Economic Development Recovery and Resiliency Playbook - Flipbook - Page 34
recreational vehicle, personal automobile, or some
other form of shelter. They join other community
residents not participating in the labor force and
unable to access any housing.
The housing shortage and access crises were
already underway when the COVID-19 pandemic
impacts began in March 2020. The lack of equitable
access to housing became more acute when
businesses closed and workers stayed home.
Employees who were able to work from home did
so, but most food service, tourism, and hospitality
establishments had to close and lay of their workers.
Some of the low-income workers were already
struggling to remain housed, and the pandemic
made their situation much more dificult.
The extremely complex challenge of creating
an adequate supply of housing accessible for
residents of all income levels requires mutual
cooperation among the private sector and all levels
of government. It is critical that this partnership be in
place prior to the next pandemic, earthquake, fire, or
other disaster that may strike a community.
Expanding California's housing supply is critical to meet workforce needs.
In the meantime, local government and economic developers play an important role in eforts to expand the housing supply
and create an adequate mix of housing that fits the needs of all residents. Making changes in existing zoning ordinances and
parking requirements can allow for more residential uses, both in large cities and small towns. Land use changes can remove
some barriers to housing access; for example, by allowing higher density or the construction of accessory dwelling units (ADUs)
in a residential area, or by changing zoning from commercial only to mixed use. Lower development fees can reduce the cost of
building new housing, and a faster approval process can speed up construction and reduce costs.
Local governments can help improve housing infrastructure by making it a priority to attract investment in expanding housing
stock to serve all residents as part of an ongoing efort to prepare for the next economic disruption. An ongoing dialogue with
potential housing investors and nonprofit housing advocacy groups can help jurisdictions to better understand the housing
needs that all residents confront.
Transportation Infrastructure
Healthy, sustainable local and regional transportation systems are critical infrastructure needed for communities to
successfully expand and diversify the job base and improve income and wealth for all residents. The adequacy of transportation
infrastructure will always be critically important to businesses of all sizes. By encouraging businesses to locate in convenient
areas, a community’s transportation infrastructure investments can reduce commute times, resulting in productivity gains that
benefit employers and workers alike. It paves the way for higher profits and wages and job creation.
While it makes sense to encourage reduced travel for new projects, it is also the law in California. SB 743 (Steinberg, Chapter 386,
Statutes of 2013) updated California Environmental Quality Act guidelines to change how lead agencies assess transportation
impacts, specifically looking at Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT). This new guidance took efect in 2020, and now Caltrans and
communities must consider VMT and reducing VMT when making vital transportation infrastructure decisions.16
Roads, bridges, airports, ports, and rail systems comprise California’s “hard” transportation infrastructure, but the “sof”
16
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See https://opr.ca.gov/ceqa/sb-743/faq.html#what-is
CALED | Economic Development Recovery and Resiliency Playbook
