Why the concern about Affordable Housing in Santa Barbara?
Santa Barbara residents enjoy a beautiful environment bordered by mountains and seashore, with clean air, a temperate climate, and charming ambiance. But this beautiful City exacts a high price from those who live here. Housing costs are among the highest in the nation, and vacancy rates are among the lowest. The high housing costs result in problems for many residents. The gap between incomes and housing costs is great. Many people commute long distances from less expensive housing in outlying areas. Much of the housing is seriously overcrowded, as families double and triple up in order to stay in the City. Children who grow up here are often forced to leave the area in search of housing they can afford. The low vacancy rate contributes to substandard housing, as unscrupulous landlords get nearly the same rent for units they allow to deteriorate as for well-maintained units. Responsible property owners face stiff challenges. Many local homeowners are elderly, living on fixed incomes and residing in homes that need extensive repairs. Landlords renting to low- and moderate-income people at affordable rents do not have operating budgets or reserves that can cover rehabilitation expenses. The City has done well in creating a level of affordable housing that constitutes 12% of the City's housing stock. The City is in the process of analyzing several strategies to provide even more affordable housing opportunities. Top |
What is Affordable Housing and Who Does it Serve?
(RENT & INCOME LEVELS) Affordable housing means housing that does not cost more than 30 percent of a household's gross income. For example, an affordable monthly rent for a household earning $2,000 per month would be $600 (including utilities). For homeowners, affordable monthly housing expenses for a household earning $4,000 per month would be $1,200 (including mortgage payments, taxes, and condominium association fees). The City's affordable rental housing programs are targeted to low- or very low-income households. Affordable ownership housing programs are targeted to moderate-income households. Under the City's new Density Bonus Program, units are also provided for middle and upper middle income households. The maximum limits for these and other income levels are listed in the table below. They are based on median income figures the federal government calculates annually for Santa Barbara County, with adjustments made for household size. Maximum Income for Various Income Categories For Santa Barbara County as of MARCH 2008 Area Median Income = $65,200 | | NUMBER OF PERSONS | CATEGORY | % of Median | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | Median | 100% | $45,640 | $52,160 | $58,680 | $65,200 | $70,420 | $75,630 | Very Low | -- | $27,250 | $31,100 | $35,000 | $38,900 | $42,000 | $45,100 | | | | | | | | | Low | -- | $43,600 | $49,800 | $56,050 | $62,250 | $67,250 | $72,200 | Moderate | 120% | $54,770 | $62,590 | $70,420 | $78,240 | $84,500 | $90,760 | Middle | 160% | $73,020 | $83,460 | $93,890 |
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