
To:Kelly Wetmore
Subject:Comment RE: 11A Countywide Regional Compact
Date:Monday, March 09, 2020 8:58:34 AM
Attachments:156A Regional Compact AG City Council FINAL.pdf
Dear Ms. Wetmore,
The Healthy Communities Work Group would like to submit the attached letter of support for item
11A on the 3/10/20 City Council Agenda: Consideration of Adoption Of Resolution Approving The San
Luis Obispo Countywide Regional Compact To Address Housing and Infrastructure Needs and
Authorizing the Mayor to Sign the Compact.
We request that our comment is distributed to Council Members ahead of tomorrow’s meeting.
Thank you,
Kayla Rutland
Community Wellness Health Education Specialist
County of San Luis Obispo Health Agency | Public Health
(805) 781-1560 | krutland@co.slo.ca.us
slopublichealth.org
facebook | healslo.org
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COALITION PARTNERS:
Bike SLO County
Cal Poly State University
Community Action Partnership of SLO County
First 5 San Luis Obispo County
Independent Living Resource Center, Inc.
Rideshare – Safe Routes to School
Smart Share Housing Solutions
SLO Council of Governments
SLO County Departments:
Air Pollution Control District
Board of Supervisors
Health Commission
Public Health
Environmental Health
SLO County YIMBY
RESOURCES:
Data Dashboard, SLO Health Counts
Healthy Communities Webpage
Community Health Improvement Plan
HEAL-SLO is a community coalition addressing complex and overlapping health challenges through integrated solutions. In carrying out that
mission, a subcommittee called the Healthy Communities Work Group provides responses to Planning staff fr om a healthy community’s
perspective on proposed land development projects, ordinance and general plan amendments, and special projects.
City of Arroyo Grande Council
215 E Branch Street
Arroyo Grande, CA 93420
RE: San Luis Obispo Countywide Regional Compact
Dear Council Members of Arroyo Grande,
The Healthy Communities Work Group is a collaboration between public
health officials, local planning and transportation officials, community-based
organizations, academia, and community members, working to improve
health through community design. We provide research and evidence-based
recommendations from a health perspective on proposed land use projects,
ordinance and general plan amendments, and special projects.
The Healthy Communities Work Group strongly supports the adoption of the
San Luis Obispo Countywide Regional Compact.
Lack of housing availability and affordability negatively impacts physical and
mental health (see attachment, “Health and Housing”). In light of the critical
connection between health and housing, San Luis Obispo’s Community Health
Improvement Plan has identified this issue as a key priority, and set a
community goal to “improve access to affordable, attainable, safe and
supportive housing”1.
The Regional Compact provides a united regional framework to address
housing and infrastructure challenges. The compact sets the tone and goals
for future plans and actions among the local agencies. It recognizes that
people, water, transportation, connectivity, and housing form the foundation
of the region’s healthy, livable communities and thriving economic
opportunity. We agree that prioritizing investment in infrastructure and
housing will be key to meeting the State’s requirements.
The Healthy Communities Work group urges the City Council to adopt the
Regional Compact in an effort to unite around common infrastructure and
housing goals, and ultimately advance the wellbeing of all residents.
Sincerely,
Chuck Stevenson
Chuck Stevenson, AICP
Chair, Healthy Communities Work Group
________________________________________________________________
1SLO County Community Health Improvement Plan,
http://www.slohealthcounts.org/tiles/index/display?alias=CHIP
COALITION PARTNERS:
Bike SLO County
Cal Poly State University
Community Action Partnership of SLO County
First 5 San Luis Obispo County
Independent Living Resource Center, Inc.
Rideshare – Safe Routes to School
Smart Share Housing Solutions
SLO Council of Governments
SLO County Departments:
Air Pollution Control District
Board of Supervisors
Health Commission
Public Health
Environmental Health
SLO County YIMBY
RESOURCES:
Data Dashboard, SLO Health Counts
Healthy Communities Webpage
Community Health Improvement Plan
HEAL-SLO is a community coalition addressing complex and overlapping health challenges through integrated solutions. In carrying out that
mission, a subcommittee called the Healthy Communities Work Group provides responses to Planning staff fr om a healthy community’s
perspective on proposed land development projects, ordinance and general plan amendments, and special projects.
City of Arroyo Grande Council
215 E Branch Street
Arroyo Grande, CA 93420
RE: San Luis Obispo Countywide Regional Compact
Dear Council Members of Arroyo Grande,
The Healthy Communities Work Group is a collaboration between public
health officials, local planning and transportation officials, community-based
organizations, academia, and community members, working to improve
health through community design. We provide research and evidence-based
recommendations from a health perspective on proposed land use projects,
ordinance and general plan amendments, and special projects.
The Healthy Communities Work Group strongly supports the adoption of the
San Luis Obispo Countywide Regional Compact.
Lack of housing availability and affordability negatively impacts physical and
mental health (see attachment, “Health and Housing”). In light of the critical
connection between health and housing, San Luis Obispo’s Community Health
Improvement Plan has identified this issue as a key priority, and set a
community goal to “improve access to affordable, attainable, safe and
supportive housing”1.
The Regional Compact provides a united regional framework to address
housing and infrastructure challenges. The compact sets the tone and goals
for future plans and actions among the local agencies. It recognizes that
people, water, transportation, connectivity, and housing form the foundation
of the region’s healthy, livable communities and thriving economic
opportunity. We agree that prioritizing investment in infrastructure and
housing will be key to meeting the State’s requirements.
The Healthy Communities Work group urges the City Council to adopt the
Regional Compact in an effort to unite around common infrastructure and
housing goals, and ultimately advance the wellbeing of all residents.
