At its next meeting on October 7, 2026, Sonoma’s City Council will consider allocating $1.25 million from its Affordable Housing Trust Fund as an incentive to to develop construction, acquisition, rehabilitation, or preservation of affordable housing within the city. What follows is the staff report on the agenda item.
The City of Sonoma faces a persistent shortage of housing that is affordable to lower-income households, essential workers, seniors, and families. High land and construction costs, limited developable land, wildfire and water-supply constraints, and the loss of naturally occurring affordable units all make it difficult for the private market alone to deliver housing at rents and prices working households can afford.
The City’s 2023–2031 Housing Element (6th Cycle) establishes goals, policies, and programs to meet the City’s Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) of 311 units, including 83 units for very low-, 48 units for low-, and 50 units for moderate-income households. Housing Element Program 7 Affordable Housing Funding Sources identifies the City’s role in funding and supporting developers to secure outside funds. One objective is to work with developers and housing providers to identify at least 2 affordable new development projects, including at least 42 extremely low, 41 very-low, and 48 low income units, and 1 rehabilitation or conversion project that would assist at least 10 very low and 10 low income households. Issuing a Notice Of Funding Availability (NOFA) is a direct implementation step that supports the City’s objective…