  Affordable Housing Week
May 11th to May 17th, 2008  |
 Please choose a subject from the list below:
The Sonoma County Housing Leadership Coalition will support and
promote housing that meets broad community goals and adds value
to the community. ADVOCACY back to top of page SCHC Finance Committee back to top of page SCHC Land Use Committee SCHC Public Policy Committee back to top of page The Sonoma County Housing Coalition Consensus Council Since 1978 NFH & SALT together have directly facilitated home
ownership and rental opportunities for the workforce of the North
Bay in over 40 projects providing over 2,500 homes with 650 (or
25%) affordable. Our five current projects are providing 1,600 more
with 1,050 (or 65%) affordable. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Gale Brownell is the current Chair of the Sonoma County Task Force on the Homeless. She has been on the Task Force Board since 2000, also serving as Vice-Chair, Advocacy Committee convenor and co-chair of the October in Paradise auction. In addition to serving on the Sonoma County Housing Coalition's
Consensus Council, she serves as the chair of the Land Use Committee.
She also represents the Task Force on the Steering Committee of
the Continuum of Care, a planning group which coordinates federal
funding Her personal interest in affordable housing and homelessness was
stimulated by the fact that one of her adult children cannot afford
market rate housing, and that members of her family have experienced
homelessness as a result of poor life choices. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------
Keith and Brenda have two children, Amy and Andy - both of who
are married and work for the Company. Andy recently became President
of the North Bay Division of CHI. Amy's position as Market Research
Supervisor provides research efforts critical for the planning and
growth of the Company. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Government Affairs Director for the North Bay Association of Realtors. NORBAR covers the counties of Sonoma, Mendocino, Lake and Napa. Prior to working for NORBAR Kathy was a Field Representative for Senator Mike Thompson in Sonoma and Mendocino County. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Patrick Kilkenny has been married to Linda for 34 years. They have three children, Mary-Kevin 26, Katie 25 and Brian 22. Patrick has been in the banking business for 34 years and has held
the titles of President, CEO for 19 years and is currently Chairman
of National Bank of the Redwoods and President & CEO of Redwood
Empire Bancorp. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ He resides in west Santa Rosa with his wife, Kathy Hayes, and twin sons, Logan and John. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ President, Community Housing Development Corporation of Santa Rosa. Community Housing Development Corporation of Santa Rosa is a grass roots community-based non-profit housing development organization located in Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, California. The mission of CHDC/SR is to develop and improve affordable housing
opportunities in Sonoma County for very low - income people of all
ages and backgrounds, with a special interest in developing and
expanding permanent supportive housing opportunities for people
living with disabilities. Board of Directors, Interfaith Shelter
network and Sonoma County representative of CASC, a Nine County
Network of bay area housing advocates. Founding member of the Sonoma
County Housing Advocacy Group, Vice Chair, Sonoma County Housing
Coalition, and member Nami Sonoma County. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Pamela Nobel is Assistant Vice President - Commercial Industrial
Division, for North Bay Title Company. She serves on the Land Use
Committee for the Sonoma County Alliance and is a member of Santa
Rosa's Main Street Economic Restructuring Committee. Pamela is an
active member of the Rotary Club of Windsor. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Trained as an Applied Social Psychologist. Earned BA and Masters at California State University, Los Angeles. Did doctoral work at The Claremont Graduate School - focused on human service organizational management. Conducted in-house research for Los Angeles County Department of Children's Services (1989-1992), including a study examining the unmet health needs of foster children. Co-founded and managed Vineyard Workers Services, a Sonoma Valley nonprofit corporation (1992-2001). Serves on 2 nonprofit boards (Interfaith Shelter Network & Community Housing Development Corporation-Santa Rosa), provided pro bono services to human service organizations (youth, child welfare, farmworker, and affordable housing), and a charter member of the Sonoma County Human Rights Commission (1992-1995). Member of Sonoma County Housing Advocacy Group. Investigative articles
published in the North Bay Progressive and the Sonoma Valley Voice. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Rick Theis is the founder of the Leadership Institute for Ecology and the Economy, training leaders to create public policy for a sustainable future. He is a former Santa Rosa Planning Commissioner and past chair
