An Introduction to Creating Community Housing for Developers
In general, the number of Community Housing units required in a new subdivision or as part of another type of new development project will be dictated by City or County codes. If it the percentage is not specifically stated in the code, than the Community Housing Guidelines will set the amount. In general, requirements range between 10% and 20% of any new development should be provided as Community Housing conforming to the Guidelines.
In order to create a healthy community, Community Housing units should be integrated into the proposed development to the greatest degree possible. When such units are provided as part of a new market-rate housing development, the units should be on-site, integrated throughout the project, and from the outside should be compatible with the market rate units. In general, integration of units into the surrounding development will also dictate that single-family developments will provide single-family Community Housing, townhome developments will provide townhome Community Housing, condominiums will provide condominium Community Housing, etc. Integration of units, as described above, is always preferred. However, it is understood that, within some developments, there may be compelling reasons to place a lesser number of the required number of Community Housing units on-site and locate a portion of the units elsewhere. However, the utilization of such options is permissible only with the prior written approval of the VARHA and the municipal body with regulatory authority over the proposed new project. The justification for such approval must be compelling and the proposed alternative must provide significantly greater community benefit than would be achieved by provision of the units on-site.
VARHA prefers that Community Housing be fully integrated into the market rate units within any given development. This means that Community Housing units should be spread among various floors and various orientations. However, the VARHA recognizes the need of developers to recognize a financial return on their development efforts. Therefore, it is not the policy of the VARHA to require that developers provide Community Housing units on top (penthouse) type floors of multifamily buildings or on those building orientations which provide exceptional views from which the developer could receive a significant return from the sale of a market-rate unit. Additionally, in those projects which contain primarily time-share or fractional-ownership units, the VARHA may, at its sole discretion, allow some grouping of units to foster a sense of community among the full time (Community Housing) residents.
General locational and design aspects are described in the Guidelines. Developers should consult VARHA staff in order to determine specific unit sizes and income categories that should be served by a particular development. These priorities are intended to serve as a guide to VARHA staff, elected and appointed officials, appropriate planning and building department staff, and members of the development community. The VARHA remains flexible in its approach to providing affordable Community Housing; however, this flexibility should not be taken to mean that the listed priorities may be ignored or not given due consideration.
Developers should contact the VARHA prior to submission of applications to a city or county government.
Please contact:
Michael David
Valley Adams Regional Housing Authority
PO Box 843
323 N. 3rd Street
McCall, ID 83638
(208) 634-0505
valleyadams@frontiernet.net |
P.O. Box 843
