![\"Workshop](\"https:\/\/lamesacourier.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/infobox1-copy.jpg\")
<\/a>\u201cThe update only asks if you are able to meet [the housing goal] by providing sites that are adequately zoned so that housing can occur,\u201d said Veronica Tan, a consultant hired by the city to help with the housing element update. \u201cIt is not an obligation to build the units, it\u2019s an obligation to plan for the units \u2013 that you have the capacity locally to accommodate the RHNA.\u201d<\/p>\n
Although the workshop showed that the city is well prepared in its zoning to meet its housing requirements, there were some troubling data points on housing.<\/p>\n
One is that data shows that La Mesa \u2014 and nearly all other cities of its size in the region \u2014 has a housing affordability problem. Currently, 47% of La Mesans are considered \u201ccost-burdened\u201d by housing, meaning they spend over 30% of their income on housing. Another issue of concern is overcrowding. Currently, 4.4% of households in La Mesa are considered overcrowded.<\/p>\n
Included in the RHNA are housing goals for different income levels, although there are no provisions to mandate cities to build them. Instead, cities and the state rely on incentive programs and negotiations with developers to get more affordable units built. For the upcoming eight-year cycle, La Mesa\u2019s income level goals are 859 very low income units; 487 low income units; 577 moderate income units; and 1,874 above moderate income units. Income level housing is based on a household\u2019s area median income (AMI), with very low being 50% or below AMI; low, 51 to 80% AMI; moderate 80 to 120% AMI; and above moderate above 120% AMI. As of April 1, 2020, the median income in San Diego is $92,700.<\/p>\n
A workshop attendee pointed out that the goal for low income housing is nearly double that of the previous housing element cycle and the city was unable to meet that goal by a wide margin.<\/p>\n
\u201cVirtually no jurisdiction in the state does [meet its low income housing goals],\u201d Tan said.<\/p>\n
It was also noted that the low income housing goals for the previous cycle were created during the Great Recession and the goals for this upcoming cycle were created during \u201cpeak conditions\u201d for production. Tan said that the numbers cannot be altered by law once approved by the state, despite the fact that economic conditions could deteriorate to a worse level than the last recession due to the COVID-19 pandemic.<\/p>\n
One area that the city will be able to look at and update ordinances for are homeless shelters.<\/p>\n
\u201cSpecifically, when it comes to shelter options and housing options for the homeless, for all income and all ability, the city will be updating or amending its ordinance,\u201d Tan said, adding that La Mesa will include transitional supportive housing in that ordinance update. \u201cAnd there will be other types of amendments \u2013 the emergency shelters ordinance will be amended to make it more flexible based on new state law. There is also the low-barrier navigation centers that the city will be providing provisions for that is housing for the homeless while they are waiting to be transitioned to permanent housing.\u201d<\/p>\n