State law requires the City of Rohnert Park to adopt a Housing Element as part of the General Plan of the City of Rohnert Park. State law requires the Housing Element to include programs and policies that provide for housing for all economic segments of the community, including low-income families. The Rohnert Park Housing Element directs the City Council to ask the voters whether or not they approve of using public funds to assist the private development of rental housing for low-income families.

If Measure O is approved, the City Council could only spend public funds to assist the private development of rental housing for low-income families. The City Council could not spend public funds to develop rental housing for low-income families that would be owned by the City itself.

If Measure O is approved, no more than fifteen percent (15%) of the units, could be located in any one existing Section of the City (A Section through S Section). Also, no more than fifteen percent (15%) of the units, could be located in any one specific plan area that is included in the General Plan. In addition, of the units developed, twenty percent (20%) must be reserved for elderly or disabled households. If Measure O is approved, the authorization would expire on November 8, 2020.

s/ Betsy Strauss, City Attorney

The Santa Rosa Press Democrat

• Rohnert Park, Sonoma vote on low-cost housing

Private developers will build this housing, using funding available at the federal, state and local levels. Individual housing developments will be subject to the same planning, review and approval process as any other development, allowing citizens the opportunity to comment on the design and suitability of any proposed developments. All housing developments must be consistent with the Rohnert Park General Plan and city zoning ordinances.

The Rohnert Park City Council placed this initiative on the ballot with a unanimous vote of support. Approval of this plan is needed to meet requirements set forth in the California Constitution.

Rohnert Park has been fortunate to participate in the growth and vitality of the economy in recent years, particularly in our high tech industries. However, we are also suffering from the same lack of affordable housing that communities across the state are experiencing.

The affordable housing that will be authorized through this measure will meet the needs of people with low and very low incomes. For a family of four, a yearly income of $46,500 meets the income test for affordable, low income housing.

Our police, fire and other emergency service providers, teachers and other government employees, high tech workers, young families and many others may qualify for affordable housing. Seniors and disabled members of our community, who are often on fixed incomes, are also counting on us to develop housing that is within their means.

Approval of Measure O is the crucial first step in what will be a long process of addressing the critical shortage of affordable housing in our community. Your fellow citizens are counting on your support.

SONOMA COUNTY HOUSING ADVOCACY GROUP
s/ David Grabill

Measure O represents 800 units of growth. We are told there is a water shortage now. We will be paying for this and other growth with higher water bills, higher sewer bills, higher garbage bills, more traffic and deteriorating quality of life. Only rent control offers renters the immediate relief they so desperately need. If the supporters of Measure O cared about renters, they would support rent control.

Vote No on O.

s/ John F, Hudson, Attorney/B Section Resident
s/ Paul D. Stutrud, City Council Candidate

The backers of this measure are not interested in affordable housing. They are interested in an affordable workforce. They realize that part of the cost of labor is the cost of housing. They hope to meet this cost with as much "government assistance" as possible.

The 15% limitation of the total units on each neighborhood is a sham. This allows dumping 60% of the total in A, B, C and L Section and the remainder in the Specific Plan areas slated for annexation.

This measure also allows the City to continue its corrupt relationship with Burbank Housing. This relationship began with the City lending Burbank $390,000 to buy the land for the Tower Apartments on East Cotati Avenue. Public records show that the loan closed and the land changed ownership on September 6, 1991. However, the City did not hold its Planning Commission public hearing until September 12, 1991. Obviously, this public hearing was a sham and a fraud. The ultimate result was a 50 unit apartment complex built at a density of 30 units per acre with a total cost of $6,250,000 per the City's 1994 annual report. This is $125,000 per unit. At the time, condominiums advertised for $75,000.

More than 92% of existing renters will not benefit from this measure. Only rent control can help them. Existing Section 8 housing is not affected by this measure. However, landlords will have little incentive to renew HUD contracts without rent control. Only an alliance of existing renters and homeowners can preserve the affordability of existing housing against increases in rent and utilities.

s/ John F, Hudson, Attorney/B Section Resident
s/ Paul D. Stutrud, City Council Candidate

Error #1 - "This is an example of the "free money" theory of government." Wrong. The Measure does not raise taxes. It allows the City of Rohnert Park to use federal, state and local funds to help build low-cost housing. If we don't use these fund, other cities will.

Error #2 - "The backers of this measure are not interested in affordable housing." Wrong. Our city needs more affordable housing. Home prices and rents in Rohnert Park have increased enormously. Many people we depend on, like our teachers, nurses, police and firefighters, simply cannot afford to live here. The City Council unanimously placed Measure O on the ballot so existing funds can be used to help build affordable housing.

Error #3 - "The 15% limitation of the total units in each neighborhood is a sham." Wrong. Measure O requires that affordable housing be spread throughout the city, and be consistent with the new Rohnert Park General Plan.

Error #4 - "Allows the city to continue its corrupt relationship with Burbank Housing." Wrong. The low-cost housing authorized by Measure O can be constructed by any developer. Burbank Housing, a non-profit, has built hundreds of attractive affordable homes in Rohnert Park and throughout Sonoma County since 1980.

Error #5 - "Only rent control can help them [existing renters]." Wrong. Measure O will help build affordable housing that our city so badly needs. Rent control won't.

Please vote yes on Measure O.

SONOMA COUNTY HOUSING ADVOCACY GROUP
s/ David Grabill

1. The number of units authorized by this measure shall not exceed four percent of the housing units in the City.

2. In order to assure that such units will not be concentrated in any section of the City, no more than 15 percent of the authorized units shall be developed, constructed, or acquired in any City neighborhood (A section through S section), or in any specific plan area identified in the Rohnert Park General Plan.

3. At least 20 percent of the authorized units shall be reserved for special needs persons and families including the elderly or disabled.

4. The authorization provided by this ballot measure shall expire twenty years from November 8, 2000.