Salinas City Council addresses affordable housing

Affordable housing was a big topic at the Salinas City Council meeting Tuesday night.

The council was supposed to vote and amend a program that brings affordable housing to Salinas but, it’s got mixed reaction from home developers and non-profits.

The Inclusionary Housing Ordinance the city looked at requires developers to dedicate some of the homes they build to moderate and low income families.

Tuesday they talked about updating it which would affect those looking for affordable housing as well as local developers.

Juan Uranga, executive director and attorney with Center for Community Advocacy says affordable housing is a necessity in Salinas.

“We’re in a housing crisis, working families of all types are having a very, very difficult time finding appropriate safe and decent housing,” Uranga says. “I think it’s absolutely urgent that the city council find a way to respond to those working families.”

But developers fear the updates to the ordinance could cost them. The Salinas Valley Chamber of Commerce says they have members on both sides.

“One thing we have to keep in mind is that if the developers don’t develop houses then you don have the funds for affordable housing,” Chamber of Commerce CEO Paul Farmer said. “We really need to get all of these different people together in agreement on this because having no housing is not a solution.”

Still, Uranga says an agreement between developers and non-profits is definitely possible.

“Absolutely yes,” Uranga said. “We’ve done it before and we’ll do it again.”

The council directed staff to come up with a way to benefit both sides. They’ll look at those recommendations and vote on June 6th.