Housing Element Implementation

Create new healthy, safe, and energy-efficient housing that meets community needs, within our resources. 

Completed

• HE-3: Amend the Zoning Ordinance for Special Needs Housing Title 30 Ordinance amendments effective March 2025.   
• HE-4: Use-by-Right Permitting Title 30 Ordinance amendments effective March 2025.  
• HE-7: Objective Design Standards Objective Design and Development Standards for Multi-Unit Housing effective March 2025.

In Progress

• HE-1: Facilitate Conversion of Nonresidential Buildings to Housing  Adaptive Reuse Ordinance.
• HE-5: Process Improvements Single Family Design Board Amendments
• HE-6: Facilitate Production of Accessory Dwelling Units  Pre-Approved ADUs is complete.  Other amendments are forthcoming.
• HE-8: Innovative Housing Types City staff are participating in regular meetings of the Habitat for Humanity Housing Reforms and Innovative Models Working Group.  The group is researching and hoping to developing a prototype multi-generational triplex that could be replicated on a typical 50 x 100 foot City lot.
• HE-9: Resource Protection and Development Certainty  MEA Guidelines Update

On-Going

• HE-11: Livable Neighborhoods This program includes progress on multiple fronts as follows:  1) The Rental Housing Mediation Program is supported by three full-time staff; 2) the State Street Master Plan process is underway; 3) Bicycle and pedestrian improvements have been completed in neighborhoods with higher concentrations of lower income and racial/ethnic minority residents; 4) Combined Human Services/CDBG funds are used annually to support direct social services to low-income persons, CDBG funds for capital projects that directly benefit low- and moderate-income residents, and CDBG funds for administration and fair housing purposes; and 5) the City support housing stock electrification by providing a webpage with vetted resources and links to 3C-REN (Tri-County Regional Energy Network) which provides electrification incentives and rebates for properties with 1-4 units or 5 or more units.

Prioritize housing that is affordable to the workforce and vulnerable communities, by the use of deed restrictions and other measures, over other types of development, with special emphasis on housing that meets the needs of extremely low, very low, low, moderate, and middle income, and special needs households.

In Progress

• HE-12: Prioritize Deed-Restricted Affordable Housing a consultant contract was approved in April 2024 to evaluate the City's Density Bonus program.
• HE-13: Evaluate Inclusionary Housing Ordinance a consultant contract was approved in April 2024 to evaluate the City's Inclusionary Housing program.
• HE-15: Track Housing Production No Net Loss procedures are underway.  The General Plan Annual Progress Report, including housing production tracked for the Housing Element Annual Progress Report, is posted online, presented to City Council, and submitted to HCD and Office of Planning and Research. This program also includes regular ADU surveys. In 2024, the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments conducted an ADU owner survey and staff is analyzing the results specific to the City of Santa Barbara. 

Provide financial resources and supportive services for members of the community who need housing assistance.

• HE-16: Create Affordable Housing Funds (complete) The Local Housing Trust Fund was established in 2024. A proposal review committee was established and first phase funding was committed to the City of Santa Barbara Housing Authority for a project of 46 units and People's Self Help Housing for a project of 65 units. 

Implement tenant protection measures, promote full-time occupancy of existing housing, and discourage conversion of housing to other uses.

In Progress

• HE-19: Short-Term Rental Framework and Ordinance In 2025, City Council provided direction to staff on a short-term rental ordinance
• HE-20: Evaluate Hotel Zones This will be completed concurrently with HE-19.
• HE-21: Residential Units Conversion Ordinance This effort has started by monitoring trends. 

On Going

• HE-17: Support Rental Housing Mediation Program The RHMP typically serves 1,220 clients annually. The  website was updated with new information, better organized, and made mobile friendly. There were six outreach events: National Fair Housing Month proclamation, City Hall Open House, Community Resource Engagement in Carpinteria, Housing Santa Barbara Day, Santa Barbara Rental Property Association - Property Management Seminar, and Water Affordability Community Workshop.
• HE-22: Affirmatively Further Fair Housing Program and Opportunities Every April the City recognizes Fair Housing Month by proclamations received by the Rental Housing Mediation Supervisor on behalf of the Rental Housing Mediation Program and Board. This includes a press releases and webpage with links to federal, state, and local fair housing resources.  
• HE-23: Monitor and Preserve Existing Affordable Housing in 2024, the City extended/renewed affordability covenants at two properties.

Maintain and improve the physical condition of existing housing at all affordability levels.

On Going

• HE-24: Fund Home Rehabilitation and Provide Technical Assistance City uses CDBG and HOME funds to rehabilitate low-income rental units, assisting approximately 34 households annually.
• HE-25: Fund Home Improvements and Repairs The City allocates CDBG funds to Habitat for Humanity for the low-income owner-occupied home repair and rehabilitation program.

Educate and support the community about housing issues, affordable housing opportunities, and available resources and programs.

In Progress

• HE-26: Renters Rights Information The City maintains a Landlord and Tenants Rights webpage with information on getting questions answered. In 2024, the City adopted amendments to the Municipal Code relating to Just Cause Eviction, Tenant Right of First Refusal to Re-rent following a no-fault just cause eviction, Occupancy following a Substantial Remodel, and Protection of Tenants from Harassment.
• HE-27: Housing Resources for the Public The Housing and Human Services webpage provides information about affordable housing resources with documents in English and Spanish. As required by Assembly Bills 2234 and AB 1483, the City posted all the required information for transparency for residential development regulations, costs, and post-entitlement processing including complete, approved applications for the following residential types: ADU garage conversions, new detached ADU in the Coastal Zone, Junior ADUs, Mixed-use, Multi-Unit, single-unit detached, and townhomes.  The City provides and periodically updates maps that show information, renderings, and dashboard statistics for ADUs and projects proposed under the Average Unit-size Density Incentive Program. 

Coordinate with surrounding communities and regional agency partners to address regional housing issues, homelessness, and the jobs/housing balance.

In Progress

• HE-29: Joint Legislative Platform The Cities-County Joint Affordable Housing Task Force meets quarterly to discuss affordable housing on a regional level.  The City worked with the County on a comprehensive homeless grant for HUD Continuum of Care funds.
• HE-30: Affordable Student, Staff, and Faculty Housing The Santa Barbara Unified School District is working with the Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara to develop housing for their teachers and staff.  

Develop a permanent source of local funding to produce deed-restricted affordable housing.  

In Progress

• HE-31: Secure Permanent Affordable Housing Funding (A consultant contract was approved in 2024 to analyze a potential hotel linkage fee. In 2024, City Council voted to place a 1/2 sales tax measure on the November ballot to permanently fund local services and affordable housing.

The components of the Housing Element Update are largely dictated by the State. The following chapters must be included:

• A detailed analysis of the City’s demographic, economic and housing characteristics.
• A comprehensive analysis of constraints to producing and preserving housing.
• A review of the City’s progress in implementing current housing policies and programs.
• Identification of goals, objectives, policies and programs that will implement the vision of the plan.
• A list of sites that could accommodate new housing, demonstrating the City’s ability to meet our Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA).