In a notable push to bolster affordable housing, Placer County is paving the way for those priced out of an increasingly expensive housing market. The county's Board of Supervisors has just given the green light to a pair of housing agreements slated to provide homes for residents earning below the median income.
Specifically, plans have been solidified for the Placer Creek Affordable Apartments located at Baseline Road and Westbrook Boulevard, adding 168 units dedicated to extremely low- to low-income tenants, as reported by Placer County's official website. The deal, struck with Placer Creek Affordable LP and Lennar Homes, establishes a 55-year affordability period and outlines tenant eligibility and rent ceilings. In her statements, Placer County Housing Manager Nikki Streegan highlighted the project’s alignment with the county’s long-term housing objectives.
Meanwhile, the second agreement injects 322 lots into the Mill Creek Subdivision for single-family homes, enhancing the Dry Creek-West Placer community. This initiative is not just about quantity but also about integrating different forms of living spaces, with 33 accessory dwelling units (ADUs) mixed into the first two phases of development.
The approach to ADUs seeks diversity, with one unit earmarked for very-low-income households, while the remainder adhere to “affordable by design” principles, maintaining dimensions under 750 square feet, Streegan conveyed. Moreover, limitations are placed on these units; they cannot be rented out for short-term lodgings, they must be tied to the primary property, and they must keep in line with local size and affordability rules. The project invites multigenerational families and offers rental possibilities that coalesce with the existing residential character.
