Vallejo’s proposed affordable housing fees: are we making it harder to build here?
I saw the City’s proposed affordable housing requirements / in-lieu fees for new residential development.
I support affordable housing, and I want Vallejo to remain an inclusive city. But I’m worried this policy could backfire by making it harder for new housing projects to pencil out.
A few reasons I’m concerned:
Vallejo is already one of the more affordable places to live in the Bay Area. We should be using that advantage to attract more housing, investment, and tax revenue — not making it harder to build here. I moved here because I couldn't afford Benicia.
Vallejo also already has a substantial amount of affordable housing, subsidized and Section 8, more so than many nearby cities.
The new Costco/Fairview at Northgate project is a good example of the kind of development we should want more of: new housing, retail, jobs, open space, tax revenue, and productive use of vacant land. This would be less likely to happen if the City adds more fees, mandates, or uncertainty. We have many vacant or run down buildings, these would further risk development
Curious what others think.