Housing Readiness Report

Local housing programs, as part of a housing element, have significant impacts on a city or county reaching its affordable housing goals. Each additional housing policy has a significant impact on the residents who are most in need of affordable housing. However, the number of programs that a jurisdiction includes in their housing element is not meant to imply how well a city or county is addressing local housing needs since the quality and impact of each will need to be determined as well.

PROGRAM NUMBER	ACTIONS	DELIVERABLE	DELIVERABLE DATE
A.2	The County will continue to use Code Enforcement and Building and Safety staff to conduct code enforcement on a complaint-driven basis to address safety and code compliance issues. To ensure the County has an accurate percentage of the homes in need of rehabilitation and replacement, the County will analyze the data from the recent Homeacres survey to determine where to focus rehabilitation efforts. Based on findings of the focused evaluation, the County will identify measures to encourage housing preservation, conservation, "Planning for a Sustainable Solano County" and acquisition rehabilitation, and mitigate potential costs, displacement and relocation impacts on residents. These measures may include, but are not limited to: • Expedite permit review for home repairs on housing units identified during the conditions survey. • Seek funding to offer relocation assistance to low-income tenants or owners displaced during rehabilitation efforts. • Seek funding to develop a housing rehabilitation program (see A1). Targeted efforts to improve housing and environmental conditions in areas of need will facilitate place-based revitalization and assist in reducing displacement risk for these residents by improving living conditions and enabling them to remain in their home and community.	Reduce displacement risk and encourage place-based revitalization by facilitating rehabilitation of 10 units by providing informational materials to owners in violation of County codes on available assistance programs, annually promote available assistance programs in areas of concentrated lower-income households and target efforts in the eastern and southern portions of the unincorporated county.	Make informational materials available by December 2023 to be provided on an ongoing basis when violations are confirmed, conduct code enforcement as complaints are received. Evaluate the Homeacres Survey by August 2023 and determine next steps by January 2024. Seek funding to develop a housing rehabilitation program and to offer relocation assistance on an annual basis, and establish these programs within six months of receiving funding.
B.1	Thus far, all subsidized housing projects have been built in the incorporated areas of the county where there is easy access to sewer lines and other urban services. County staff will work with incorporated municipal staff to increase the supply of affordable housing in a range of sizes within their spheres of influence, in areas designated as Urban Residential, as infrastructure and services are limited in unincorporated areas outside of spheres of influence. To encourage the development of these sites, the County will work with the adjacent cities to ensure that their prezoning of these sites can accommodate housing for up to 25 units per acre and the County will support the annexation process of these sites into the cities when the cities are ready to annex. The County will continue to streamline annexation applications to assist with the development of housing. The County will also continue "Planning for a Sustainable Solano County" to coordinate with cities regarding sites in the sphere of influence as part of a countywide collaborative effort to align County zoning with planned city pre-zoning to encourage higherdensity, multifamily development. The County will also engage with cities during any General Plan and Zoning updates or other planning efforts, to encourage any areas in the sphere of influence to be pre-zoned for higher-density, multifamily development and streamlined annexation. Upon annexation of these sites into the cities, the County, if necessary, will also negotiate a transfer of RHNA units that will be accommodated on these sites. The County will identify opportunities to facilitate affordable, higher-density residential and mixeduse development in commercial corridors by preparing information for developers about development regulations under AB 2011 and proactively reaching out to developers with this information at least twice during the planning period. Additionally, the County will develop a brochure online and in print to inform residents about their development rights under SB 9 and will provide this information within property tax bills to homeowners in single-family zoned areas at least twice during the planning period. The municipalities and County will jointly pursue state or federal funds to subsidize housing in these areas. By working with these municipalities and the Solano County Housing Authority, the County will be able to expand its affordable housing activities, for example, by developing a joint down payment assistance program. Additionally, the County will continue to facilitate the development of multifamily housing and affordability within cities' boundaries by providing ARPA funding as it is available. The County will also continue to provide home rehabilitation funding to enable current residents to stay in their current homes and will evaluate the feasibility of both a JADU incentive program and permitting JADUS beyond the requirements of State law to encourage increased density in built-out areas. The County will maintain the availability of existing housing by continuing its existing home rehabilitation program and, as part of its JADU evaluation, will evaluate the possibility of using home rehabilitation funding to fund the addition of JADUs into existing units.	130 lower-income units of a variety of types, including multifamily, JADU, and rehabilitation, within cities and spheres of influence to promote construction of new housing opportunities in proximity to services, transit, and other amenities.	Solano County will set up an annual meeting to discuss potential projects with the Housing Authority and incorporated cities beginning in 2024. Streamline annexation on an ongoing/as-needed basis and provide ARPA and home rehabilitation program funding as available. Evaluate a JADU incentive program, permitting JADUs beyond the requirements of State law, and using rehabilitation funding to fund the addition of JADUS within one year of adoption and implement within six months whichever is determined to be feasible. At least twice during the planning period, conduct proactive outreach to homeowners in single-family-zoned areas about SB 9 and to developers about development opportunities under AB 2011.
B.2	The County shall promote accessory dwelling units (ADUs) as an affordable housing option and an economic mobility opportunity in Solano County through the following actions: "Planning for a Sustainable Solano County" • Continue to implement streamlined permitting processes for ADUs. • Continue to make information available at the public counter about ADU options and standards. • Provide guidance and educational materials for building ADUs on the County’s website and present the permitting procedures and construction resources at least two public meetings, as well as educate the community on ADUs and to increase housing access and affordability. Additionally, the County shall present homeowner associations with the community and neighborhood benefits of ADUs, inform them that covenants, conditions, and restrictions (CC&Rs) prohibiting ADUs are contrary to State law, and ask homeowner associations to encourage such uses. • The program will track ADU approvals and affordability. The County will use this monitoring program to track progress in ADU development and upon assessment will adjust or expand the focus of its education and outreach efforts and incentives, which may include the addition of pre-approved plans through the 2023–2031 planning period. The County will evaluate ADU approvals and affordability every other year, beginning in 2024, and identify additional site capacity for other affordable housing opportunities, if needed, by 2026. If additional sites must be rezoned, they will be consistent with Government Code Sections 65583(f) and 65583.2(h).	126 lower-income ADUs, 63 moderate-income ADUs, and 21 above moderate-income ADUs; promote construction of lower-income units in high-resource areas and where it is not suitable for multifamily development due to infrastructure constraints.	Make ADU materials available by June 2023; evaluate effectiveness of ADU approvals and affordability every other year, beginning in 2024 and enhance education, outreach and incentives as needed, within six months of evaluation. Identify additional site capacity, if needed, twice during the planning period, in 2026 and 2029.
B.3	The County is in the process of creating an accessory dwelling unit incentive program and the County Board of Supervisors has earmarked $2 million dollars toward implementation. The program will offer homeowners financial assistance to help offset the cost of constructing the ADU in exchange for placing a deed restriction (50 percent of the AMI or lower) on the unit for the duration of the loan. The allocated loan amount would be contingent on the accessory dwelling unit size.	30 ADUs for very low -income households with at least 10 of these in areas of concentrated affluence to promote housing mobility for very low-income households and combat income segregation	Start program grants by June 2023, provide program information on the County’s website by June 2023. Market availability of this program to homeowners through at least annual notices in community newsletters or newspapers, emphasizing marketing in areas of concentrated affluence and eastern and southern portions of the unincorporated county, and through printed materials in county buildings. "Planning for a Sustainable Solano County"
