From:
To: City Council; Mary Gourley
Subject: Question Regarding Housing For Firefighters and Public Safety Workers - Public Comment and Question for Ad Hoc
Date: Tuesday, September 26, 2023 11:08:26 AM
Would it be possible for the Firefighters Foundation to work with a local church to build housing for the firefighting and public safety community? As there is a shortage of middle income, family housing in Sebastopol and we need volunteer firefighters to live within City limits, could the Firefighters Foundation work with the Christian Science Church, Mount Olive Lutheran, Redwood Christian Fellowship, St. Sebastian Catholic Church or other religious organizations that have undeveloped land within City Limits to build affordable, family housing targeted at volunteer firefighters and other public safety workers? It might be easier to attract and retain volunteers if there were viable housing options available for them.
Developing housing to support the community is one key goal of housing policy.
Recently passed SB 4 allows religious organizations to fast track affordable housing, which is below 80% of area income ($80,550 for a family of 2, $90,600 for family of 3) https://nonprofithousing.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Fact-Sheet-SB-4-AffordableHousing-on-Faith-Lands-Act-4.pdf https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/incomelimits
Is there any way the City and Firefighters Foundation could support the development of affordable, family housing on church land to help support our firefighters and other public safety employees?