of the Sonoma County Transportation Land Use Coalition. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Cynthia has been a licensed real estate agent since 1980 and obtained her broker's license in 1990. In 1993, Cynthia received the CRS (Certified Residential Specialist) Designation by the Residential Sales council for the REALTORS National Marketing Institute, an affiliate of the National Association of Realtors. Only 5% of all realtors have earned the right to be called CRS due to enhanced sales knowledge, dedication and experience. Cynthia has been a Sonoma resident since 1980 and an active member of the community and civic organizations. Cynthia's years of experience in home sales have eared her an outstanding reputation throughout the community as a dedicated professional and expert in her field. She has extensive knowledge and specializes in luxury properties, vineyard properties, land and new development. Cynthia earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree Cum Laude in 1969 from the University of Kansas. Cynthia has held several positions with the California Association of Realtors and currently holds the position of the Director (since 1993) and the Region IV Chairman. She is also past President (1999) of the North Bay Association of Realtors and has held various other positions with NORBOR. She is Co-Chair of the Sonoma Valley Housing Affordability Advisory Group (SVHAAG) and is a member of the Sonoma County Housing Coalition (SCHC). Cynthia has been instrumental since the inception of SVHAAG as appointed by the Mayor 3 years ago. She assisted in the acquisition of a 3 acre site currently being developed by Burbank Housing for a For Sale affordable housing project of 20 homes on the southerly border of Sonoma. Cynthia is married and has three children. She and her husband
have owned and operated Woodfield Properties, a local property management
company specializing in Sonoma Valley vacation rentals since 1993. back to top of page BYLAWS OF THE SONOMA COUNTY HOUSING COALITION Section 1: NAME The name of this corporation is the Sonoma County Housing Coalition and may be referred to in these Bylaws as "The Coalition" or "Coalition" or "SCHC." Section 2: PRINCIPAL OFFICE The Coalition shall have its principal office for transaction of business in the County of Sonoma, and State of California. Section 3: CORPORATIONS WITHOUT MEMBERS The Coalition shall have no voting members within the meaning of the California Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation Law. The Coalition's board of directors may, in its discretion, admit individuals to one or more classes of nonvoting members; the class or classes shall have such rights and obligations as the Board finds appropriate. Section 4: STATEMENT OF PURPOSE PURPOSE This corporation is organized exclusively for charitable purposes within the meaning of Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3) or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal revenue law. Despite any other provision in these bylaws, the Coalition shall not, except to an insubstantial degree, engage in any activities or exercise any powers that do not further the purposes of this Coalition, and the Coalition shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on by (a) a corporation exempt from federal income tax under Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3) or the corresponding provision of any future United States internal revenue law, or (b) a corporation, contributions to which are deductible under Internal Revenue Code Section 170(c)(2) or the corresponding provision of any future United States internal revenue law. Further, no substantial part of the activities of the Coalition shall consist of lobbying or propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, except as provided in Internal Revenue Code Section 501(h); the Coalition shall not participate or intervene in (including publishing or distributing statements) any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office. In furthering its purpose, the Sonoma County Housing Coalition
specifically plans to educate the community as to the absolute necessity
for projects and public policies that support affordable and work
force housing and its role in the maintenance of a just society,
dynamic economy and protected environment. Section 5: SERVICE AREA The area to be served by the Coalition shall be the County of Sonoma. Section 6: LIMITATION OF METHODS The Coalition shall observe all local, state and federal laws, which apply to a nonprofit organization as defined in Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The Coalition is a nonprofit public benefit corporation and is not organized for the private gain of any person. It is organized under the California Nonprofit Benefit Corporation Law for public and charitable purposes. ARTICLE II DELEGATES Section 1: DELEGATES NOT MEMBERS The Delegates, as used herein, are not members within the meaning of the Nonprofit Corporation Law. Further, the Delegates do not have rights and obligations typical of a member in a membership organization. Delegates will have the rights and obligations expressly granted herein, as modified or amended by the Board of Directors. Section 2: ELIGIBILITY Any person, association, corporation, partnership, limited liability Company, nonprofit entity, trust, estate or other entity having an interest in the objectives of the organization shall be eligible to apply for delegate status with the SCHC. Section 3: APPLICATION FOR DELEGATESHIP Applications to be a delegate shall be in writing, on forms provided for that purpose, and signed by an authorized representative of the applicant. The Housing Consensus Council (defined below) shall review all applications and submit them to the current delegates at the earliest convenience with a recommendation for