AgdaPkt 2021.01.11 Amended Joint SA PFA

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6.C. - Page 11 of 29 ISSUE Second Units: Adding New Housing In The Neighborhoods How are the County of San Mateo and its cities supporting homeowners who are considering building a new Second Unit on their property or upgrading a non -permitted one, in response to new State laws, which became effective January 1, 2020? SUMMARY Housing availability is a top priority in San Mateo County because while 93,000 new jobs were added between 2010-2018, only 8,500 new housing units were built. Housing considered "affordable" is especially at a crisis point. "Limited land and the large gap between new jobs and available housing lead to high rents and high home prices. As of 2019, median rent in the County for a one -bedroom apartment is $2,621 and for a two-bedroom apartment it is $3,349, while only 24% of County households can afford to purchase an entry-level home."' To put this slow-moving catastrophe into further perspective, more than two-thirds (68%) of the County's land is protected from development because it is either agricultural or open space. At the same time, of the County's already developed land, two-thirds is occupied by single-family homes.z Simply stated, building more single-family homes cannot begin to solve the County's housing shortfall. "Second Units" — broadly defined as self-contained living spaces that are on the same property as an existing residence — present a creative and innovative option to addressing the region's affordable housing crisis. The number of new Second Units dramatically increased after several State laws went into effect in 2017. This made the construction of Second Units easier for homeowners. The number of new Second Units is expected to further increase as a result of new state laws which went into effect in January 2020. It has become clear to date that Second Units are popular for a variety of reasons. They are attractive as housing for relatives, rental income and personal investment as well as providing the option to downsize. Such units can also supply housing for community members like educators or public safety employees who otherwise would not be able to live in the community in which they work. Factoring in that there are approximately 155,000 single - I Home for All Brochure, Published April 2019. Accessed May 15, 2020. httpsalhomcroral Isme.org./wp- canten{luploads12019I0VI- A_brochure�ylfL -B.pdf Z Home for All Community Convening on Second Units: Maintaining the Momentum, February 27, 2020 2019-2020 San Mateo County Civil Grand Jury 136