The Oceanside City Council will consider a recommendation Wednesday, September 26 to increase the in-lieu fee for those who choose not to build the affordable housing required by the City's inclusionary policy.  The recommended new fee is $30,283 per unit, a $20,000/unit increase over the current in-lieu fee.  The proposed fee represents the difference between the average cost of a home in Oceanside and the median area income for a household of four.

 

The increase is being strongly opposed, according to City staff, by the Building Industry Association. In 2005, the BIA targeted Council members who supported the inclusionary policy with a negative leafletting campaign. The Council workshop on the City's housing element and inclusionary policy begins at 4 p.m. at the Civic Center.  

 

In response to an article in last week's Weekly Brief about the Transit Oriented Development guidelines, California Department of Housing and Community Development Director Lynn Jacob sent this information:

 

"I was somewhat surprised to read in your newsletter that we are withdrawing the TOD guidelines -- far from it.  We will be evaluating all of the comments received, recirculating revised guidelines, allowing for additional comment, and then issuing final guidelines for our first NOfa."  The first NOFA is scheduled in November.

 

 

 

This documentary explores how faith groups and others are working to bring decent, affordable housing for all.  Today people living from paycheck to paycheck often have to choose between paying the rent and buying food for their children.
 
In the documentary you will meet families struggling with housing issues, see innovative and effective solutions, learn how children benefit from better housing and see the importance of working together across political and religious divides.
 
"Building on Faith" explores how people of faith are already some of the prime movers to bring about change and encourages viewers to become involved in housing issues in their own communities.

 

Tune in Sunday, September 23, 2007 7 a.m. Hallmark Channel Cox Cable 343, Time Warner 53, Chula Vista Cable 70, DIRECTV 312, EchoStar 185, 896.

 

Learn ways your organization can be part of $3 billion in incentives under the new California Solar Initiative (CSI) at a seminar October 5 sponsored by the Nonprofit Management Solutions. Nonprofit organizations have special opportunities in the California Solar Initiative (CSI) but there are specific rules for nonprofit applications. The seminar will include a review of the technology, local nonprofit case studies, and innovative financing options. The seminar will be held from 9 a.m. to noon at the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center.  For more information, click here.