ratification. Final selection of new delegates shall be by the Housing Consensus Council at any meeting thereof. All applications shall be acted on within a timely fashion. Section 4: DESIGNATED REPRESENTATIVE FOR EXERCISE OF PRIVILEGES Any firm, association, corporation, partnership, limited liability Company, nonprofit entity, trust estate or other entity holding delegate status shall supply to the Coalition the name of a "designated representative" whom the holder desires to exercise the privileges of being a delegate covered by its subscriptions, and shall have the right to change its designated representative upon written notice. The person whose name is signed to the delegate application shall be presumed to be the designated representative of the delegate in the absence of such written notice. Section 5: DUES Any delegate to the Sonoma County Housing Coalition shall be required to contribute an annual amount in dues for the support of the organization. Dues shall be established by the Housing Consensus Council and ratified by the Delegates at the Housing Convention. The Housing Consensus Council may establish financial hardship qualifications for those seeking to have dues waived. Further, honorary delegate status may be conferred upon individuals by majority vote of the Housing Consensus Council. Section 6: GOOD STANDING Delegates who have paid the required dues in accordance with these bylaws, and who are not suspended, expelled or who have otherwise resigned, shall be delegates in good standing. Section 7: VOTING In any proceeding in which voting by delegates is called for, each delegate in good standing shall be entitled to cast one vote. Section 8: TERMINATION A) Any designated representative and/or delegate may resign from the Coalition by written notice delivered to the Housing Consensus Council; B) Any designated representative and/or delegate may be expelled from the Coalition by a two-thirds vote of the Housing Consensus Council, at a regularly scheduled meeting thereof, for conduct unbecoming a delegate or prejudicial to the aims or reputation of the Coalition, after notice and opportunity for a hearing are afforded the delegate complained against.
DELEGATE MEETINGS Section 1: DELEGATE CONVENTION A) The Convention of the Coalition shall be held within the County of Sonoma, California in a location that the Housing Consensus Council may designate, with a frequency of no less than once every two calendar years. B) The Chair of the Convention shall be chosen by the Housing Consensus Council prior to the convening of the SCHC Convention. Section 2: SPECIAL MEETINGS OF DELEGATES A) A special meeting of the delegates /representatives may be called at any time by the Chair of the Housing Consensus Council or the Housing Consensus Council itself by majority vote.
Section 3: QUORUM AT CONVENTIONS A) A majority (50% of delegate roster on file with the SCHC two weeks prior to date of convention plus one delegate) of the delegates shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the delegates, specifically the SCHC Convention. B) The delegates present at a duly called or duly held meeting at which a quorum is present may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough delegates to leave less than a quorum remaining, if any action taken (other than adjournment) is approved by at least a majority of the delegates initially required to constitute a quorum. Section 4: MEETINGS OF STANDING COMMITTEES The Chair of the Housing Consensus Council, or the Chair of the committee may call committee meetings at any time. A majority of the delegates on the said committee is a quorum of that committee.
HOUSING CONSENSUS COUNCIL Section 1: COMPOSITION OF THE HOUSING CONSENSUS COUNCIL A) The Housing Consensus Council shall be composed of no more than seventeen (17) Delegates and serve as the governing body of the Sonoma County Housing Coalition. B) Delegates shall be elected to the Housing Consensus Council by ……… C) The Housing Consensus Council will include: " The Chair of the most recent Convention; Section 2: THE COALITION'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS The Housing Consensus Council shall serve as the Board of Directors for the SCHC. Section 3: THE HOUSING CONSENSUS COUNCIL OFFICERS A) The Officers of the Housing Consensus Council will also serve as the officers of the SCHC. B) Upon it's re-constitution at the SCHC Convention, the Housing Consensus Council shall elect its' officers. The officers shall be elected by the majority vote of the Housing Consensus Council C) The SCHC Housing Consensus Council shall elect officers to the following officer positions: 1) Chair D) The Chair and Vice Chair position shall be held separately
but the Chair and Vice Chair may at the discretion of the SCHC Housing
Consensus Council serve also in the position of Secretary and/or
