Workforce Housing Coalition: Criteria for Encouragement & Support

1. Affordability:

• Meet the ownership housing needs of households earning less than 160% of the median income for the county.  160% includes very low, low, moderate and workforce income categories.
• Provide rental units where the total projected rent for a year does not exceed 30% of the county’s median income factored for the size of the family.

2. Public Policy:

• Demonstrate the political will to support higher density.
• Zone more land for housing, particularly smaller units at higher density.
• Streamline the planning and permitting process for housing.
• Make density more livable by, e.g., abating noise, reducing traffic congestion, providing privacy, and enforcing maintenance.

3. Community Building:

• Include a variety of housing types and sizes to serve a range of family and economic situations.
• Include or are near community services, infrastructure and activities (work, shopping, recreation, schools).
• Promote public transit and alternative transportation choices.
• Are designed to be pedestrian friendly.
• Encourage the involvement of stakeholders early in the planning process.

4. Effective Use of Land:

• Propose increasing density where appropriate.
• Are constructed in or adjacent to existing developed areas.
• Minimize space devoted to surface parking.
• Mix land uses.

5. Design:

• Build housing that adds to the appeal of neighborhoods and that residents enjoy living in and are proud to call home