The City of Grass Valley is in the process of updating its Housing Element, a comprehensive housing strategy document for the entire community. Citizen participation is important during the update. The city wishes to obtain public input on housing needs, opportunities, and possible solutions. This newsletter provides an overview of the Housing Element and how you can participate in the update. 

Purpose of a Housing Element 
A Housing Element is one of the chapters of the Grass Valley General Plan. It identifies housing needs for current and future residents at all income levels and contains the City’s strategy for meeting those needs, particularly for low- and moderate-income households. 

The contents of a Housing Element include: 

• An assessment of current and future housing needs; 
• An identification of governmental and non-governmental constraints to housing; 
• An inventory of land to accommodate the City’s future housing needs; and 
• Goals, policies, programs, and quantified objectives to address housing needs. 

State Requirements and Review
The Grass Valley Housing Element must reflect state law requirements such as: 

• Identify adequate sites to facilitate housing for all income levels; 
• Remove governmental constraints to housing production, maintenance, and improvement;
• Assist in the development of adequate housing for low- and moderate-income households;
• Conserve and improve the condition of existing affordable housing; and
• Promote equal housing opportunities. 

Prior to its adoption, the Housing Element must be reviewed by California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) for substantial compliance with state law. Having a Housing Element found to be in compliance by HCD will allow Grass Valley to access state funding programs for housing, community development, and economic development. 

Community Profile 
Grass Valley’s population grew by ten percent between 1990 and 2000 and is projected to double by 2020. Persons over 45 years of age accounted for over half of the population growth. There was also a significant increase in the number families with children. 

Grass Valley’s housing stock consists of 61 percent single family housing and 39 percent multifamily housing. In 2000, renters comprised 57 percent of the City’s households. In 2000, the vacancy rate of homes for sale was one percent and of homes to rent two percent. The median price of a home in the Grass Valley is $275,000. The median rent for an apartment is $766. 

Between 1990 and 2000, overcrowding (more than one person per room) doubled, mainly affecting renter households. Overpayment for housing (more than 30 percent of income for housing) doubled among homeowners.

Grass Valley’s major employers are concentrated in retail trade, manufacturing, and government. The median income for Grass Valley is about 62 percent of the median countywide. The City’s poverty rate is twice that of the countywide rate.

 Between 2001 and 2008, Grass Valley must plan to accommodate 1,448 additional housing units under a regional housing allocation plan prepared by HCD for Nevada County and its cities. About 37 percent of the new housing in Grass Valley should be affordable to lower-income households. 

Current Housing Goals and Policies 
The current Housing Element was adopted in 1992 and contains the following goals: 

• Designate land to accommodate the City’s regional housing share; 
• Address local special housing needs; 
• Meet the low- and moderate- income housing needs; 
• Preserve and conserve existing housing stock and affordable housing opportunities; and 
• Assure all residents equal access to housing. 

The City has adopted several policies to achieve these goals, including: 

• Maintain an adequate supply of residential land in appropriate land use designations; 
• Apply flexible land use regulations through a planned development process; 
• Promote infill development; 
• Implement state law requirements for group homes and other special needs housing; 
• Provide housing for large families, seniors, persons with disabilities, and others with special needs;
• Permit second units and manufactured housing; 
• Collaborate with the Housing Authority and nonprofit organizations in using state and federal funds; 
• Disperse affordable housing throughout the community; 
• Pursue state and federal funding for housing rehabilitation and improvement of older neighborhoods; 
• Pursue code enforcement to improve substandard housing; 
• Collaborate with the Housing Authority to increase federal funding for rental housing assistance; 
• Conserve existing affordable rental housing; 
• Preserve historic residential structures; and •
• Promote equal housing opportunities and collaboration with community based organizations. 
• It is anticipated that the City will re-evaluate these goals and policies as part of the Housing Element Update. 

How You Can Participate 
Grass Valley expects to complete work on the Housing Element by the end of the year. The City will solicit participation from citizens and community organizations during the preparation of the Housing Element. Opportunities for public participation will include community workshops and public hearings before the Planning Commission and City Council. 

A Public workshop is scheduled for June 23 at 5:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers, 125 East Main Street. You will be notified of the dates of future workshops and public hearings as these dates are set. Copies of the draft Housing Element will be available for public review and comment prior to its completion. 

Further information about the Housing Element is available by calling 274-4330