WAYS TO IMPROVE AFFORDABILITY AND INCREASE SUPPLY

Following  are many recommendations from the private sector on how government can be more proactive and consequently help fix the housing affordability and supply crisis.  They are offered by the leadership of the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Building Industry Association of San Diego County and the San Diego County Apartment Association.

Ensure new housing is considered in all public policy decisions and planning strategies 

Specified timeframes and determinate processing by type of permit should be brought on line 

Each jurisdiction should review design standards to ensure efficiency, compatibility with community standards and maximum use of limited resources dedicated to infrastructure 

Land designated for housing must be used efficiently  

Reduce parking standards and enhance acceptance of tandem parking

Zone for more attached housing 

Impact fees levied should consider variations in unit type, e.g. single family, condominium and be assessed based on their quantifiable impact to a community's infrastructure 

Replace deposit billing with a reasonable flat fee assessed at the time of impact

 Shorten permit processing times

 Eliminate cumbersome, duplicative government regulation

 Increase densities in urban centers

 Ease excessive environmental constraints

 Broaden the funding source for infrastructure

 Provide incentives for land owners to bring appropriate land to market for residential use

 Make government-owned land available for well-planned residential uses

 Decrease development fees and exactions on housing of all types

 Restructure local government financing

 Provide incentives to build multi-family housing near transit and job centers

 Educate the public against NIMBYism

 Deliver infrastructure that keeps pace with growth

 Fund infrastructure improvements through government’s general funds instead of shouldering home buyers with regional infrastructure costs

 Give incentives for Smart Growth by capturing property taxes, bond measures and creative financing

 Educate public on benefits of well planned higher density housing

 Help facilitate mixed use developments in urban areas

 Allow flexibility in applying standards when appropriate

 Encourage joint-use facilities, expand use of existing community resources