Affordable housing requirement for 5940 Soquel Avenue project
Summary
The Board debated whether to require 15% or 20% affordable units in the KB Home project. The county's 2014 nexus study suggested 23% was feasible for moderate-income for-sale housing, but staff and the developer argued 20% would kill the project. Neighbors said even the affordable units would sell for hundreds of thousands of dollars.
At a glance
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- Last 30 days
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Last discussed Feb 24, 2026.
Impact analysis
15 of 100 units will be price-restricted for moderate-income buyers, likely around $420,000-$450,000 for a three-bedroom instead of the $1.2-1.3 million market price.
Moderate-income buyers get a rare entry point to homeownership, and county employees get a purchase preference under the easement MOU.
Critics argue very-low and low-income residents lose out because the affordable units serve moderate incomes, and mobile home park neighbors face new privacy and parking impacts.
Mentions & discussions (1)
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