Treasurer. Section 4: DUTIES OF OFFICERS A) Chair of the Housing Consensus Council. 1) The Chair shall serve as the chief executive officer of the Coalition and shall preside at all meetings of the Housing Consensus Council. 2) The Chair may, with advice and consent of the SCHC Housing Consensus Council, all committees subject to recommendations from Standing Committee membership. B) Vice Chair of the Housing Consensus Council. The Vice Chair shall exercise the powers and authority and perform the duties of the Chair in the absence or disability of the Chair. The Vice Chair shall succeed to the office of Chair in the event of vacancy in that office, until such time as the SCHC Housing Consensus Council appoints a successor. C) Chief Financial Officer. 1) The Chief Financial Officer shall exercise the powers and authority and perform the duties of the Chair in the absence or disability of the Chair and Vice Chair. 2) The Chief Financial Officer shall be responsible for the safeguarding of all funds received by the Coalition and for their proper disbursement. Such funds shall be kept on deposit in financial institutions, or invested in a manner approved by the Housing Consensus Council. The Chief Financial Officer shall present a financial report in the form approved by the Housing Consensus Council from time to time, but at least yearly, and as deemed necessary by the Housing Consensus Council. These reports will be made available to the entire current delegate roster in written and electronic form. D) Secretary. 1) The Secretary shall exercise the powers and authority of the Chair in the absence of the Chair, Vice Chair and Chief Financial Officer. 2) The Secretary will maintain minutes of the SCHC Housing Consensus Council meetings and will assure the timely dissemination of those minutes to the full current delegate roster. 3) The Secretary will draft appropriate correspondence and execute
appropriate certificates at the direction of the SCHC Housing Consensus
Council or the Chair unless the Chair delegates said responsibility
to some other agent. The Housing Consensus Council may, at any time by majority vote, change the scheduled meeting date. B) Special meetings of the Housing Consensus Council may be called by the Chair of the Housing Consensus Council provided that notice shall be given to each Housing Consensus Council member stating the time, place and the purpose of the meeting, including an agenda, not less than three days preceding the meeting, if notice is written, or four hours if notice is electronic or by telephone. C) To better broaden the participation with the entire delegate roster, appropriate prior notice to Consensus Council meetings will be disseminated by electronic or other means. Section 6: INDEMNIFICATION The Coalition may, by resolution of the Housing Consensus Council, provide for indemnification by the Coalition of any and all of its officers or former officers in the same manner in which it provides for indemnification of Housing Consensus Council Members as set forth in Article IV Section 11 of these Bylaws. The Housing Consensus Council is to review its capability to do so as appropriate. Section 7: ASSUMPTION OF OFFICE All newly-elected or appointed Housing Consensus Council members shall assume the duties of office on the first meeting of the Housing Consensus Council following their election or appointment and shall be participating members of the Housing Consensus Council thereafter, replacing those Housing Consensus Council members whose terms have expired. They shall serve until their terms expire at the conclusion of the next Housing Convention. Section 8: QUORUM OF HOUSING CONSENSUS COUNCIL At any regular or special meeting of the Housing Consensus Council, a majority of the Housing Consensus Council members (9 members) shall constitute a quorum. Section 9: VOTING OF HOUSING CONSENSUS COUNCIL DELEGATES A) Housing Consensus Council members may vote on matters before the Housing Consensus Council in person or telephonically by permission of the Chair except to cast Blocking Votes (See section B). B) Vote Types: 1) Aye votes: Support of action being discussed. Section 10: VACANCIES A) The Housing Consensus Council will develop policies regarding maintenance of membership to the Housing Consensus Council including attendance and shall develop grounds for removal from the Housing Consensus Council. B) Vacancies on the Housing Consensus Council or among the officers shall be filled by appointment of the Chair of the Housing Consensus Council, subject to confirmation by the Housing Consensus Council. Section 11: POLICY The Housing Consensus Council is responsible for establishing operating procedures of the Coalition. It is also responsible for adopting all policies of the organization. These policies shall be maintained in a written or in an electronic policy manual, to be reviewed and revised as necessary. The Housing Consensus Council at its discretion may delegate policy-setting authority on specific areas to standing or ad hoc committees. Section 12: MANAGEMENT The Housing Consensus Council may appoint such operating staff as needed to accomplish the goals and efforts of the SCHC. Section 13: INDEMNIFICATION The Coalition by resolution of the Housing Consensus Council shall provide for indemnification by the Coalition for any and all of its Housing Consensus Council members or former Housing Consensus Council members, against expenses actually and necessarily incurred by them in connection with the defense of any action, suit, or proceeding, in which they or any of them are made parties, or a party, by reason of having been Housing Consensus Council members of the Coalition, except in relation to matters as to which such Housing Consensus Council member shall be found culpable based on the existence of gross negligence or misconduct. ARTICLE VCOMMITTEES Section 1: STANDING COMMITTEES There shall be four committees established by these bylaws that shall collectively be known as Standing Committees. They are: 1) The Public Advocacy Standing Committee whose function shall be 2) The Public Policy Standing Committee whose function shall be 3) The Land Use Standing Committee whose function shall be 4) The