B.4	The County will continue to allow housing developments with at least 20 percent affordable housing by right on lower-income housing sites that have been counted in previous housing element cycles, consistent with Government Code Section 65583.2(c).		Upon adoption of the Housing Element.
B.5	The County will continue to facilitate multifamily development within the incorporated cities by coordinating to prezone parcels before initiating the LAFCO process and provide funding as available. The County will annually reach out to cities with parcels in the SOI to discuss funding availability. The County will also prepare a community plan that will serve as a basis to rezone several sites along the Benicia Road corridor within the Homeacres community. This plan will be to promote commercial uses along the commercial corridor as well as higher dense housing.	50 units affordable to lower income households in areas of concentrated affluence, and eastern and southern portions of the unincorporated county, to promote housing mobility for very lowincome households and combat income segregation.	Prepare the community plan that will serve as a basis for rezoning by December 2024, complete rezoning as determined by the plan by June 2025. Reach out to cities with parcels in the SOI to discuss funding availability on an annual basis and apply for funding as opportunities become available.
B.6	To provide for a variety of housing types the county will continue to permit duplexes, triplexes, townhomes and will research innovative and alternative housing options that provide greater flexibility and affordability in the housing stock. This would include further reduction in regulatory barriers for tiny houses, microhomes, housing cooperatives, and other alternative housing types as well as explore a variety of densities and housing types in all zoning districts. The County will use this program to target development of a variety of housing types in areas of concentrated overpayment to reduce displacement risk as well as promote inclusion and support integration of housing types based on income to facilitate mobility opportunities.	50 units affordable to lower income households in areas of higher income, and eastern and southern portions of the unincorporated county, to promote housing mobility for very low-income households, combat income segregation and address overpayment.	Complete research of innovative and alternative housing options to help further affordable housing production by December 2024, amend the zoning ordinance by October 2025.
C.1	The County will use available local funding sources for affordable housing, primarily involving application for CDBG funds from the state and HOME funds and seeking to expand the County’s Section 8 voucher program. The County will apply for funding based on the level of public demand. To leverage local subsidy sources, the County and County Housing Authority will seek funding for extremely low-, very low-, and low-income housing assistance through state and federal housing programs in the development of local housing assistance programs. "Planning for a Sustainable Solano County" The County is increasing, and will continue to increase, its competitiveness for these grants through such actions as preparing and adopting a Housing Element that meets state laws, identifying County resources to be used as matching funds for federal and state programs, and coordinating with local service providers regarding state grant opportunities.	Identify funding to assist in the development of 30 lower-income units, encouraging projects using this funding to be located near services, such as within the spheres of influence of incorporated cities, in areas with concentrations of overpayment, and eastern and southern portions of the unincorporated county,.	Apply for funding on an annual basis, or as public demand necessitates. Organizations will be contacted annually regarding available funding. Board of Supervisors will receive an update at least once a year as part of the annual reporting process (Government Code Section 65400).
C.2	The County will amend the Zoning Code to comply with changes in California’s density bonus law (California Government Code Section 65915, as revised) and will promote the use of density bonuses for lower-income units by providing information through a brochure in County buildings and on the County’s website.	10 lower-income units to facilitate housing mobility opportunities, particularly as part of income-integrated developments in areas with high rates of overpayment and eastern and southern portions of the unincorporated county.	Update density bonus ordinance by December 2024.
C.3	Though there are not currently any affordable units at -risk of converting to market- rate, the County shall maintain and develop an affordable housing database, if needed, as a mechanism to monitor and identify units at risk of losing their affordability subsidies or requirements. For complexes at risk of converting to market rate, the County shall: • Contact property owners of units at risk of converting to market-rate housing within one year of affordability expiration to discuss the County’s desire to preserve complexes as affordable housing. • Coordinate with owners of expiring subsidies to ensure the required notices to tenants are sent out at 3 years, 12 months, and 6 months. • Reach out to agencies interested in purchasing and/or managing at-risk units. • Work with tenants to provide education regarding tenant rights and conversion procedures pursuant to California law.	The County does not currently have any units at-risk but will continue to annually monitor units at risk of converting; coordinate noticing as required by California law.	Preserve lower-income units as funding expires to reduce displacement risk.
C.4	The County will work to ensure coordination between County and other public and private housing assistance programs and affordable housing developers, including coordinating resources for affordable housing production and notifying the public of available affordable housing programs. The County will continue to work with the City of Vacaville Housing Authority to administer the Section 8 program. The County will also work with the City of Vacaville Housing Authority to provide assistance, by request, for lower-income families that use housing choice vouchers to identify housing opportunities in areas of high opportunity and close proximity to resources to improve opportunities for mobility between low and high resource areas, by request. To increase the availability of rental opportunities for low-income residents, the County will meet with the Housing Authority to identify strategies to incentivize landlords to market their units to voucher holders, promoting the incentives, particularly in high resource areas. The County will also work with the Housing Authority to apply for Mortgage Credit Certificates (MCC) from the California Debt Limit Allocation Committee and will promote the availability of down payment assistance from the Golden State Finance Authority. To reduce displacement risk of prospective homebuyers being priced out of the community, the County will promote the availability of these programs in areas with concentrations of renters, particularly low-income renters, by providing informational materials at public buildings and locations and will maintain information on the programs on the County’s website.	Connect 15 eligible residence with assistance programs to reduce displacement risk and assist in housing mobility for eligible households. Target the eastern and southern portions of the unincorporated county	Develop informational materials to distribute by May 2024, update at least annually. Meet with Housing Authority staff by December 2023 to identify opportunities to apply for funding annually, or as available.