Sincerely,
Chuck Stevenson
Chuck Stevenson, AICP
Chair, Healthy Communities Work Group
________________________________________________________________
1SLO County Community Health Improvement Plan,
http://www.slohealthcounts.org/tiles/index/display?alias=CHIP
Health & Housing:
Building the Connection
H e a l t h a n d h o u s i n g a r e d i r e c t l y c o n n e c t e d . I n S a n L u i s O b i s p o C o u n t y , h o u s i n gaffordability i s a c r i s i s t h a t s h a p e s h o m e a n d n e i g h b o r h o o d c o n d i t i o n s a n d a f f e c t s t h eoverall a b i l i t y o f r e s i d e n t s t o m a k e h e a l t h y c h o i c e s
Housing Affordability & Stability: Access to affordable
housing enables families to spend more on food, health
care, and medical insurance, which improves health
outcomes. Housing stability encourages residents to
develop roots and build community.
Neighborhood Conditions: A neighborhood’s physical
attributes can enhance health by facilitating
walkability/bikeability and access to public
transportation, parks, and fresh fruits and vegetables.
Social and community attributes, such as segregation
and the concentration of poverty, can negatively impact
health.
Conditions within the Home: Well-constructed and well-maintained housing can reduce health issues associated with
poor-quality housing, including: physiological health (lead, radon, mold, extreme temperatures); psychological health
(noise, inadequate light, security); and safety (falls, fires).
San Luis Obispo County ranked as the 6th
least-affordable housing market in the
nation in 2018.
The accessibility, availability, and affordability of healthy
food options increases likelihoods that residents will
have a balanced, nutritious diet.
Pedestrian and bike-friendly neighborhood design
reduces car usage, supports transit ridership, and
improves air quality.
In addition to promoting individual health, social
cohesion fosters community health by building
community trust; therefore increasing neighborhood
safety, reducing crime, and increasing pedestrian
activity.
In San Luis Obispo County, only 28.8% of adults walk
regularly (150 minutes a week or more) [3].
The California Office of Traffic Safety ranked San Luis
Obispo County as the 6th worst county in the state for
bicycle safety based on collision numbers [4].
Adults living in unaffordable housing are more likely
to describe themselves as being in fair or poor health
compared to similar individuals living in affordable
housing.
Unstable housing and crowding are linked to elevated
stress levels, depression, an increase in behavioral
and mental health issues, and an increased exposure
to infectious disease.
In San Luis Obispo County, 51.8% of renters spend
30% or more of household income on rent [1] .
National Association of Home Builders & Wells Fargo [2]
Unaffordable housing forces some residents to accept unhealthy or unsafe housing conditions, causing negative
health outcomes such as asthma, lead poisoning, burns and falls.
Researchers have documented that the current housing stock is ill-equipped to accommodate the growing share
of older and impaired adults, indicating an increasing need for home modifications that allow for maximum
residential mobility as homeowners age.
In San Luis Obispo County, 23.7% of residents face “severe housing problems”, meaning one or more of the
following: overcrowding, high housing costs, lack of kitchen, or lack of plumbing [5].
To learn more about the Healthy Communities Work Group
visit www.HEALSLO.com or call 805-781-1560
“Now, in light of the growing body of evidence about the many ways
that housing can affect health, it is clear that strategies must be
multifaceted ─ focusing on improving the physical quality of housing,
on strengthening health-promoting social as well as physical
conditions in neighborhoods, and on increasing access to affordable
housing for all Americans.”
The Healthy Communities Work Group presents the 5 P’s framework as a
starting point for cities and communities in San Luis Obispo County to limit
housing instability and improve the health of our residents:
1. Protection of existing residents by ensuring renters
can remain in their homes instead of facing the health
impacts of housing instability or displacement.
2. Preservation of existing housing at all affordability
levels despite changing economic conditions. By
rehabilitating aging or substandard housing, residents
can remain active and engaged in the communities they
call home.
3. Production of new housing units at a diversity of
affordability levels. Local jurisdictions can make balanced
housing production a priority through regulations and
incentives for developers and by using public resources
for housing development. By implementing creative
solutions, such as repurposing underutilized properties,
housing can be made available at a range of affordability
levels.
4. Participation of residents and community leaders in
decision-making processes that impact their housing
stability. When residents are engaged and invested in
the planning process, health outcomes improve.
5. Placement of housing near transit, jobs and
amenities. Homes in SLO County must support
residents’ health in a comprehensive, holistic way by
providing easy access to healthy food and physical
activity opportunities and acting as a buffer from
sources of pollution.
There are many solutions to our community’s diverse
housing challenges. By implementing a multifaceted
approach, San Luis Obispo County can improve the
wellbeing of residents through equitable access to
healthy housing.
Citations:
1. American Community Survey. Data Collected 2012-2016.
SLO Health Counts
2. National Association of Homebuilders & Wells Fargo Housing
Opportunity Index.
3. California Health Interview Survey. Data Collected 2013-
2014. SLO Health Counts.
4. Office of Traffic Safety Report (2015).
5. County Health Rankings. Data Collected 2010-2014. SLO
Health Counts.
Resources:
Healthy Communities Dashboard, SLO Health Counts
The Impacts of Affordable Housing on Health: A Research
Summary. Center for Housing Policy. 2015
Housing and health: new opportunities for dialogue and action.
National Center for Healthy Housing.
Where we live matters for our health: the links between housing
and health. Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Commission to
Build a Healthier America. 2008
-Robert Wood Johnson Foundation