Big news! We’ve added new housing program data - check them out under “Housing Programs” on each city page.

Windsor

Housing Element Status
Certified
Rent Burden
55%
rent burdened
Affordable Housing Production
39%
affordable permits issued
Housing Programs
43
total programs
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Housing Programs

Housing programs are the strategies that cities and counties legally have at their disposal to produce more and preserve existing affordable housing, as well as protect existing residents from getting displaced from their homes and communities.

6th Cycle Programs

43
total programs

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.

Overview of Program Deliverables

Use the below data to explore this jurisdiction’s approaches to affirmatively furthering fair housing for the 6th element cycle, and review the actions, deliverables, and deadlines committed to for each program.

PROGRAM NUMBER
ACTIONS
DELIVERABLE
DELIVERABLE DATE
H-1
The Town will monitor the Sites Inventory annually, and as projects are processed through the Community Development Department, to ensure sufficient capacity is maintained to accommodate the Town’s remaining RHNA numbers. Should the Town fall into a no-net-loss situation, within 180 days, the Town will identify a replacement site to ensure the remaining RHNA is being met.
Annually monitor and as projects are processed
H-2
Pursuant to Government Code Section 65583.2(c), any non-vacant sites identified in the prior fifth Cycle or vacant sites identified two or more consecutive planning periods, shall be provided by-right development when at least 20 percent of the units in the proposed development are affordable to lower-income households. This requirement applies to site 7 in Table 6.5 and sites 14-18, and 21-25 in Table 6.6.
Upon adoption of the Housing Element. Housing
H-3
The Town shall help facilitate consolidation of small lots to allow development to utilize the land more efficiently, achieve economies of scale, and offer opportunity for improved site design and amenities. The Town encourages the consolidation of small lots to facilitate the development of mixed-use and multifamily developments, particularly for affordable housing by: ▪ Maintaining an inventory of sites on the Town’s website. ▪ Assisting developers in identification of parcels with lot consolidation potential. ▪ Continuing to utilize a ministerial process for lot consolidation unless other discretionary reviews are required as part of the project. ▪ Granting density bonuses above state density bonus law (Gov. Code, § 65915.) ▪ Deferring fees specifically for consolidation ▪ Expediting permit processing ▪ Identifying and targeting specific financial resources; and ▪ Modifying development standards
By the end of 2024, adopt appropriate lot consolidation incentives to facilitate mixed use development. Promote the program through dissemination of brochures at public counters and providing information on the Town’s website.
H-4
The Town shall incentivize development of affordable residential units in mixed-use projects to improve access to local resources, services, and jobs in downtown Windsor and along boulevards (i.e., Town Center Mixed Use, Neighborhood Center Mixed Use, and Boulevard Mixed Use zoning districts). The program shall create incentives for residential and mixed-use infill development, including but not limited to: ▪ Priority project processing ▪ Deferral of development impact or permit fees for projects that include units affordable to lower income households, on a case-by-case basis ▪ Flexibility in development standards such as parking, setbacks, and landscaping requirements, where feasible ▪ Density and intensity bonuses ▪ Support for infrastructure upgrades The Town will also either remove the non-residential requirements for projects that include affordable units in mixed use zones or expand the non-residential definition for projects that include units affordable to lower income households to include uses such as: community rooms, leasing office, childcare, and similar to meet the non-residential part of the mixed-use requirement. The Town will also remove the second-floor residential requirement and will allow residential on the first floor if a project includes affordable units. Additionally, the Town will monitor the development on mixed use sites and modify incentives as needed to ensure housing targets are met.
150 very low-income units and 150 low-income units to improve access to highresource areas for lower-income households and increase housing mobility opportunities.
Reach out to developers to obtain feedback by January 2024; Develop incentives by October 2024; Review annually and amend as needed. Expand the non-residential definition to meet the mixeduse requirement as affordable projects are proposed; remove the second story residential requirement by January 2024; monitor development on mixed use properties annually, and expand and modify incentives as needed.
H-5
