San Mateo County is experiencing an affordable housing crisis. The demand for housing affordable to all but the wealthiest residents far exceeds the available supply. Over the years, the Board of Supervisors has taken a number of steps to promote the development of affordable housing. Since 2003, the county has contributed to the development of 1,554 units of affordable housing located in projects throughout the County. The majority of these projects provide family housing, but five projects are for seniors, two were for special needs populations and two projects serve the homeless. A complete list of the projects is included in Appendix A to this White Paper. The Affordable Housing Fund, created by the Board of Supervisors in 2013, has distributed $13 million. Of those funds, $8 million was for the construction of 325 affordable units and $5 million is assisting with the renovation or expansion of 330 emergency shelters and transitional housing beds. An additional $12 million is being recommended by staff for FY 2015-17 which will help fund an estimated additional 330 housing units.  In October of 2014, all County-owned property was reviewed to identify potential affordable housing development sites. One parcel on the coast side is currently being evaluated and long terms plans are being developed for other parcels. To promote the construction of more affordable housing, San Mateo County has second unit and density bonus programs as well as an inclusionary housing ordinance.  In 2004, a rent control ordinance for mobile homes was approved. While important steps have been taken, more can be done.

This paper identifies measures the Board of Supervisors could take to address the housing crisis. The measures range from funding tenant outreach and education to adopting a rent control ordinance, amending zoning regulations and imposing developer impact fees. Some of the measures could be implemented quite soon while others would require additional research, community input or resolution of a State Supreme Court case. The measures are summarized below in bold followed by suggested directions to staff if the Board wants to pursue the measure. The measures are presented in two groups. The first group of actions would help current tenants remain in homes they can afford. The second group of actions promotes the development of new affordable housing. Each of these groups of actions – keeping people in homes and building more units that are affordable to all members of our community are equally important components of a plan to address the housing crisis.