D.1	The County will seek to coordinate programs and funding from state and federal programs through the Dixon Housing Authority. To assist the needs of farmworkers, who are typically extremely low-income households, the county will complete the following: • Coordinate with service providers, nonprofit organizations, employers, developers, Dixon and Yolo Housing Authorities, and other Solano County jurisdictions to explore funding and incentives and to identify specific farmworker development opportunities. Farmworker development opportunities will be identified at least twice during the planning period. Seek partnerships, and work to identify funding for solutions such as financing through USDA. At least every other year, beginning in 2024, to provide opportunities for expanding the Dixon Migrant Center as demand necessitates. • Coordinate with the County Housing Authority, to provide assistance to the farming community and housing developers in obtaining loans and grants and processing applications for the rehabilitation and/or establishment of new farm labor housing under U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development and HCD programs and other funding sources that may become available. • Work with HCD to apfor Joe Serna Jr. Farmworker Housing Grant Program. • Coordinate with service providers, nonprofit organizations, employers, developers, and other Solano County jurisdictions to explore funding and incentives and to identify specific farmworker development opportunities. Seek partnerships, and work to identify funding for solutions such as financing through USDA. "Planning for a Sustainable Solano County" • Monitor the migrant student population in the schools in the unincorporated county and take additional actions to serve the farmworker population if an increase in population occurs. • Provide regulatory incentives for construction of farmworker housing and include a requirement to prioritize a portion of new units for farmworkers. • Annually reach out to affordable housing developers to gather interest and input on the need for farmworker housing and provide information on available funding. • Conduct a farmworker housing needs survey Coordinate a farmworker housing needs survey working with Solano County jurisdictions to identify the needs of farmworkers. After completion of the survey, the County will prepare an action plan. • Develop an informational brochure explaining options, the permitting process, and possible funding sources for the development of farmworker housing by December 2024. • Contact agricultural stakeholders and the nonprofit community to discuss possible options for locating suitable and available sites for farmworker housing by the end of 2024. The County will then assist nonprofit groups and stakeholders to pursue funding resources, water and sewage availability, and entitlements if necessary.	Encourage the development of 40 farmworker housing units near agricultural uses, to increase housing opportunities near employment.	Ongoing; develop an informational brochure explaining options, permitting process, and possible funding sources for the development of farmworker housing by December 2024. The County will reach out to stakeholders at least every other year to discuss the demand for farmworker housing and whether pursuit of funding for this type of housing is needed, at least annually, as part of regular meetings with the Ag Advisory Committee and the Farm Bureau. Assist with grant applications as NOFAs are released. Conduct a farmworker survey by December 2025 and prepare an action plan by June 2026. Identify potential development opportunities for farmworker housing at least twice during the planning period.
D.2	The County will work with housing providers to ensure that special housing needs and the needs of lower-income households are addressed for seniors, large families, female-headed households, female-headed households with children, persons with physical and development disabilities, extremely low-income households, and homeless individuals and families. The County will seek to meet these special housing needs through a combination of density bonuses, regulatory incentives, zoning standards, new housing construction programs, and supportive services programs. • Provide incentives to builders to provide housing and care choices for seniors and persons with disabilities of all income levels (possible incentives will include reduced setbacks, reduced parking requirements, and technical assistance with applications for funding). "Planning for a Sustainable Solano County" • Provide incentives to builders to provide larger rental housing with multiple bedrooms affordable to lower- and moderate-income households, aiming for construction of at least 20 units that meet these sizes. • Promote market-rate and affordable housing sites, housing programs, and financial assistance available from the county, state, and federal governments. • Apply or support others’ applications for funding under state and federal programs designated specifically for special-needs groups and other lower-income households, such as seniors, persons with physical and developmental disabilities, extremely lowincome households, and persons at risk for homelessness. • Pursue grants, such as HOME matching grants, CDBG, Farmworker Housing Grant Program, and other appropriate federal and state funding, to use in incentivizing development of special-needs housing of all types. • Where unmet needs are demonstrated, the County will give preference in its funding decisions to projects addressing special housing needs.	Incentivize, support, and encourage the construction of 25 accessible units near services in high resources areas, and eastern and southern portions of the unincorporated county, to facilitate mobility opportunities.	Identify funding opportunities annually, or as funding becomes available.
D.3	The County will cooperate with incorporated cities within the county and other agencies in the development of programs aimed at providing homeless shelters and related services. During this coordination, the County will determine what efforts to take, such as providing education on the financial assistance and programs available. Through the collaborative efforts of the Continuum of Care, the County will continue to assess the magnitude of the homeless problem and to coordinate and promote housing assistance programs for the homeless. The County will promote the use of community facilities and continue to work with service agencies to provide short-term emergency housing for the homeless (rotating church space, hotel/motel vouchers, armories, public spaces, emergency shelters for natural disasters, special need shelters such as battered women's shelters, sober housing, etc.). The County will continue to encourage and work with and assist nonprofit housing development corporations to promote, assist, or sponsor housing for the homeless. The County will also use available CDBG funding to provide seed money to assist nonprofit agencies in these efforts. Through its Zoning Code, the County will continue to provide opportunities for sites to accommodate emergency shelters and transitional housing in all its residential zoning districts through the use permit process and to accommodate farmworker housing in the Agricultural zoning districts. "Planning for a Sustainable Solano County"	Assist with program development and funding identification that will assist at least 10 homeless persons.	Meet with cities annually to discuss homeless issues and identify actions to address homelessness. Attend and participate in meetings to implement homelessness strategies.
D.4	The County will encourage additional housing resources for extremely low-income residents, particularly seniors and persons with physical or developmental disabilities, through a variety of actions, including: • Facilitate and encourage the construction of housing affordable to extremely low-income households by assisting nonprofit and for-profit developers with financial and/or technical assistance in a manner that is consistent with the County’s identified housing needs. • Provide financial support annually, as available, to organizations that provide counseling, information, education, support, housing services/referrals, and/or legal advice to extremely low-income households, persons with disabilities, and persons experiencing homelessness. • Expand regulatory incentives for the development of units affordable to extremely lowincome households and housing for special-needs groups, including persons with disabilities (including developmental disabilities), and individuals and families in need of emergency/transitional housing. • Reach out to developers annually to identify barriers to constructing housing for extremely low-income households, opportunities to address those barriers, and opportunities for development of extremely low-income housing.	Assist 10 extremely low-income households to reduce displacement risk, encourage 10 units for extremely low-income households in high opportunity areas near services, employment opportunities, and other resources. Target the eastern and southern portions of the unincorporated county. "Planning for a Sustainable Solano County"	Ongoing, as projects are processed by Resource Management. By December 2024, outreach to organizations that support extremely low-income residents to understand funding needs, and review and prioritize local funding at least twice in the planning period, and support expediting applications as they are submitted. Reach out to developers annually starting April 2024.
