Housing Advisory Committee Summary

In January 2023, the Mayor and City Council approved the creation of the Housing Advisory Committee (HAC) to serve as a temporary Board charged with developing strategies and recommendations to increase the capacity to serve the current housing needs and gaps in our community. 

The Committee was composed of 11 members, including housing non-profit leaders, affordable and market rate housing developers, subject matter experts and a Planning Commissioner. The HAC met a total of 8 times between May 2023 and November 2024, where members received presentations from local, regional and state partners and engaged in discussions on affordable housing development. Additionally, the members participated in working sessions on future strategies and trained as advocates and spokespeople on the need for housing production and affordable housing throughout the community and with decision makers.

Throughout the HAC’s tenure, Committee Members advocated for several affordable housing projects that were approved by the City, including Sunrise Ranch, Ovation’s West Henderson BLM site, the Arroyo Grande RFQ, and Vision Park. Committee members also spoke in favor of important updates to City Codes and Regulations including development incentives, expedited plan check and reduced fees for affordable housing projects. 

During the final HAC meeting on November 21, 2024, Committee Members received appreciation certificates from Community Development & Services Director Eddie Dichter and approved the following recommendations:

1. Ensure that the City of Henderson remains a leader by advancing discussions about the need to increase supply in housing that is affordable and attainable for the community.
2. Continue to request financing, funding, and land for affordable housing developments.
3. Advocate for equitable resource allocation in state and regional partnerships.
4. Support legislative policies that support the production of more affordable housing.
5. Recognize the importance of workforce housing by pursuing a COH voluntary inclusionary zoning policy.
6. Explore options for a land trust program, including private and public partnerships.
7. Continue to educate the community on the correlation between access to affordable housing and increases in the region’s homelessness.

These recommendations were accepted by City Council on December 3, 2024, and the Mayor and City Council thanked the Committee Members for their participation and input. Planning staff will continue to work towards full implementation of these items in the upcoming Comprehensive Plan Update as well as other various current and long-range planning initiatives. 

Resources

City of Henderson Housing Affordability Brochure