The state funding will go toward seven Santa Barbara County projects aimed at increasing housing production, implementing sustainable land-use strategies, and promoting alternative modes of transportation such as walking, biking, rolling, and transit.
Jenelle Osborne, chair of the SBCAG board of directors, said the funding will allow the organization to invest in sustainable infrastructure and affordable housing initiatives throughout the region.
“From a prototypical single-family home constructed with innovative 3D printing technology to a permit-ready Accessory Dwelling Unit program in the City of Lompoc, our projects will prioritize climate resilience and active transportation options while also advancing equitable access to housing for all our residents,” Osborne said in a release.
SBCAG has approved the use of $2.5 million to increase sewer capacity and make multimodal transportation improvements in downtown Santa Maria. The plan is designed to make improvements needed to catalyze development in Santa Maria’s urban core by including plans for a bus rapid transit station and traffic calming improvements.
To assist the City of Lompoc, SBCAG is allocating $450,000 to expedite the permitting process and reduce pre-construction fees for housing in Lompoc. The City of Lompoc will use the funds to spur accessory dwelling unit development in an effort to provide choice and affordability in housing.
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Among other fund allocations is $375,000 to build the first 3D-printed affordable housing unit in Santa Barbara County as a demonstration of concept. The one-unit project, managed by the Housing Trust Fund of Santa Barbara County, will provide for a proof of concept for low-cost housing construction and navigate building codes and permitting for novel construction methods, according to SBCAG.
Jennifer McGovern, president and CEO of the Housing Trust Fund of Santa Barbara County, said the project, “will demonstrate the use of surplus church properties to produce affordable housing and test the potential for innovative 3D robotics construction to produce a variety of affordable housing types that can be completed on urban and suburban infill sites, including tiny homes and accessory dwelling units.”
State funds will also launch the creation of a countywide Active Transportation Data Dashboard by University of California Santa Barbara researchers, and allow to the Housing Authority of the County of Santa Barbara to increase EV charging infrastructure, transit ridership, and multimodal amenities in New Cuyama.
Administered by the California Department of Housing and Community Development , the Regional Early Action Planning Grants of 2021 makes progress toward a statewide housing goal of 2.5 million new homes by 2030.
The state allocated $600 million for planning and capital projects in support of Sustainable Communities Strategies in each region. In Santa Barbara County, the initiative is referred to as Connected 2050. Through a population-based formula, approximately $5.3 million became accessible for the Santa Barbara County region through SBCAG.