D.5	Fair housing is defined as a condition where individuals of similar incomes in the same housing market have a like range of choice available to them regardless of their race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, familial status, marital status, or other such factors. To comply with Assembly Bill (AB) 686, the County has included an Assessment of Fair Housing in this Housing Element and identified the following actions to affirmatively further fair housing (AFFH): • Implement the following actions: o Actions to support place-based revitalization: A.1, A.2, H.1, I.1 o Actions to encourage new affordable housing opportunities: B.1, B.2, C.1, C.2, D.1, D.2 o Actions to facilitate housing mobility opportunities: B.2, C.4, D.2, E.1 o Actions to reduce displacement risk: A.1, A.2, C.4, D.3, E.1, I.1 • Continue to provide fair housing services in the unincorporated area through the Solano County and City of Vacaville housing authorities. In coordination with the City of Vacaville Housing Authority, the County will continue to assist the public in matters concerning fair housing issues and referrals to appropriate investigative and enforcement agencies. Should the number of complaints increase, or the Housing Authority does not have capacity to provide fair housing services, the County will seek funding annually to contract directly with a fair housing service provider, such as Fair Housing Advocates of Northern California (FHANC). Provide fair housing support and assistance to at least 20 households annually, or as needed. • Promote equal housing opportunities through the distribution and posting of fair housing information in coordination with other agencies at public building and facilities and other locations throughout the entire county by December 2024. Through the Housing Counseling Program, the County will continue to promote fair housing education through fair housing workshops, landlord training, and tenant credit repair workshops and tenants’ rights clinics at various locations throughout the county, with each being offered at least every other year. • By December 2025, provide information on the County’s website about affordable homeownership and rental options in the county and update as new opportunities become available. By request, help lower-income households locate affordable housing opportunities. • Ensure all public outreach materials and information on program availability and funding announcements are accessible for all persons, including translation and dictation as needed, by June 2023. Information on translation services, and information on program availability and funding announcements will be made available on the County’s website in English, Spanish, Asian and Pacific Islander languages, and any other dominant languages, as needed, by June 2023. • Annually work with schools and transit agencies to ensure all students have equitable access to educational opportunities, therefore removing any barriers to residing in more rural unincorporated areas.		Refer to each bulleted action for specific timeframes.
D.6	The County shall take the following actions to improve access to opportunity for residents of low-resource areas, with a priority on nonagricultural areas with low populations densities to encourage residential uses near services and resources: • Meet with school district representatives and transit agencies by July 2025 to ensure busing meets the needs of the student population residing in the unincorporated county. The County will also address the following with the school district: o Developing a program to assist school districts in training classroom aides through the Health and Social Services Department programs such as CalWorks; and o Supporting school applications for grants that may be used for teacher recruitment and retention bonuses, providing classroom materials, and other similar incentives to attract high-quality teachers. • Promote CalWorks in rural areas of the unincorporated County on an annual basis to improve access to employment training, assistance, and job opportunities. The County will develop strategies to expand the effectiveness of employee training programs for lowerincome residents and special-needs groups, particularly in rural areas, and will implement strategies within six months of establishing strategies. These strategies may include: o Continue to support small business establishment so interested residents in rural areas can secure home occupation permits; and o Providing at least annual events where Solano County Health and Social Services staff go to communities of need to connect residents with resources and training. • Work with Solano Mobility and incorporated cities to develop a fact sheet, or similar informational materials, of Solano Mobility programs to be posted on the County’s website, social media, and in public buildings by January 2025, updated at least annually thereafter as needed, to help connect seniors and other residents to services throughout the county. • Continue to annually incorporate public input into the County’s 5-Year Capital Improvement Plan to prioritize areas of need and prevent concentrated investment in any one area of the unincorporated county, with the intent of reducing investment-driven displacement risk.		Refer to each bulleted action for specific timeframes.
E.1	Pursuant to Government Code Section 65583(c)(3), the County will encourage universal design in all multifamily development by making a brochure on universal design, resources for design, and compliance with County requirements available at County buildings by December 2024 and distributing the brochure to developers and to community organizations serving individuals with disabilities. The County will also review the current reasonable accommodation procedure to ensure the required findings, specifically the findings stating “Whether the requested accommodation would reduce barriers and increase visibility on the site, in light of physical attributes of the property and its structures”, to ensure consistency with State and Federal requirements and that they are not potential barriers to housing for persons with disabilities. The County will continue to provide information to individuals with disabilities regarding reasonable accommodation policies, practices, and procedures based on the guidelines from the HCD. This information will be available through postings and pamphlets at the County and on the County’s website.	The County will encourage the development or modification of at least 25 accessible units, aiming for at least four in areas with a higher concentration of special-needs groups and two in high-opportunity areas.	Review and revise the existing reasonable accommodations ordinance by November 2023; create brochures on universal design and the reasonable accommodations ordinance by July 2024 and update biannually, or as needed.
E.2	The County will continue to implement the expedited permit assistance program for residential projects, which includes pre-application meetings and streamlining the approval process of affordable residential units. The County will also establish a written policy or procedure, and other guidance as appropriate, to specify the Senate Bill (SB) 35 streamlining approval process and standards for eligible projects, as set forth under Government Code Section 65913.4.	The County continue to help to streamline the permit processing procedure, aiming to encourage the development of at least 30 affordable units.	Develop an SB 35 streamlining approval process by January 2024 and implement as applications are received. Provide pre-applications by request.
E.3	Amend the County’s Zoning Ordinance to address the following development standards and barriers to special-needs housing: • Accessory Dwelling Units: Amend the Zoning Code as necessary to be consistent with the latest state legislation related to ADUs, , in accordance with California Government Code Section 65852.2. • Employee Housing: Treat employee/farmworker housing that serves six or fewer persons as a single-family structure and permit it in the same manner as other single-family structures of the same type within the same zone across all zones that allow single-family residential uses. Treat employee/farmworker housing consisting of no more than 12 units or 36 beds as an agricultural use and permit it in the same manner as other agricultural uses in the same zone, in compliance with the California Employee Housing Act (Health and Safety Code Sections 17021.5,17021.6, and 17021.8). • Transitional and Supportive Housing: Define and permit transitional housing and supportive housing as a residential use and only subject to those restrictions that apply to other residential dwellings of the same type in the same zone (Government Code Section 65583(a)(5). Additionally, allow supportive housing in multifamily and mixed-use zones (Government Code Section 65651 (AB 2162)). • Definition of Family: Review and amend the definition of “family,” in the Solano County Zoning Code to not limit family by size or relation such that it does not impede the ability of persons with disabilities to locate housing. • Emergency Shelters: Permit Emergency Shelters in the Residential-Traditional Community Multifamily (R-TC-MF) by-right without discretionary review and allow sufficient parking to accommodate all staff working in emergency shelters, in compliance with Government Code Section 65583(a)(4)(A)(ii). Expand the definition of emergency shelters to include "Planning for a Sustainable Solano County" Housing Element Page HE - 3 0 other interim interventions, including but not limited to, navigation centers, bridge housing, and respite or recuperative care. The County will also review existing capacity in the R-TCMF zone on an ongoing basis and ensure that sufficient capacity for development exists to allow for potential emergency shelter development in proximity to necessary services and resources. • Low-Barrier Navigation Centers: Permit low-barrier navigation centers, defined as low barrier, temporary service-enriched shelters to help homeless individuals and families to quickly obtain permanent housing, by right in zones where mixed-uses are allowed or in nonresidential zones that permit multifamily housing (Government Code Section 65662 (AB 101)). • Residential Care Facilities. Allow residential care facilities for seven or more persons subject to those restrictions that apply to residential care facilities for six or fewer persons, in compliance with the state definition of “family.” • Parking Standards. General Parking Standards. The County will review and revise all parking standards and modify standards for multifamily and mixed-use buildings to mitigate possible constraints on development.		Complete Zoning Ordinance Amendments by December 2024; annually review Zoning Code and revise as needed. Complete ADU amendments, as necessary to comply with State Law by June 2024.