Finance Standing Committee whose function shall be Section 2: APPOINTMENT AND AUTHORITY Whenever reasonably possible the Standing Committee chairs shall be chosen from a list of delegate members of the respective committee. B) The Chair of the Housing Consensus Council with the approval of the Consensus Council shall also be empowered, to create such Ad Hoc Committees as deemed necessary and desirable to carry out the mission of the Coalition. The Chair shall have the authority to appoint members to and leaders of such Ad Hoc Committees. C) All committee members and leaders, whether related to Ad Hoc Committees or Standing Committees, shall serve at the will of the Chair of the Consensus Council, and their terms shall be concurrent with [that of the appointing Chair, unless a different term is approved by the Housing Consensus Council. D) It shall be the function of all committees to make recommendations to the Housing Consensus Council, and to carry on such activities as may be delegated to them by the Housing Consensus Council. Section 3: LIMITATION OF AUTHORITY A) No action by any delegate, committee member or chair, employee, or Housing Consensus Council member, shall be binding upon, or constitute an expression of the policy of, the Coalition until it shall have been approved or ratified by the Housing Consensus Council. B) Except for Standing Committees, Committees shall be discharged by the Chair of the Housing Consensus Council when their work has been completed and their reports accepted, or when, in the opinion of the Housing Consensus Council, it is deemed wise to discontinue the committee(s). Standing committees may be discharged only by an amendment to these Bylaws. Section 4: TESTIMONY Once committee action has been approved by the Housing Consensus Council, it shall be incumbent upon the committee Chairs or, in their absence those whom they designate as being familiar enough with the issue, to give testimony to, or make presentation before civic and governmental agencies. However, the primary spokesperson for the Coalition shall at all times be the Chair of the Housing Consensus Council unless the responsibility has been specifically delegated. Section 5: COMMITTEES A) The Housing Consensus Council may create such councils, divisions, bureaus, departments or subsidiary corporations, as it deems advisable to handle the work of the Coalition. B) The Housing Consensus Council shall authorize and define their powers and shall annually review and approve all activities and proposed programs of such councils, divisions, bureaus, departments, or subsidiary corporations, including collection and disbursement of funds. C) No action or resolution of any kind shall be taken by councils, divisions, bureaus, departments, or subsidiary corporations having bearing upon or expressive of the Coalition, unless approved by the Housing Consensus Council. D) The Housing Consensus Council's role is to be defined by resolution of the Housing Consensus Council and reviewed and approved at the convention.
FINANCES Section 1: FUNDS Funds received (including dues) by the Coalition, unless expressly designated, shall be placed in a general operating fund. Funds unused from the current year's budget will be placed in a reserve account or other accounts as approved by the Housing Consensus Council. Section 2: DISBURSEMENTS Upon approval of the budget, all authorized signers on behalf of the Coalition are authorized to make disbursements from accounts for expenses provided for in the budget without additional approval of the Housing Consensus Council. Disbursement shall be by check. Section 3: FISCAL YEAR The fiscal year of the Coalition shall be a calendar year. Section 4: BUDGET As soon as possible after the election of the new Housing Consensus Council and officers an annual budget will be adopted to be ratified by the Housing Consensus Council. Section 5: AUDIT The accounts of the Coalition shall be audited, as the Housing Consensus Council deems necessary but no less than once within every two fiscal years. The audit shall be available to delegates of the organization in either written form or by electronic means and kept on file with all other SCHC organizational records. Section 6: BONDING Officers and staff, as the Housing Consensus Council may by resolution designate, shall be bonded by a fidelity bond in the amount set by the Housing Consensus Council and paid for by the Coalition.
DISSOLUTION Section 1: PROCEDURE A) The Coalition shall use its funds only to accomplish the objectives and purposes specified in these Bylaws and the Articles of Incorporation, and no part of said funds shall inure, or be distributed, to the delegates of the Coalition. On dissolution of the Coalition, any funds remaining shall be distributed to one or more regularly-organized and qualified charitable, educational, scientific or philanthropic organizations as those terms are defined under Internal Revenue Code Section 501 (C) (3), or Coalitions and similar organizations as defined in Internal Code Section 501 (C) (6). B) The selection of any such organization and the distribution and the disbursement of funds shall be made by the last duly constituted Housing Consensus Council or such persons as may be duly appointed to preside over the dissolution of the corporation under the provisions of the California Corporations Code. In effecting such distribution, organizations providing services within the area served by the Coalition, as defined in Article 1 Section 3 of these bylaws, shall be preferred.
