Steven Stenzler, left, and Michael Gunning, center, with moderator Mack Carlson, discuss the issues facing the housing industry in the year ahead. The panel was held at the 2024 Santa Barbara Housing Conference on Thursday, December 5.

Governor Newsom signed into law a comprehensive bipartisan housing package to build on California’s long-term strategy to help address homelessness and housing scarcity.

Cooperative housing is gaining momentum as an innovative solution to the housing affordability crisis in the U.S. Projects like Seattle's Corvidae Co-op showcase collaborative ownership models that blend architectural creativity with financial inclusivity.

Becoming a Habitat for Humanity homeowner is no easy feat. It’s a path that demands determination, commitment, and an unwavering belief in the promise of a better future. For one Santa Barbara family, this journey is about more than just building a house—it’s about building stability, opportunity, and a brighter tomorrow.

Santa Barbara’s housing crisis continues to push city planners, developers, and community members to ask one pressing question: where should we build? In a region where space is limited and housing costs soar, balancing the demand for more housing with the need to preserve Santa Barbara’s character is challenging. This article from the Montecito Journal dives into potential solutions, looking at how urban infill, zoning adjustments, and thoughtful development could address housing needs while respecting the environment and community identity.

Thursday, December 5, 2024

The housing crisis is complex and multifaceted, but together, we can make a difference. Attending the Santa Barbara Housing Conference is an opportunity to engage with the region’s thought leaders, contribute to ongoing discussions, and find ways to get involved in crafting solutions for our community.

By working together, we can bridge the affordability gap and move toward a future where Santa Barbara’s workforce has access to housing that’s both affordable and accessible. We look forward to seeing you there!

Saturday, October 19, 2024

Housing Santa Barbara Day, organized by the Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara, is an annual event dedicated to promoting awareness and providing valuable resources to those seeking affordable housing. This year, the event will be held on Saturday, October 19, at De La Guerra Plaza, with activities running from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. The day features a mix of informational booths, expert-led workshops, and community resources, making it an essential occasion for anyone interested in affordable housing opportunities in the area.

SB 4 is now law, allowing faith-based organizations & non-profit colleges to build affordable homes on their land.

Santa Barbara is facing the challenge of increasing state housing demands while preserving its unique charm. The city has proposed new design standards aimed at ensuring that new developments harmonize with the local architectural style and community character.

The Yardi brothers plan to transform a downtown Santa Barbara commercial building into housing, aiming to address the city's need for more residential units.

In a city renowned for its picturesque coastline and Mediterranean charm, Santa Barbara is facing a crucial debate that pits housing needs against the demand for hotels.

Modular housing, characterized by prefabricated sections constructed off-site and assembled on location, offers innovative solutions to housing shortages, cost overruns, and environmental concerns.

The goal of this meeting is to provide actionable multi-benefit strategies that can build off of the State Street Master Plan in an effort to support future projects.

Understanding affordable housing can be complex, as it encompasses various definitions and criteria depending on the region and economic conditions.

Across the country, neighborhood groups are uniting to fund mixed-use developments that meet housing and business demands, giving locals a place to live, work and learn new skills.

Every eight years, the state of California determines the RHNA (Regional Housing Needs Assessment) number of housing units each jurisdiction is expected to produce locally to collectively address the statewide lack of housing.