anchor Description
This project provides funding to preserve current naturally occurring affordable housing (NOAH) in areas at risk of rent escalation to higher market rents, including the Purple Line Corridor and other County transit corridors. The Fund will be used to provide capital to support acquisitions and preservation to ensure continued affordability of currently naturally occurring affordable housing. Price pressures in housing, particularly housing near transit corridors, have increased and will likely continue to increase due to housing demand. The dedication of funding will increase the capacity of the County to assist affordable housing developers in acquisition of naturally occurring affordable housing. By focusing on the NOAH property market, this project will complement the County's existing funds for affordable housing.
anchor Justification
The County has over unrestricted housing units affordable to households earning under of area median income; however, the Planning Department Preservation Study identified the risk of losing between to affordable housing units due to expected rent increases. As an example, the Purple Line Corridor Coalition analysis identified affordable housing units within one mile of a Purple Line station where rents are expected to increase due to transit proximity. The dedication of County resources in the NOAH fund will support a focused effort to preserve these at-risk properties and will provide much needed additional capital to preserve and create affordable housing units.
anchorOther
Resale or control period restrictions to ensure long-term affordability should be a part of projects funded with these monies.
anchorCoordination
Housing Opportunities Commission, non-profit housing providers, and private sector developers.