Pasadena’s Inclusionary housing regulations

Anthony and I are just finishing an article on why parts of these regulations need to be updated.  Stay tuned!

Here’s a peak into one of our main big ideas in the article: Some City Council members have alleged that the over-concentration  in this policy applies to Heritage Square South, a parcel of land was purchased fifteen years ago with HUD and other funding for affordable housing. According to the Housing Director William Huang, the best and most fund-able use for this property is for 69 units of PSH for homeless seniors. These homes will end homelessness for these seniors, bring more investment into that neighborhood, create a beautiful apartment complex … a development that the neighbors will be proud of, and which 80% of those surveyed already support.

It is important to note, however, that this over-concentration policy applies only to off-site inclusionary housing projects. Since the Heritage Square South is not an inclusionary offsite project, there is no legal reason not to approve this site for PSH. No exception to current policy needs to be made.[1]

[1] See Inclusionary Regulations Updated 12/28/17. This policy clearly applies only to inclusionary units:  “(v) Over concentration.  The proposed construction of the Inclusionary Units on the parcel proposed shall not result in an over concentration of low income housing in any specific neighborhood.  As used herein, an “over concentration” exists when either 50 rental units legally restricted (by means of a recorded instrument) to occupancy by Very Low and/or Low Income Households are located within one-eighth mile from the parcel proposed for the off-site Inclusionary Units, or when 200 rental units legally restricted (by means of a recorded instrument) to occupancy by Very Low and/or Low Income Households are located within one-quarter mile from the parcel proposed for the off-site Inclusionary Units.” (p. 7).

InclusionaryRegulations_Updated_12-28-17 (002)