San Carlos makes slow start on housing goal

“Since it’s the first housing element cycle, there’s a handful of things that have been accomplished but certainly a lot more that we want to accomplish,” Porras said. “We think we’re making really good progress, a lot of progress has been made by our colleagues who are working tirelessly.” 

San Carlos is currently tracking 46 units to date, less than 2% toward its goal. 

A development is considered in the goal tracker when it has been issued building permits, not necessarily when the project is officially complete, which is defined by a certificate of occupancy allowing for residents to move in. 

Affordable units, or those below market-rate, are expected to account for more than half of the city’s RHNA goal for the entire eight year cycle. All 46 units currently considered toward the RHNA goals are above moderate income level, or market-rate housing. 

“The fact that we did not permit any affordable units at all is, I know, a sad statement about the lumpiness of real estate projects and about the amount of resources we got,” Commissioner Kristen Clements said. 

However, the city did issue planning approvals for 410 new units. Of those 410 units, 47 are very-low income units, 33 are low-income units, and 1 unit is above-moderate. Porras said these can be expected to be counted toward their RHNA goals next year.

Most of the units developed in 2023 were accessory dwelling units and the city hopes to become a part of a new nonprofit ADU Resource Center, which would provide tools, educational materials and staff to help build more of those units in the city and make progress toward development goals. 

Andrea Mardesich, an associate planner for the city, said staff will propose San Carlos allocate funds to participate in this Resource Center at the next midyear budget cycle.

The annual progress report will be presented to the City Council on March 25, and if accepted, will be submitted to the California Department of Housing by the April 1 deadline.