It’s Time For HCD To Approve Mill Valley’s Housing Element
We agree with the analysis of fair housing issues in the draft housing Element finding that Mill Valley is racially and ethnically segregated. In particular, we agree with the Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH) analysis in Appendix E which finds the City:
- has been impacted by past discriminatory housing practices with respect to land use and demographics
- lacks diversity within the entire City
- is a high resource area with racially concentrated areas of affluence throughout the City
- has limited vacancy and supply of affordable housing and rental housing, and high rents throughout the City, particularly for large units
- has limited subsidized affordable housing and Section 8 housing.
Table 4.2 lists Meaningful Actions and Programs the City will implement to respond to these issues and to affirmatively further fair housing. In particular, we strongly agree with the analysis of new housing opportunities in high resource areas that supports Program 10 – “Build approximately 40-50 new low-income deed restricted rental units at 1 Hamilton.”
The 1 Hamilton project would be a solid down payment on the City’s strategy to affirmatively further fair housing by promoting housing development, along with other initiatives such as Program 5 to eliminate the use permit requirement for residential development in mixed use districts, Program 6 to create residential development incentives, and Program 20 to establish a housing overlay along the City’s residential corridor.
We strongly urge that HCD certify Mill Valley’s 2023 – 2031 Housing Element. The adopted Housing Element will provide a strong legal foundation for the 1 Hamilton project and other policies and programs that will support housing opportunities and reduce segregation in the Mill Valley.