All SBPL locations will be closed from Thursday, November 28 through Friday, November 29 for Thanksgiving.

11042
ID
Housing Crisis Ad Hoc Committee Community Workshop Presentation to the Community
Title

Housing Crisis Ad Hoc Committee Gathers Community Input

Authored on
Body

On October 14, 2024, the Santa Barbara City Council Housing Crisis Ad Hoc Committee (HCC) held a community workshop to gather input from residents on addressing the local affordable housing crisis. The valuable feedback gathered at this community meeting will help HCC prioritize areas for further research and implementation. 

Workshop Summary: 

  • Welcome & Introduction of the Housing Crisis Ad Hoc Committee
  • Powerpoint Presentation of HCC Findings
  • Breakout Discussion Groups & Report-back to HCC
  • Public Comment on Agendized Item

Resources:

For more information regarding Santa Barbara's housing needs and the goals, policies, and actions that reinforce the City’s pledge to affordable housing and effective community planning, visit the Housing Element Page.

Next Steps: 
The HCC will present its findings to the City Council during the Regular City Council Meeting on November 12, 2024.

HCC Background: 
The committee is tackling the housing crisis by discussing: rent stabilization, a “rental unit registry,” vacancy fees, a voucher program, “incentives for tenant retention,” developer incentives, impacts to “mom and pop” landlords, potential ballot measures, and a living wage ordinance.

  • Official Name: Housing Crisis Task Force
  • Formed on April 19, 2022
  • “Mayor Rowse appointed Councilmember O. Gutierrez as Chair of the Ad Hoc Committee and Councilmember A. Gutierrez and Sneddon as members.”
  • The motion was to create an Ad Hoc Committee to address the housing crisis while folding the items of rent cap and rent registry to further discuss in the Ad Hoc Committee.

Committee Goals:

  • Rely on local expertise and stakeholders to offer input and suggestions and priorities for Council to consider in addressing the local Affordable Housing Crisis
  • Hold a community forum to solicit community input on addressing the local Affordable Housing Crisis
  • Present to Council the full suite of suggestions with emphasis on the top recommendations from the Ad Hoc Committee with the goal of setting near- and long-term priorities