BOARD AGENDA MEMORANDUM
SUBJECT:Title
Consider the October 27, 2022, Diversity and Inclusion Ad Hoc Committee Recommendations to Revise the Board Governance Ends Policy E-4, Water Resources Stewardship, and Address Support for Affordable Housing.
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RECOMMENDATION:Recommendation
Consider recommendations resulting from the October 27, 2022, Diversity and Inclusion Ad Hoc Committee meeting to:
A. Revise the Board Governance Ends Policy E-4, Water Resources Stewardship; and address support for affordable housing; and
B. Adopt the proposed modifications to the Board Governance Ends Policy E-4.
Body
SUMMARY:
At its March 22, 2022 regular meeting, the Board discussed housing affordability as it relates to environmental justice, the related unhoused-population crisis, and the potential role of the One Water watershed plans in impeding the construction of new housing. The Board referred this topic to the Diversity and Inclusion Ad Hoc Committee for further discussion and updates.
Although Valley Water does not have land use authority, and therefore lacks the jurisdiction to directly influence the availability of affordable housing, the Board has previously expressed concern about the cost of housing in our region and impacts on the unhoused. Valley Water efforts that are currently underway that are related to and seek to address the Board's concerns, to the extent that Valley Water is able, are described below.
Under the 15-year Safe, Clean Water and Natural Flood Protection Program, Valley Water has dedicated over $38.7 million to continue the ongoing coordination with local cities and agencies to clean up trash and contaminants associated with large creekside encampments. This cooperative effort includes working with local municipalities, social services, and nonprofit advocacy groups which help provide housing alternatives to the unsheltered population, including a $500,000 per year cost-share agreement with other agencies for services related to enca...
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