Permit Sonoma seeks members for Housing Advisory Group to advise staff for the housing element

Permit Sonoma announced today that it will begin receiving applications for a 15-member Housing Advisory Committee that will advise the department as it updates the Housing Element of the county General Plan. Applications will be accepted until Nov. 23. The Housing Element is drafted every eight years and codifies Sonoma County’s approach to creating enough housing for its residents.

“I encourage Sonoma County residents with diverse experiences to apply and help the county develop new ideas and innovative approaches to addressing the county’s housing situation,” said Sonoma County Supervisor Lynda Hopkins, Chair of the Board of Supervisors. “It is imperative that we get to hear the voices from those who know our communities best.”

Advisory Committee members will advise staff, review draft concepts, and serve as community ambassadors. Members’ experiences related to housing needs, constraints to housing development, and feasibility of policies and programs will inform policy approaches.

“The Housing Element will use Sonoma County values to address one of our most in-demand resources,” Director of Planning Tennis Wick, Permit Sonoma, said. “I am excited to work with residents with experience seeking housing, building housing, and working with nonprofits to tackle our housing challenges.”

The working group will be composed of up to 15 volunteers and one observer from across the county representing a wide variety of community stakeholders and perspectives. Membership includes:

• A member who rents their primary residence
• A developer or builder
• A nonprofit developer or builder
• A member with lived experience of homelessness
• Three members representing local nonprofit organizations
• A member representing the faith-based community
• A member representing the agricultural community
• A member with experience as a farm laborer
• Five community members-at-large, one per each supervisorial district
• A member of the Planning Agency (observational)

A stipend of $150 will be available for low-income residents who rent their primary residence, have lived experience of homelessness, represent a local nonprofit organization and the agricultural community to allow for all residents to participate. Members are expected to attend a two-hour meeting approximately monthly.

Interested members of the community can learn more about the Housing Element or apply to become a member at Sonomacounty.ca.gov/HousingElement.