Section 1: PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY The current edition of Roberts Rules of Order shall be the final source of authority in all questions of parliamentary procedure when such rules are not inconsistent with the Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws of the Coalition.
Section 1: REVISIONS These Bylaws, other than a Bylaw fixing or changing the authorized number of Housing Consensus Council members, may be amended or altered by 2/3 of Current Housing Consensus Council membership. These Bylaws may be amended or altered by a majority of the delegates at any regular or special meeting.
CERTIFICATE OF ADOPTION OF BYLAWS I, the undersigned, do hereby certify: 1. That I am a duly-elected and acting secretary of SONOMA COUNTY HOUSING COALITION, a California nonprofit public benefit corporation; and 2. That the foregoing Bylaws, comprising twelve (12) pages, constitute the Bylaws of said corporation and duly adopted by action of the members of Housing Consensus Council on behalf of the delegates of the corporation duly taken in ____________ IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of said corporation ____________________ Secretary
SONOMA COUNTY HOUSING COALITION CONVENTION PLATFORM The Housing Leadership Coalition will support and promote housing that meets broad community goals and adds value to the community. I. The Housing Leadership Coalition supports housing for all income
levels, as defined below: II. The Housing Leadership Coalition supports the retention and rehabilitation of existing housing units affordable to low and very low-income individuals and families. III. The Housing Coalition supports the efforts and projects that address the housing needs of special populations (i.e., elderly, persons with disabilities (including individuals with HIV and AIDS), large families, farm workers, families with female heads of households, and families and persons in need of emergency shelter). IV. To receive Coalition endorsement, new housing must: A. Provide housing that is affordable to low, very low, or moderate income households. B. Discourage Sprawl by being located within existing UGBs, City Sphere of Influences and/or Urban Service Areas (with the possible exception of farm worker housing), C. Contribute to meeting the community's unmet fair share of regional housing needs. V. Additionally new housing should: A. Promote Walkable Communities and the Use of Public Transit and alternatives to the automobile, e.g. bicycles B. Promote Mixed Uses Within a Neighborhood, C. Provide for Creative Community Design, D. Promote Community Diversity, E. Promote Sustainable Economic Development, F. Promote Environmental Responsibility, G. Contributes to an efficient use of city and county services, H. Promotes Universal accessibility design. VI. The Coalition will endorse and advocate for specific plans, master plans and general plan amendments that would result in housing developments that reflect the guidelines in this statement. The Coalition may also oppose proposed land-use plans that are contrary to the Coalition's goals and objectives for housing. VII. The Coalition will endorse and advocate for public and private efforts to increase funding available for development of housing which is affordable to lower income households and households with special needs listed above. VIII. The Coalition will provide the following services to specific projects that meet its criteria for endorsement: A. A letter of support for the project from the Housing Leadership Coalition that can be publicly circulated. B. Support letters from individual Coalition members and organizations written for public circulation and public advocacy. C. Active advocacy of the project, including testimony at public hearings by a Coalition representative. IX. An individual or organization cannot use the Coalition name unless the Sonoma County Housing Leadership Coalition has endorsed the project. X. The Coalition will either endorse or remain neutral on specific projects submitted for review.
I. GENERAL GOALS - sources and uses of funds: 1) Design programs that can assist employers and other organizations to implement directed-housing funds from contributing providers. 2) Develop lending programs that provide predevelopment funding for projects. Authorize the creation of a predevelopment loan fund to provide short-term development assistance for eligible pre-development activities such as site control, technical assistance (TA), site acquisition, and project feasibility, 3) Develop financing programs that will support expanded supply of affordable housing options in Sonoma County. 4) Assist in the development of permanent local funding sources for the Sonoma County Housing Trust. Government and business funding will be sought. A. "Housing trust funds are a flexible way to generate much needed funds, address a variety of critical housing needs, and create new partnerships to build long -term support for affordable housing." In the last two decades more than a hundred housing trust funds have been set up in communities across the nation, from small towns of 1,000 people to some of the largest states. Trust funds fund a very wide range of housing types and services and are productive and efficient: less than two-tenths of one percent of units did not make it to construction.
