Ventura County's Resource Management Agency has unveiled a new ordinance aimed at enhancing affordable housing development, presenting four distinct options for developers to meet state requirements. The proposed ordinance retains the existing affordable housing use restriction while introducing innovative pathways to increase lower-income housing availability.

At the heart of the ordinance is the stipulation that developers must provide at least 20% of units in multi-family dwellings for lower-income households. This foundational requirement aligns with state law but is complemented by additional incentives for creating very low and extremely low-income housing.

The ordinance outlines alternative compliance options, crucial due to state restrictions on imposing affordability requirements for rental housing. Developers can choose from three methods: land donation to eligible organizations, financial assistance for land or existing unit acquisition, or proposing an equivalent action that demonstrates similar benefits to the community.

Land donation allows developers to satisfy their obligations by contributing land to community land trusts or experienced non-profits. The acquisition option enables financial support for organizations to purchase existing housing or land, while the equivalent action proposal offers flexibility for developers to suggest alternative solutions, provided they meet specific criteria.

Notably, those opting for alternative compliance must commit to providing a greater number of affordable housing units. For instance, if a project has a capacity of 100 units, developers using alternative compliance would need to ensure that at least 30 units are reserved for lower-income households.

This ordinance is designed not only to promote on-site housing construction but also to facilitate diverse approaches that can help meet Ventura County's pressing housing needs. As the planning director evaluates these proposals, the focus remains on increasing affordable housing options for the community.