The Town shall continue to implement the Inclusionary Housing Ordinance and require new residential developments of 10 or more units to set aside either: a. 10 percent of units for moderate-income households; b. 7.5 percent of units for low-income households; or c. 5 percent of units for very low-income households. The Town shall continue to allow developers to satisfy their inclusionary housing requirement through various options, which may include, land donation, off-site construction, payment of an in-lieu fee. The Town shall investigate the feasibility of conducting a nexus study to determine an appropriate in-lieu fee that will both provide finding for the housing fund but not constrain the development of housing. Based on the findings of the study, the Town may adopt an updated in-lieu fee. The Town shall establish a dedicated fund for the inclusionary housing in-lieu fee and a program for distributing the funds for the development of affordable housing. The Town shall facilitate partnerships between developers of market-rate units and affordable housing developers to assist developers in meeting inclusionary requirements, including partnerships with nonprofit and for-profit developers of affordable rental housing and organizations employing the Community Land Trust model (e.g., Housing Land Trust of Sonoma County).
100 lower-income units; encourage 10 units in areas of concentrated overpayment and 10 in higher resource and higher income areas that are predominantly single-family homes (i.e., Michael Hall Park and Foothill Regional Park) to reduce displacement risk and facilitate access to local services and resources.
Conduct a nexus study by December 2024 to determine the appropriate in-lieu fees and adopt updated in-lieu fees by July 2025. Continue to have a dedicated fund for in-lieu fee by December 2025. Facilitate partnerships as projects are submitted to the Town.
H-6
The Town shall monitor the supply of residential land through its Annual Growth Control Report to ensure sufficient developable land is planned and zoned for single-family and multifamily residential development to accommodate projected housing needs for the RHNA planning period through January 31, 2031. If, at any time, the supply of sites zoned for multifamily housing falls below the quantity of land required to accommodate the Town’s remaining need for higher density multifamily housing, the Town shall identify and rezone a replacement site within 180 days to ensure the remaining RHNA is being met. Additionally, as part of the Annual Growth Control Report, the Town shall evaluate the capacity of the Town’s infrastructure and service systems (i.e., streets, drainage, water, recycled water, parks, public safety, schools) and outline strategies to expand these systems to serve new development.
Accommodate development of 607 lower-income units, 108 moderate-income units, and 279 above moderate-income units.
Review and revise the Growth Control Ordinance as needed, present to Council for review by June 2023; Annually prepare the Annual Growth Control Report; Monitor if zoning changes are proposed and/or as development is proposed on multifamily housing sites on an ongoing basis.
H-7
The Town will encourage the construction of ADUs through the following actions, which are aimed at providing an increased supply of affordable units throughout the Town, thereby increasing access to high resource, established neighborhoods to help reduce displacement risk for low-income households: ▪ Review and revise the Town’s Zoning code to ensure compliance with State Law. ▪ Participate in the Napa Sonoma ADU to offer residents pre-reviewed plans and consider prereviewing additional ADU plans for use in Windsor to encourage construction of ADUs to facilitate housing mobility opportunities, targeting construction of these units in predominantly single-family neighborhoods (i.e., much of the eastern portion Windsor) to encourage subtle density increases and affordable opportunities. ▪ Review development applications and provide design options on the ability to include ADUs and to design units to be able to accommodate ADUs and JADUs. ▪ Encourage developers to design floor plans for all new market rate residential units to accommodate future conversions to ADUs/JADUs. ▪ For residential projects in the lower 50 percent of the allowable density range, require developers to demonstrate that at least 50 percent of the units can accommodate ADUs or JADUs. ▪ Implement a public information and proactive outreach campaign via the Town’s website and The Insider newsletter to inform property owners of the standards for ADU development, permitting procedures, construction resources, and the importance of ADUs to Windsor, including ADUs affordable to lower-income households. ▪ Provide information to encourage residents to apply for ADUs, particularly where their homes already include space that is configured for a conforming ADU (e.g., carriage houses, au pair quarters, second kitchens on floors with separate entrances). ▪ Produce a flyer regarding ADUs and make it available at the Community Development Department counter and to project applicants for all discretionary land use applications; at least annually, publish informational materials through a combination of media, including the Town’s website and direct mailings. ▪ Distribute materials on the benefits of ADUs in areas of high opportunity and limited rental opportunities to increase mobility for low-income households. ▪ Identify incentives for construction of ADUs with new development, which may include deferring collection of impact fees for the square footage associated with the ADU until issuance of the certificate of occupancy. ▪ Explore an affordable ADU incentive program to encourage property owners to deed restrict ADUs as affordable rental housing for lower- or moderate-income households; establish long-term affordability requirements by providing funding assistance for deed restricted units and a monitoring program to ensure long-term affordability is maintained. ▪ Develop and implement a monitoring program that will track ADU approvals and affordability. The Town will use this monitoring program to track progress in ADU development and adjust or expand the focus of its education and outreach efforts through the 2023-2031 planning period.
25 ADUs to improve housing mobility and improve proximity to services and employment opportunities for lower- and moderate-income households (15 ADUs are assumed to address the displacement risk).
Make ADU materials available by June 2023; Implement proactive outreach campaign by December 2024; evaluate effectiveness of ADU approvals and affordability by December 2025; Identify additional site capacity, if needed, by 2026. Housing
H-8
The Town will identify innovative and alternative housing options that provide greater flexibility and affordability in the housing stock. These may include further reduction in regulatory barriers for tiny houses, microhomes, dwelling groups, cottage homes, small lot subdivisions, and other alternative housing types, a variety of densities and housing types in all zoning districts, and cooperative housing development where childcare and other needs could be shared. The Town will use the findings of this program to revise the Zoning Code as necessary to allow alternative housing options or provide incentives for a variety of housing types where already allowed. The intent of this will be to target development of a variety of housing types in areas of concentrated overpayment to reduce displacement risk, promote inclusion and support integration of housing types based on income, and facilitate mobility opportunities in high resource areas and areas of high median income, targeting neighborhoods that are currently predominantly single-family homes (i.e., eastern Windsor neighborhoods).
200 lower-income units to improve housing mobility and reduce displacement risk.
Identify innovative and alternative housing options to help further housing production by December 2024; Amend the zoning ordinance as needed by December 2025.
H-9
The Town will work with housing developers—creating partnerships, providing incentives, and pursuing funding opportunities—to expand opportunities for affordable lower-income housing for special-needs groups, including persons with physical and developmental disabilities, female-headed households, large families, extremely low-income households, and persons experiencing homelessness. ▪ Meet with at least 3 developers by December 2024 to identify mechanisms that would support inclusion of units for lower-income and special needs groups in future development plans to facilitate housing mobility and reduce displacement risk. Based on the findings of these meetings, develop informational materials on existing local and regional programs and resources that would meet the need by December 2025, or revise the Zoning Code to accommodate the necessary incentives by June 2026. ▪ Support affordable housing development for special-needs groups throughout the Town to reduce the displacement risk for these residents from their existing homes and communities, including in areas that are predominantly single-family residential. The target populations include seniors; persons with disabilities, including developmental disabilities; female-headed households; and homeless persons. ▪ Promote the use of the density bonus ordinance, application process streamlining, and fee deferrals to encourage affordable housing, with an emphasis on encouraging affordable housing in highresource areas and areas with currently limited rental opportunities. ▪ Facilitate the approval process for land divisions, lot line adjustments, lot consolidation, and/or specific plans or master plans resulting in parcel sizes that enable affordable housing development; process fee deferrals related to the subdivision for projects affordable to lower-income households. ▪ Give priority to permit processing for projects providing affordable housing for special-needs groups. ▪ Support the development of larger housing units to meet the needs of large households (5 or more persons). ▪ Work with public or private sponsors to identify