The Housing Trust Funds will implement three basic housing Program
categories: The Trust Fund financing shall be targeted consistent with the unmet housing needs as identified by the Bay Area Association of Governments. The greatest needs are for very low and low-income housing. In light of this, 25% of the funding shall be used for rental housing affordable to very low and low income households, 25% to special needs housing such as facilities serving the homeless and very low or low income disabled or youth, and 25% to low, very low, or moderate income ownership. These percentages would represent the minimum allocations annually within the three basic categories. The remaining 25% of the funding would be allocated based upon written criteria, including the specific needs for housing funds and the delivery of available housing units within a given year. This formula will apply to expenditures of all public funds and all non-directed private funds. The Housing Trust will be capable of accepting directed funds from the private sector within the general goals of the Trust. II. Rental Housing 1) Develop lending programs that provide junior mortgage financing which will allow beneficial construction and permanent financing. 2) Work with Sonoma County employers and governmental jurisdictions to explore development of housing on their lands. Leasehold site control can significantly lower development costs, resulting in lower rent levels. Ill. Special Needs Housing 1) Develop criteria for funding the acquisition, development, rehabilitation and operation of facilities providing services to very low and low income with special needs. 2) Participate in funding the acquisition and rehabilitation of existing rental complexes that provide rental units to very low or low-income households at affordable rent levels. (The owners of several complexes are "opting out of FHA mortgages. This could cause substantial rent increases unless favorable financing can be found to protect the very low and low-income tenants.) IV. Ownership Housing 1) Develop a "silent second" mortgage program where the difference between an affordable sales price and the market rate is financed by a second mortgage from the Sonoma County Housing Trust or its designee. No payment would be required until the low or moderate-income household moved, sold the home, or retired the first mortgage. To maintain affordability, appropriate resale and recapture criteria will be considered in the creation of the note and deed of trust. 2) Provide the administrative support and up front costs for participation in a wide variety of below market rate mortgage financing targeted to first time homebuyers or the workforce. Such programs include HUD/FHA programs, California Housing Finance Agency (CHFA), Fannie Mae, Farmer's Home Administration, mortgage revenue bonds and mortgage credit certificates. Others such as the Public Employee Retirement System loans or union funded programs which assist low and moderate-income households should also be considered. 3) Implement employer specific funding programs established by individual companies for their employees. The companies, in compliance with federal regulations, subject to reasonable underwriting criteria would develop the lending criteria. V. Potential Funding Sources 1) Explore placing one or more tax measures on the ballot which
would be dedicated to funding the Sonoma County Housing Trust. 4) Consider using a portion of the existing or increased Transient Occupancy Tax. 5) Evaluate an appropriate Job-Housing Linkage Finance Fee. 6) Explore opportunities for corporate and private donations. 7) Increase redevelopment tax increment set-aside beyond the 20% minimum. 8) Explore the use of new in lieu fees. SONOMA COUNTY HOUSING COALITION I. Increase Densities To Create More Infill Housing a. Existing land within city boundaries (UBG's) and County Urban Service areas must achieve the highest density as supported by existing or planned infrastructure encouraging multi-family dwelling. b. Evaluate Low and Medium Density sites to increase the number of potential units and higher minimum densities. c. Increase densities at existing and proposed transit nodes, in the Downtown Areas, at General Plan commercial hubs and around educational and institutional centers to ensure that housing is developed close to transit corridors, educational hubs, commmercial/retail hubs and park and recreational facilities. d. Encourage increased height limits and lessen parking requirements.
a. Increase rental and for sale attached housing. b. Increase commercial, retail and residential mixed-use projects. c. Include a variety of income levels in attached housing. d. Increase the number of second dwelling units. III. Utilize Available Public Land For Housing a. Governmental agencies should designate the land-use for all
income IV. Allow Residential Uses In All Zones
a. Modify zoning requirements for SROs, mobile home parks, farm worker housing and special needs. Encourage flexibility in fee structure, parking and density. VI. Non-residential projects are encouraged to participate in the development of an affordable housing component. VII. Encourage planning jurisdication to use affordable housing overlay zoning.