PROGRAM NUMBER

ACTIONS

DELIVERABLE

DELIVERABLE DATE

A.2

The County will continue to use Code Enforcement and Building and Safety staff to conduct code enforcement on a complaint-driven basis to address safety and code compliance issues. To ensure the County has an accurate percentage of the homes in need of rehabilitation and replacement, the County will analyze the data from the recent Homeacres survey to determine where to focus rehabilitation efforts. Based on findings of the focused evaluation, the County will identify measures to encourage housing preservation, conservation, "Planning for a Sustainable Solano County" and acquisition rehabilitation, and mitigate potential costs, displacement and relocation impacts on residents. These measures may include, but are not limited to: • Expedite permit review for home repairs on housing units identified during the conditions survey. • Seek funding to offer relocation assistance to low-income tenants or owners displaced during rehabilitation efforts. • Seek funding to develop a housing rehabilitation program (see A1). Targeted efforts to improve housing and environmental conditions in areas of need will facilitate place-based revitalization and assist in reducing displacement risk for these residents by improving living conditions and enabling them to remain in their home and community.

Reduce displacement risk and encourage place-based revitalization by facilitating rehabilitation of 10 units by providing informational materials to owners in violation of County codes on available assistance programs, annually promote available assistance programs in areas of concentrated lower-income households and target efforts in the eastern and southern portions of the unincorporated county.

Make informational materials available by December 2023 to be provided on an ongoing basis when violations are confirmed, conduct code enforcement as complaints are received. Evaluate the Homeacres Survey by August 2023 and determine next steps by January 2024. Seek funding to develop a housing rehabilitation program and to offer relocation assistance on an annual basis, and establish these programs within six months of receiving funding.

B.1

Thus far, all subsidized housing projects have been built in the incorporated areas of the county where there is easy access to sewer lines and other urban services. County staff will work with incorporated municipal staff to increase the supply of affordable housing in a range of sizes within their spheres of influence, in areas designated as Urban Residential, as infrastructure and services are limited in unincorporated areas outside of spheres of influence. To encourage the development of these sites, the County will work with the adjacent cities to ensure that their prezoning of these sites can accommodate housing for up to 25 units per acre and the County will support the annexation process of these sites into the cities when the cities are ready to annex. The County will continue to streamline annexation applications to assist with the development of housing. The County will also continue "Planning for a Sustainable Solano County" to coordinate with cities regarding sites in the sphere of influence as part of a countywide collaborative effort to align County zoning with planned city pre-zoning to encourage higherdensity, multifamily development. The County will also engage with cities during any General Plan and Zoning updates or other planning efforts, to encourage any areas in the sphere of influence to be pre-zoned for higher-density, multifamily development and streamlined annexation. Upon annexation of these sites into the cities, the County, if necessary, will also negotiate a transfer of RHNA units that will be accommodated on these sites. The County will identify opportunities to facilitate affordable, higher-density residential and mixeduse development in commercial corridors by preparing information for developers about development regulations under AB 2011 and proactively reaching out to developers with this information at least twice during the planning period. Additionally, the County will develop a brochure online and in print to inform residents about their development rights under SB 9 and will provide this information within property tax bills to homeowners in single-family zoned areas at least twice during the planning period. The municipalities and County will jointly pursue state or federal funds to subsidize housing in these areas. By working with these municipalities and the Solano County Housing Authority, the County will be able to expand its affordable housing activities, for example, by developing a joint down payment assistance program. Additionally, the County will continue to facilitate the development of multifamily housing and affordability within cities' boundaries by providing ARPA funding as it is available. The County will also continue to provide home rehabilitation funding to enable current residents to stay in their current homes and will evaluate the feasibility of both a JADU incentive program and permitting JADUS beyond the requirements of State law to encourage increased density in built-out areas. The County will maintain the availability of existing housing by continuing its existing home rehabilitation program and, as part of its JADU evaluation, will evaluate the possibility of using home rehabilitation funding to fund the addition of JADUs into existing units.

130 lower-income units of a variety of types, including multifamily, JADU, and rehabilitation, within cities and spheres of influence to promote construction of new housing opportunities in proximity to services, transit, and other amenities.

Solano County will set up an annual meeting to discuss potential projects with the Housing Authority and incorporated cities beginning in 2024. Streamline annexation on an ongoing/as-needed basis and provide ARPA and home rehabilitation program funding as available. Evaluate a JADU incentive program, permitting JADUs beyond the requirements of State law, and using rehabilitation funding to fund the addition of JADUS within one year of adoption and implement within six months whichever is determined to be feasible. At least twice during the planning period, conduct proactive outreach to homeowners in single-family-zoned areas about SB 9 and to developers about development opportunities under AB 2011.

B.2

The County shall promote accessory dwelling units (ADUs) as an affordable housing option and an economic mobility opportunity in Solano County through the following actions: "Planning for a Sustainable Solano County" • Continue to implement streamlined permitting processes for ADUs. • Continue to make information available at the public counter about ADU options and standards. • Provide guidance and educational materials for building ADUs on the County’s website and present the permitting procedures and construction resources at least two public meetings, as well as educate the community on ADUs and to increase housing access and affordability. Additionally, the County shall present homeowner associations with the community and neighborhood benefits of ADUs, inform them that covenants, conditions, and restrictions (CC&Rs) prohibiting ADUs are contrary to State law, and ask homeowner associations to encourage such uses. • The program will track ADU approvals and affordability. The County will use this monitoring program to track progress in ADU development and upon assessment will adjust or expand the focus of its education and outreach efforts and incentives, which may include the addition of pre-approved plans through the 2023–2031 planning period. The County will evaluate ADU approvals and affordability every other year, beginning in 2024, and identify additional site capacity for other affordable housing opportunities, if needed, by 2026. If additional sites must be rezoned, they will be consistent with Government Code Sections 65583(f) and 65583.2(h).

126 lower-income ADUs, 63 moderate-income ADUs, and 21 above moderate-income ADUs; promote construction of lower-income units in high-resource areas and where it is not suitable for multifamily development due to infrastructure constraints.

Make ADU materials available by June 2023; evaluate effectiveness of ADU approvals and affordability every other year, beginning in 2024 and enhance education, outreach and incentives as needed, within six months of evaluation. Identify additional site capacity, if needed, twice during the planning period, in 2026 and 2029.

B.3

The County is in the process of creating an accessory dwelling unit incentive program and the County Board of Supervisors has earmarked $2 million dollars toward implementation. The program will offer homeowners financial assistance to help offset the cost of constructing the ADU in exchange for placing a deed restriction (50 percent of the AMI or lower) on the unit for the duration of the loan. The allocated loan amount would be contingent on the accessory dwelling unit size.

