County of Sonoma seeks public feedback on newly published draft housing plan

The County of Sonoma’s planning and permitting department is seeking public feedback over the next 30 days on a draft update to the Housing Element of the Sonoma County General Plan. The update represents the county’s goals, objectives and policies that lead to the creation of adequate housing for people of all income levels in Sonoma County for the years 2023 through 2031.

The County of Sonoma is updating its housing element as required by state law. Every eight years, Permit Sonoma examines all the policies, market conditions, and other forces that affect housing development and develops plans to guide the construction of enough homes for everyone in the community, regardless of income.

The draft released by Permit Sonoma this week is the culmination of nearly a year of public engagement. A Housing Advisory Committee comprising a wide variety of housing advocates, providers, and both for- and nonprofit developers advised staff on the housing element update. To deepen engagement with disadvantaged communities, the county partnered with community benefit organizations to hold focus groups with farmworkers, day laborers, people with disabilities, people with a lived experience of homelessness, and residents of color to ensure that their perspectives were represented in the draft. Permit Sonoma also hosted two public workshops and conducted surveys that drew more than 6,000 responses. The results of these efforts were reflected in the content of the draft Housing Element Update.

The draft can be viewed online on the Housing Element Update webpage. This is an opportunity for county residents to examine and comment on the housing element policies and programs during the 30-day public comment period. Permit Sonoma will host virtual workshops to present the draft, answer questions, and request the public provide written comments on the draft.

The following meetings have been scheduled:

District 5: Nov. 15, at 6 p.m.
District 4: Nov. 16, at 6 p.m.
District 1: Nov. 30, at 6 p.m. at the Sonoma Valley Citizens Advisory Committee meeting
Planning Commission Meeting: Nov. 17

For the details on how to join these meetings and for additional meetings please see the Housing Element Update project webpage.

Written comments may also be submitted within 30 days of the date of this notice by 11:59 p.m. on Dec. 4 via email to PermitSonoma-Housing@sonoma-county.org or by regular mail to Permit Sonoma, Attn: Eric Gage, 2550 Ventura Ave., Santa Rosa, California 95403.

Under California law, the housing element is one of the seven mandated elements of the general plan and must be updated on a set schedule. A housing element, as required by state law, identifies policies and programs that will support the provision of an adequate housing supply for citizens of all income levels.

For questions regarding the Draft Housing Element, please contact Eric Gage at (707) 565-1391 or via email at PermitSonoma-Housing@sonoma-county.org.

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Media Contact:
Bradley Dunn, Permit Sonoma Policy Manager 
Bradley.Dunn@sonoma-county.org 
(707) 321-0502
2550 Ventura Ave.
Santa Rosa, CA 95403