Guiding Vision and Principles: Housing Public Policy must reflect a core value of providing housing for all socio/economic groups. Policies must be in place that promotes the effective and efficient use of land and money. A balance of housing types must be available in all communities. Housing (or lack of) must not be used by a community to discriminate or disenfranchise individuals or groups who live in a community. Elected Officials must realize that economic growth must relate to a community's housing capacity. Housing policy must have a regional perspective. The integration of transportation/housing/environmental/land use policies must occur. Platform 1) Housing Public Policy must ensure that housing is developed close to transit corridors, educational hubs, commercial/retail hubs and park and recreational facilities. 2) Land within city boundaries and county urban service areas must achieve the highest density as supported by existing or planned infrastructure, encouraging multi-family development. 3) In every Sonoma County jurisdiction, policies should be in place that provide for sufficient attached housing to meet affordable housing needs. 4) Rental housing for very low, low and moderate-income households should be a priority in every jurisdiction. 5) Each jurisdiction should consider mixed-use development in any zoning category. 6) Each jurisdiction should either have a multi-family housing zone overlay or identify specific sites throughout their jurisdiction for multi-family housing. 7) Within city boundaries and county urban service areas, jurisdictions should adopt minimum density levels. These minimum density levels should be at least at the mid-point of existing density ranges. High density zones in the area of urban centers with adequate infrastructure should be created with a flexible upper density limit. 8) Each jurisdiction should consider a jobs/housing impact policy. Both public and private employers should be included as part of any created jobs/housing impact policy. 9) Each jurisdiction when discussing funding sources will look for opportunities for the entire community to participate in funding affordable housing. 10) Each jurisdiction should require an inclusionary zoning policy. To the extent that in-lieu fees are an option, the fees should be sized appropriately and be part of a larger program focused on the creation of affordable housing. 11) Each jurisdiction should adopt a mobile-home park ordinance which discourages the conversion of the mobile home parks to another use. 12) Each jurisdiction should have policies in place that requires early public notification of potential loss of subsidized below market housing development to market rate status. Further, jurisdictions should evaluate their polices regarding new housing projects that receive local, state or federal monies with the intent of retaining the subsidized project for as long as possible. 13) Each Sonoma County jurisdiction should adopt a strong 2nd unit policy. Incentives should be provided for affordable rental residential 2nd units. 14) Each jurisdiction should have a fast track process for affordable housing - however, this process should not circumvent an appropriate neighborhood review process. 15) We should encourage SRO development with changes to zoning codes, fee structures and parking requirements. 16) Special needs housing as (defined in the advocacy platform) should be addressed. Policies should include review of density, policies, fee adjustments, parking requirements and funding mechanisms. 17) Each Sonoma County jurisdiction must do an annual assessment that specifically assesses housing goals and policies. Further, each jurisdiction is required to take action based on the annual assessment by making changes to policies and regulations that are impeding them from meeting their housing goals set forth in the Housing Element. 18) The Sonoma County Housing Leadership Coalition will actively
advocate at the regional and state and federal levels in cooperation
with local elected officials for policies that reinforce and support
the platform goals and objectives. Dear Coalition Member: Since our Convention in August 2001, the Consensus Council (CC) has had many successes. We have adopted By Laws, and Articles of Incorporation and wish to thank Lanahan & Reilley for their assistance. These documents can be found, on our new website, info@schousingcoalition.org. Our logo was designed by Kurt West and the website by Peter Kingston. The website provides Project Endorsement guidelines, CC members and contact numbers, List of coalition members, and the platform passed unanimously by the SCHC in August. To date we have endorsed three affordable housing projects, Sonoma Springs Village Project (80 units), 623 Aston (10 units) in Sonoma County, and Cypress Ridge Project (112 units) in Santa Rosa. These projects, when approved, collectively will provide 212 new affordable units. Our advocacy, through endorsement both written and oral has helped move these projects through the public hearing process. We are working on a Jobs Housing Linkage Policy and have the framework for a Housing Trust in conjunction with the Community Foundation. The 13 members of the CC are committed and energetic about the Sonoma County Housing Coalition (SCHC). After only 6 months as a volunteer organization, we are beginning to see the necessity of funding to continue our efforts. The CC has adopted what we believe to be a fair and equitable dues structure. We understand when the SCHC formed; it was intended to be volunteer, as it will remain. However there are basic operating costs, mailing, web site maintenance, etc. which we are unable to support. We hope the dues structure will meet with your support. We are
committed to the strength of the Coalition, please let us know if
there is a problem in contributing to this organization. We are
certainly willing to look at scholarships for individuals. The next
convention will be supported by another vigorous sponsorship program
and these dues will be used for the day to day obligations of the
Coalition. Trade Associations/Chamber/ Large Employers - $250 We are mindful in forming SCHC we intended for it to remain a volunteer group. However, except by instituting a small annual dues structure, we do not have a financial resources to cover our basic minimal monthly operating costs, which now include mailings, web site maintenance and filing fees. Pat Kilkenny will continue to manage our account through the National Bank of the Redwoods. Thank you for your support of the Coalition. Please contact me if there are any questions. Sincerely, Jim Leddy About Us | Join
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