candidate sites for new construction of housing for special needs and take all actions necessary to expedite processing of such projects. ▪ Encourage residential development near parks, open space, transit routes, civic uses, social services, and other health resources. ▪ Partner with nonprofit and for-profit affordable housing developers to support their financing applications for state and federal grant programs, tax-exempt bonds, and other programs that become available. ▪ Pursue Federal, State, and private funding for low- and moderate-income housing by applying for state and federal monies for direct support of lower-income housing construction and rehabilitation, specifically for development of housing affordable to extremely low-income households. ▪ Pursue partnerships with the North Bay Regional Center to identify funding opportunities and promote housing for persons with disabilities. Financial support may come in the form of inclusionary housing in-lieu fees; Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds; Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) funding; and other regional, State, and federal sources that the Town shall continue to pursue in partnership with local developers.
50 lower-income units to reduce displacement risk; of these, 20 targeting special needs groups, such as supportive, accessible, and larger units.
Ongoing, as projects are processed by the Town; Annually apply for funding and annually engage with the North Bay Regional Center. Meet with developers to identify what incentives best support inclusion of affordable and special needs units by December 2024, make necessary materials or amendments to the Zoning Code by June 2025.
H-10
The Town shall pursue funding from State agencies for homebuyer assistance, particularly in partnership with the sponsors of affordable housing projects. In order to reduce displacement risk of prospective first-time homebuyers being priced out of the community, the Town will promote the availability of this program in areas with concentrations of renters (i.e., central neighborhoods and areas south of Shiloh Road), particularly low-income renters, and in racially concentrated areas, specifically in areas with concentrated Black and African American residents (i.e., Windsor Town Green and South Windsor neighborhoods).
50 lower-income units to reduce displacement risk and assist in housing mobility for eligible households.
Develop informational materials to distribute and post on the Town’s website by December 2023 and send to neighborhood groups or community organizations by March 2024 to improve access to resources to encourage housing mobility; Annually apply for funding and as NOFAs are released.
H-11
The Town shall continue to participate in the Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC) Program, administered by the County of Sonoma and as part of a Joint Powers Agreement, to provide assistance to first-time lower- and moderate-income homebuyers to facilitate housing mobility and reduce displacement risk. The Town shall continue to publicize the program through the distribution of brochures and information on the Town website.
Connect 10 eligible residents with assistance through the MCC Program to reduce displacement and assist in housing mobility for eligible households.
Develop informational materials to distribute and post on the Town’s website by December 2023 and send to neighborhood groups or community organizations by March 2024 to improve access to resources to encourage housing mobility; Annually apply for funding and as NOFAs are released.
H-12
The Town shall continue agreements with the Sonoma County Housing Authority to make Section 8 rental housing subsidies available to qualified Windsor residents whenever available. To reduce the concentration of voucher holders, promote mixed-income neighborhoods, and improve mobility between neighborhoods the Town shall encourage property managers in high resource areas with a low percentage of vouchers to encourage them to market their units to voucher holders.
Maintain 120 Housing Choice Voucher recipients and increase the number of units available to Housing Choice Voucher holders by at least 10 to facilitate housing mobility opportunities and reduce displacement risk.
Ongoing, develop materials on the benefits of having Housing Choice Voucher tenants by December 2023 and distribute to property managers and landlords annually, targeting outreach to landlords and property managers in higher resource neighborhoods west of Highway 101 and north of Old Redwood Highway and in areas that are predominantly single-family homes (i.e., eastern Windsor neighborhoods), where Housing Choice Voucher usage is lowest.
H-13 [1/2]
The Town shall investigate development of a Community Land Trust program for Windsor to determine its feasibility and affordable housing production possibilities. Continue to support the Housing Land Trust of Sonoma County (HLTSC) in its efforts to work with developers and non-profit organizations to further homeownership opportunities.