30 ADUs for very low -income households with at least 10 of these in areas of concentrated affluence to promote housing mobility for very low-income households and combat income segregation

Start program grants by June 2023, provide program information on the County’s website by June 2023. Market availability of this program to homeowners through at least annual notices in community newsletters or newspapers, emphasizing marketing in areas of concentrated affluence and eastern and southern portions of the unincorporated county, and through printed materials in county buildings. "Planning for a Sustainable Solano County"

B.4

The County will continue to allow housing developments with at least 20 percent affordable housing by right on lower-income housing sites that have been counted in previous housing element cycles, consistent with Government Code Section 65583.2(c).

Upon adoption of the Housing Element.

B.5

The County will continue to facilitate multifamily development within the incorporated cities by coordinating to prezone parcels before initiating the LAFCO process and provide funding as available. The County will annually reach out to cities with parcels in the SOI to discuss funding availability. The County will also prepare a community plan that will serve as a basis to rezone several sites along the Benicia Road corridor within the Homeacres community. This plan will be to promote commercial uses along the commercial corridor as well as higher dense housing.

50 units affordable to lower income households in areas of concentrated affluence, and eastern and southern portions of the unincorporated county, to promote housing mobility for very lowincome households and combat income segregation.

Prepare the community plan that will serve as a basis for rezoning by December 2024, complete rezoning as determined by the plan by June 2025. Reach out to cities with parcels in the SOI to discuss funding availability on an annual basis and apply for funding as opportunities become available.

B.6

To provide for a variety of housing types the county will continue to permit duplexes, triplexes, townhomes and will research innovative and alternative housing options that provide greater flexibility and affordability in the housing stock. This would include further reduction in regulatory barriers for tiny houses, microhomes, housing cooperatives, and other alternative housing types as well as explore a variety of densities and housing types in all zoning districts. The County will use this program to target development of a variety of housing types in areas of concentrated overpayment to reduce displacement risk as well as promote inclusion and support integration of housing types based on income to facilitate mobility opportunities.

50 units affordable to lower income households in areas of higher income, and eastern and southern portions of the unincorporated county, to promote housing mobility for very low-income households, combat income segregation and address overpayment.

Complete research of innovative and alternative housing options to help further affordable housing production by December 2024, amend the zoning ordinance by October 2025.

C.1

The County will use available local funding sources for affordable housing, primarily involving application for CDBG funds from the state and HOME funds and seeking to expand the County’s Section 8 voucher program. The County will apply for funding based on the level of public demand. To leverage local subsidy sources, the County and County Housing Authority will seek funding for extremely low-, very low-, and low-income housing assistance through state and federal housing programs in the development of local housing assistance programs. "Planning for a Sustainable Solano County" The County is increasing, and will continue to increase, its competitiveness for these grants through such actions as preparing and adopting a Housing Element that meets state laws, identifying County resources to be used as matching funds for federal and state programs, and coordinating with local service providers regarding state grant opportunities.

Identify funding to assist in the development of 30 lower-income units, encouraging projects using this funding to be located near services, such as within the spheres of influence of incorporated cities, in areas with concentrations of overpayment, and eastern and southern portions of the unincorporated county,.

Apply for funding on an annual basis, or as public demand necessitates. Organizations will be contacted annually regarding available funding. Board of Supervisors will receive an update at least once a year as part of the annual reporting process (Government Code Section 65400).

C.2

The County will amend the Zoning Code to comply with changes in California’s density bonus law (California Government Code Section 65915, as revised) and will promote the use of density bonuses for lower-income units by providing information through a brochure in County buildings and on the County’s website.

10 lower-income units to facilitate housing mobility opportunities, particularly as part of income-integrated developments in areas with high rates of overpayment and eastern and southern portions of the unincorporated county.

Update density bonus ordinance by December 2024.

C.3

Though there are not currently any affordable units at -risk of converting to market- rate, the County shall maintain and develop an affordable housing database, if needed, as a mechanism to monitor and identify units at risk of losing their affordability subsidies or requirements. For complexes at risk of converting to market rate, the County shall: • Contact property owners of units at risk of converting to market-rate housing within one year of affordability expiration to discuss the County’s desire to preserve complexes as affordable housing. • Coordinate with owners of expiring subsidies to ensure the required notices to tenants are sent out at 3 years, 12 months, and 6 months. • Reach out to agencies interested in purchasing and/or managing at-risk units. • Work with tenants to provide education regarding tenant rights and conversion procedures pursuant to California law.

The County does not currently have any units at-risk but will continue to annually monitor units at risk of converting; coordinate noticing as required by California law.

Preserve lower-income units as funding expires to reduce displacement risk.

C.4

The County will work to ensure coordination between County and other public and private housing assistance programs and affordable housing developers, including coordinating resources for affordable housing production and notifying the public of available affordable housing programs. The County will continue to work with the City of Vacaville Housing Authority to administer the Section 8 program. The County will also work with the City of Vacaville Housing Authority to provide assistance, by request, for lower-income families that use housing choice vouchers to identify housing opportunities in areas of high opportunity and close proximity to resources to improve opportunities for mobility between low and high resource areas, by request. To increase the availability of rental opportunities for low-income residents, the County will meet with the Housing Authority to identify strategies to incentivize landlords to market their units to voucher holders, promoting the incentives, particularly in high resource areas. The County will also work with the Housing Authority to apply for Mortgage Credit Certificates (MCC) from the California Debt Limit Allocation Committee and will promote the availability of down payment assistance from the Golden State Finance Authority. To reduce displacement risk of prospective homebuyers being priced out of the community, the County will promote the availability of these programs in areas with concentrations of renters, particularly low-income renters, by providing informational materials at public buildings and locations and will maintain information on the programs on the County’s website.

Connect 15 eligible residence with assistance programs to reduce displacement risk and assist in housing mobility for eligible households. Target the eastern and southern portions of the unincorporated county

Develop informational materials to distribute by May 2024, update at least annually. Meet with Housing Authority staff by December 2023 to identify opportunities to apply for funding annually, or as available.

