www.generationhousing.org
18 January 2022
Sebastopol City Council
425 Morris Street
Sebastopol, CA 95472
RE: Letter of Support for Huntley Square at 7950 Bodega Avenue Dear Mayor Slayter, Vice Mayor Hinton, and Councilmembers:
After a thorough analysis driven by our project endorsement criteria, Generation Housing proudly endorses the Huntley Square proposed “Missing Middle” housing development at 7950 Bodega Avenue.
“Missing Middle” Housing, like the 10-unit Huntley Square project, refers to a range of smaller multi-family housing projects compatible in scale and style with detached single- family homes- located in walkable neighborhoods. This type of housing provides solutions along a spectrum of affordability to address the mismatch between the available housing stock and shifting demographics, combined with the growing demand for walkability. Generation Housing advocates for more, more diverse, and more affordable housing. A diversity of housing units is necessary to meet the varied needs and desires of our community members, and to ensure that we are using all of the tools in the housing solutions toolbox to meet our housing needs. This diversity must include Missing Middle housing stock.
Huntley Square offers unique affordable-by-design opportunities for single people and/or couples. Huntley Square also aligns with Sebastopol’s efforts to curb developer speculation with the inclusion of a deed-restriction mandating home-owner occupancy.
As an infill project, with close proximity to Sebastopol’s downtown core, it adds to the city’s climate-smart, walkable, bikeable community. The net-zero energy aspect of Huntley Square additionally aligns with the City of Sebastopol’s stated goals of developing through a sustainable lens that ensures minimal (or no) impact to the surrounding environment. The smaller scale of these units is also consistent with that vision.
We therefore strongly encourage the
Sebastopol City Council to approve this
project, as is, to continue closing the gap on
our own local housing crisis.
Respectfully,
Jen Klose
Executive Director, Generation Housing
1275 Fourth St., #179
Santa Rosa, CA 95404
(707) 900-4364
[email protected]