100 lower-income units; encourage 10 units in areas of concentrated overpayment. Housing Webpage
Consider the development of a Local Community Land Trust program by July 2025; Participate in the HLTSC on an ongoing basis.
H-13 [2/2]
The Town shall create and maintain a housing webpage to publicize available programs, meetings, sites available for development, and other housing-related resources.
Develop a housing website by December 2024 Housing
H-14
The Town shall strive to receive and maintain through the sunset date of January 1, 2025, the State’s Pro-housing Designation by demonstrating a sufficient number of polices that significantly contribute to accelerating housing production. Jurisdictions that receive a Pro-housing Designation will receive incentives in the form of additional points or other preferences in the scoring of competitive State funding grant programs in the areas of housing, transportation, infrastructure, and land use.
40 lower-income units to reduce displacement risk and assist in housing mobility for eligible households.
Initiate application in 2023 and maintain designation through sunset date of January 1, 2025.
H-15 [1/2]
The Town shall continue to encourage residents to participate in the Sonoma County Community Development Commission Housing Rehabilitation Program funded by Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding to facilitate place-based revitalization and reduce displacement risk due to habitability issues. The Town shall publicize the availability of funding for rehabilitation via the Town website and encourage residents to consider applying for funds through code enforcement cases.
40 lower-income units to facilitate place-based revitalization and reduce displacement risk for eligible households, targeting outreach to residents in mobile home communities and owners of rental units west of Highway 101. Additional State, Federal, and Other Funds for Rehabilitation
Ongoing; Annually update the Town’s website and post on social media pages to notify residents of available program resources.
H-15 [2/2]
The Town shall continue to apply, on an annual basis, for CDBG funds from the Sonoma County Community Development Commission in partnership with sponsors of affordable housing projects in Windsor and shall continue to seek funds from State and federal sources to augment local funds for housing rehabilitation. This effort may include partnerships with affordable housing developers to access funds. In addition, the Town shall secure mortgage revenue bonds through the California Housing Finance Agency at the request of developers.
40 lower-income units to facilitate place-based revitalization and reduce displacement risk, owners of rental units west of Highway 101 where rehab need was identified as greatest in the Assessment of Fair Housing.
Annually apply; Annually reach out to developers to promote available funding.
H-16
The Town’s Code Enforcement staff is responsible for ensuring compliance with building and property maintenance codes. Code Enforcement handles complaints on a reactive basis and deals with a variety of issues, including property maintenance, abandoned vehicles, housing conditions, and health and safety concerns. The Building Inspector, in the Building Division, is responsible for proactively identifying and requiring the correction of code compliance and safety issues as development is occurring. The Town will continue to use Code Enforcement and Building staff to ensure compliance with building and property maintenance codes. The Town will prioritize enforcement of substandard state and federally funded affordable housing units.
Conservation of 10 housing units to prevent displacement.
Conduct code enforcement on an ongoing basis to reduce displacement risk.
H-17
To facilitate place-based revitalization for households at risk of displacement due to new development, the Town will require replacement housing units subject to the requirements of Government Code, section 65915, subdivision (c)(3), on sites identified in the site inventory when any new development (residential, mixed-use, or nonresidential) occurs on a site that has been occupied by or restricted for the use of lower-income households at any time during the previous five years. This requirement applies to nonvacant sites and vacant sites with previous residential uses that have been vacated or demolished.
Replace any of the units identified in the sites inventory if a) they are planned to be demolished for purposes of building new housing, and b) they are determined to be occupied by low-income households; Provide assistance to prevent displacement of lower-income households due to loss of affordable units. Housing
The replacement requirement will be implemented immediately and applied as applications on identified sites are received and processed.
H-18
The Town shall continue to provide for the administration and enforcement of the Town’s Mobile Home Park Rent Stabilization Ordinance.
20 lower income units to reduce displacement risk.
Ongoing
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