D.1

The County will seek to coordinate programs and funding from state and federal programs through the Dixon Housing Authority. To assist the needs of farmworkers, who are typically extremely low-income households, the county will complete the following: • Coordinate with service providers, nonprofit organizations, employers, developers, Dixon and Yolo Housing Authorities, and other Solano County jurisdictions to explore funding and incentives and to identify specific farmworker development opportunities. Farmworker development opportunities will be identified at least twice during the planning period. Seek partnerships, and work to identify funding for solutions such as financing through USDA. At least every other year, beginning in 2024, to provide opportunities for expanding the Dixon Migrant Center as demand necessitates. • Coordinate with the County Housing Authority, to provide assistance to the farming community and housing developers in obtaining loans and grants and processing applications for the rehabilitation and/or establishment of new farm labor housing under U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development and HCD programs and other funding sources that may become available. • Work with HCD to apfor Joe Serna Jr. Farmworker Housing Grant Program. • Coordinate with service providers, nonprofit organizations, employers, developers, and other Solano County jurisdictions to explore funding and incentives and to identify specific farmworker development opportunities. Seek partnerships, and work to identify funding for solutions such as financing through USDA. "Planning for a Sustainable Solano County" • Monitor the migrant student population in the schools in the unincorporated county and take additional actions to serve the farmworker population if an increase in population occurs. • Provide regulatory incentives for construction of farmworker housing and include a requirement to prioritize a portion of new units for farmworkers. • Annually reach out to affordable housing developers to gather interest and input on the need for farmworker housing and provide information on available funding. • Conduct a farmworker housing needs survey Coordinate a farmworker housing needs survey working with Solano County jurisdictions to identify the needs of farmworkers. After completion of the survey, the County will prepare an action plan. • Develop an informational brochure explaining options, the permitting process, and possible funding sources for the development of farmworker housing by December 2024. • Contact agricultural stakeholders and the nonprofit community to discuss possible options for locating suitable and available sites for farmworker housing by the end of 2024. The County will then assist nonprofit groups and stakeholders to pursue funding resources, water and sewage availability, and entitlements if necessary.

Encourage the development of 40 farmworker housing units near agricultural uses, to increase housing opportunities near employment.

Ongoing; develop an informational brochure explaining options, permitting process, and possible funding sources for the development of farmworker housing by December 2024. The County will reach out to stakeholders at least every other year to discuss the demand for farmworker housing and whether pursuit of funding for this type of housing is needed, at least annually, as part of regular meetings with the Ag Advisory Committee and the Farm Bureau. Assist with grant applications as NOFAs are released. Conduct a farmworker survey by December 2025 and prepare an action plan by June 2026. Identify potential development opportunities for farmworker housing at least twice during the planning period.

D.2

The County will work with housing providers to ensure that special housing needs and the needs of lower-income households are addressed for seniors, large families, female-headed households, female-headed households with children, persons with physical and development disabilities, extremely low-income households, and homeless individuals and families. The County will seek to meet these special housing needs through a combination of density bonuses, regulatory incentives, zoning standards, new housing construction programs, and supportive services programs. • Provide incentives to builders to provide housing and care choices for seniors and persons with disabilities of all income levels (possible incentives will include reduced setbacks, reduced parking requirements, and technical assistance with applications for funding). "Planning for a Sustainable Solano County" • Provide incentives to builders to provide larger rental housing with multiple bedrooms affordable to lower- and moderate-income households, aiming for construction of at least 20 units that meet these sizes. • Promote market-rate and affordable housing sites, housing programs, and financial assistance available from the county, state, and federal governments. • Apply or support others’ applications for funding under state and federal programs designated specifically for special-needs groups and other lower-income households, such as seniors, persons with physical and developmental disabilities, extremely lowincome households, and persons at risk for homelessness. • Pursue grants, such as HOME matching grants, CDBG, Farmworker Housing Grant Program, and other appropriate federal and state funding, to use in incentivizing development of special-needs housing of all types. • Where unmet needs are demonstrated, the County will give preference in its funding decisions to projects addressing special housing needs.

Incentivize, support, and encourage the construction of 25 accessible units near services in high resources areas, and eastern and southern portions of the unincorporated county, to facilitate mobility opportunities.

Identify funding opportunities annually, or as funding becomes available.

D.3

The County will cooperate with incorporated cities within the county and other agencies in the development of programs aimed at providing homeless shelters and related services. During this coordination, the County will determine what efforts to take, such as providing education on the financial assistance and programs available. Through the collaborative efforts of the Continuum of Care, the County will continue to assess the magnitude of the homeless problem and to coordinate and promote housing assistance programs for the homeless. The County will promote the use of community facilities and continue to work with service agencies to provide short-term emergency housing for the homeless (rotating church space, hotel/motel vouchers, armories, public spaces, emergency shelters for natural disasters, special need shelters such as battered women's shelters, sober housing, etc.). The County will continue to encourage and work with and assist nonprofit housing development corporations to promote, assist, or sponsor housing for the homeless. The County will also use available CDBG funding to provide seed money to assist nonprofit agencies in these efforts. Through its Zoning Code, the County will continue to provide opportunities for sites to accommodate emergency shelters and transitional housing in all its residential zoning districts through the use permit process and to accommodate farmworker housing in the Agricultural zoning districts. "Planning for a Sustainable Solano County"

Assist with program development and funding identification that will assist at least 10 homeless persons.

Meet with cities annually to discuss homeless issues and identify actions to address homelessness. Attend and participate in meetings to implement homelessness strategies.

D.4

The County will encourage additional housing resources for extremely low-income residents, particularly seniors and persons with physical or developmental disabilities, through a variety of actions, including: • Facilitate and encourage the construction of housing affordable to extremely low-income households by assisting nonprofit and for-profit developers with financial and/or technical assistance in a manner that is consistent with the County’s identified housing needs. • Provide financial support annually, as available, to organizations that provide counseling, information, education, support, housing services/referrals, and/or legal advice to extremely low-income households, persons with disabilities, and persons experiencing homelessness. • Expand regulatory incentives for the development of units affordable to extremely lowincome households and housing for special-needs groups, including persons with disabilities (including developmental disabilities), and individuals and families in need of emergency/transitional housing. • Reach out to developers annually to identify barriers to constructing housing for extremely low-income households, opportunities to address those barriers, and opportunities for development of extremely low-income housing.

Assist 10 extremely low-income households to reduce displacement risk, encourage 10 units for extremely low-income households in high opportunity areas near services, employment opportunities, and other resources. Target the eastern and southern portions of the unincorporated county. "Planning for a Sustainable Solano County"

Ongoing, as projects are processed by Resource Management. By December 2024, outreach to organizations that support extremely low-income residents to understand funding needs, and review and prioritize local funding at least twice in the planning period, and support expediting applications as they are submitted. Reach out to developers annually starting April 2024.

D.5

Fair housing is defined as a condition where individuals of similar incomes in the same housing market have a like range of choice available to them regardless of their race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, familial status, marital status, or other such factors. To comply with Assembly Bill (AB) 686, the County has included an Assessment of Fair Housing in this Housing Element and identified the following actions to affirmatively further fair housing (AFFH): • Implement the following actions: o Actions to support place-based revitalization: A.1, A.2, H.1, I.1 o Actions to encourage new affordable housing opportunities: B.1, B.2, C.1, C.2, D.1, D.2 o Actions to facilitate housing mobility opportunities: B.2, C.4, D.2, E.1 o Actions to reduce displacement risk: A.1, A.2, C.4, D.3, E.1, I.1 • Continue to provide fair housing services in the unincorporated area through the Solano County and City of Vacaville housing authorities. In coordination with the City of Vacaville Housing Authority, the County will continue to assist the public in matters concerning fair housing issues and referrals to appropriate investigative and enforcement agencies. Should the number of complaints increase, or the Housing Authority does not have capacity to provide fair housing services, the County will seek funding annually to contract directly with a fair housing service provider, such as Fair Housing Advocates of Northern California (FHANC). Provide fair housing support and assistance to at least 20 households annually, or as needed. • Promote equal housing opportunities through the distribution and posting of fair housing information in coordination with other agencies at public building and facilities and other locations throughout the entire county by December 2024. Through the Housing Counseling Program, the County will continue to promote fair housing education through fair housing workshops, landlord training, and tenant credit repair workshops and tenants’ rights clinics at various locations throughout the county, with each being offered at least every other year. • By December 2025, provide information on the County’s website about affordable homeownership and rental options in the county and update as new opportunities become available. By request, help lower-income households locate affordable housing opportunities. • Ensure all public outreach materials and information on program availability and funding announcements are accessible for all persons, including translation and dictation as needed, by June 2023. Information on translation services, and information on program availability and funding announcements will be made available on the County’s website in English, Spanish, Asian and Pacific Islander languages, and any other dominant languages, as needed, by June 2023. • Annually work with schools and transit agencies to ensure all students have equitable access to educational opportunities, therefore removing any barriers to residing in more rural unincorporated areas.

Refer to each bulleted action for specific timeframes.

D.6

The County shall take the following actions to improve access to opportunity for residents of low-resource areas, with a priority on nonagricultural areas with low populations densities to encourage residential uses near services and resources: • Meet with school district representatives and transit agencies by July 2025 to ensure busing meets the needs of the student population residing in the unincorporated county. The County will also address the following with the school district: o Developing a program to assist school districts in training classroom aides through the Health and Social Services Department programs such as CalWorks; and o Supporting school applications for grants that may be used for teacher recruitment and retention bonuses, providing classroom materials, and other similar incentives to attract high-quality teachers. • Promote CalWorks in rural areas of the unincorporated County on an annual basis to improve access to employment training, assistance, and job opportunities. The County will develop strategies to expand the effectiveness of employee training programs for lowerincome residents and special-needs groups, particularly in rural areas, and will implement strategies within six months of establishing strategies. These strategies may include: o Continue to support small business establishment so interested residents in rural areas can secure home occupation permits; and o Providing at least annual events where Solano County Health and Social Services staff go to communities of need to connect residents with resources and training. • Work with Solano Mobility and incorporated cities to develop a fact sheet, or similar informational materials, of Solano Mobility programs to be posted on the County’s website, social media, and in public buildings by January 2025, updated at least annually thereafter as needed, to help connect seniors and other residents to services throughout the county. • Continue to annually incorporate public input into the County’s 5-Year Capital Improvement Plan to prioritize areas of need and prevent concentrated investment in any one area of the unincorporated county, with the intent of reducing investment-driven displacement risk.

Refer to each bulleted action for specific timeframes.

E.1

Pursuant to Government Code Section 65583(c)(3), the County will encourage universal design in all multifamily development by making a brochure on universal design, resources for design, and compliance with County requirements available at County buildings by December 2024 and distributing the brochure to developers and to community organizations serving individuals with disabilities. The County will also review the current reasonable accommodation procedure to ensure the required findings, specifically the findings stating “Whether the requested accommodation would reduce barriers and increase visibility on the site, in light of physical attributes of the property and its structures”, to ensure consistency with State and Federal requirements and that they are not potential barriers to housing for persons with disabilities. The County will continue to provide information to individuals with disabilities regarding reasonable accommodation policies, practices, and procedures based on the guidelines from the HCD. This information will be available through postings and pamphlets at the County and on the County’s website.

The County will encourage the development or modification of at least 25 accessible units, aiming for at least four in areas with a higher concentration of special-needs groups and two in high-opportunity areas.

Review and revise the existing reasonable accommodations ordinance by November 2023; create brochures on universal design and the reasonable accommodations ordinance by July 2024 and update biannually, or as needed.

E.2

The County will continue to implement the expedited permit assistance program for residential projects, which includes pre-application meetings and streamlining the approval process of affordable residential units. The County will also establish a written policy or procedure, and other guidance as appropriate, to specify the Senate Bill (SB) 35 streamlining approval process and standards for eligible projects, as set forth under Government Code Section 65913.4.

The County continue to help to streamline the permit processing procedure, aiming to encourage the development of at least 30 affordable units.

Develop an SB 35 streamlining approval process by January 2024 and implement as applications are received. Provide pre-applications by request.

E.3

Amend the County’s Zoning Ordinance to address the following development standards and barriers to special-needs housing: • Accessory Dwelling Units: Amend the Zoning Code as necessary to be consistent with the latest state legislation related to ADUs, , in accordance with California Government Code Section 65852.2. • Employee Housing: Treat employee/farmworker housing that serves six or fewer persons as a single-family structure and permit it in the same manner as other single-family structures of the same type within the same zone across all zones that allow single-family residential uses. Treat employee/farmworker housing consisting of no more than 12 units or 36 beds as an agricultural use and permit it in the same manner as other agricultural uses in the same zone, in compliance with the California Employee Housing Act (Health and Safety Code Sections 17021.5,17021.6, and 17021.8). • Transitional and Supportive Housing: Define and permit transitional housing and supportive housing as a residential use and only subject to those restrictions that apply to other residential dwellings of the same type in the same zone (Government Code Section 65583(a)(5). Additionally, allow supportive housing in multifamily and mixed-use zones (Government Code Section 65651 (AB 2162)). • Definition of Family: Review and amend the definition of “family,” in the Solano County Zoning Code to not limit family by size or relation such that it does not impede the ability of persons with disabilities to locate housing. • Emergency Shelters: Permit Emergency Shelters in the Residential-Traditional Community Multifamily (R-TC-MF) by-right without discretionary review and allow sufficient parking to accommodate all staff working in emergency shelters, in compliance with Government Code Section 65583(a)(4)(A)(ii). Expand the definition of emergency shelters to include "Planning for a Sustainable Solano County" Housing Element Page HE - 3 0 other interim interventions, including but not limited to, navigation centers, bridge housing, and respite or recuperative care. The County will also review existing capacity in the R-TCMF zone on an ongoing basis and ensure that sufficient capacity for development exists to allow for potential emergency shelter development in proximity to necessary services and resources. • Low-Barrier Navigation Centers: Permit low-barrier navigation centers, defined as low barrier, temporary service-enriched shelters to help homeless individuals and families to quickly obtain permanent housing, by right in zones where mixed-uses are allowed or in nonresidential zones that permit multifamily housing (Government Code Section 65662 (AB 101)). • Residential Care Facilities. Allow residential care facilities for seven or more persons subject to those restrictions that apply to residential care facilities for six or fewer persons, in compliance with the state definition of “family.” • Parking Standards. General Parking Standards. The County will review and revise all parking standards and modify standards for multifamily and mixed-use buildings to mitigate possible constraints on development.

Complete Zoning Ordinance Amendments by December 2024; annually review Zoning Code and revise as needed. Complete ADU amendments, as necessary to comply with State Law by June 2024.

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