Goals

1. Goal H-1 Housing Production and Supply

   A broad range of housing types in sufficient quantity, location, and affordability levels that meet the lifestyle needs of current and future residents, including those with special needs.

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2. Goal H-2 Development Regulations

   An efficient administrative process that recognizes the need for efficient and timely review of residential projects while also ensuring and valuing the need for quality design, environmental review, and planning.

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3. Goal H-3 Housing and Neighborhood Quality

   Neighborhoods that protect the health, safety, and welfare of the community, and enhance public and private efforts in maintaining, reinvesting in, and upgrading the existing housing stock.

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4. Goal H-5 Equal housing opportunities

   Equal housing opportunities for all persons regardless of race, age, religion, sex, marital status, disability status, ancestry, national origin, or color.

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Policies

1. Policy H-1.1 Appropriate range of housing

   We encourage the production and location of a range of housing types, densities, and affordability levels in a manner that recognizes the unique characteristics, issues, and opportunities for each community.

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2. Policy H-1.2 Concurrent infrastructure

   We support the integrated planning and provision of appropriate infrastructure (including water, sewer, and roadways) concurrent with and as a condition of residential development to create more livable communities.

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3. Policy H-1.3 Income-restricted multifamily

   Where infrastructure and public services are available, we encourage the production of affordable multifamily housing by providing assistance and incentives for projects that include new affordable units reserved for lower income, moderate income, or special needs households.

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4. Policy H-1.4 Accessory dwelling units.

   We Incentivize and encourage the construction of accessory dwelling units through various methods, including but not limited to public education, fee modification, and making necessary resources available.

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5. Policy H-1.5 RHNA transfers with annexation

   We work with the Southern California Association of Governments, Local Agency Formation Commission, and incorporated jurisdictions to develop agreements for the transfer of the regional housing need allocation as a precondition for annexations.

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6. Policy H-1.6 Life-cycle costs

   We encourage energy-conservation techniques and upgrades in both the construction and rehabilitation of residential units that will reduce the life-cycle costs of housing.

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7. Policy H-2.1 Streamlining development regulations

   We review the County Development Code regularly for possible revisions that might unduly constrain the production or rehabilitation of residential development. We also advocate for changes in state law, state and federal tax codes, and funding vehicles that will make market rate and affordable housing more feasible.

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8. Policy H-2.2 Small lot sizes

   We continue to utilize Planned Development density bonus and density transfer provisions as described in the Development Code to allow the development of lot sizes less than that normally required by residential land use districts.

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9. Policy H-2.3 Flexible standards and incentives

   We maintain development incentives and allow flexibility in the application of residential and mixed-use development standards to gain benefits such as exceptional design quality, economic advantages, sustainability, or other benefits that would not otherwise be realized.

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10. Policy H-2.4 Certain and transparent process

    We maintain a residential development review process that provides certainty and transparency for project stakeholders and the public, complies with streamlining provisions in state law, and provides sufficient review to ensure safe and high quality housing development.

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11. Policy H-2.5 Critical infrastructure

    We ensure that the efficient provision of critical infrastructure accompanies residential development and the building of complete communities, and ensure that the costs are fairly apportioned to the development community.

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12. Policy H-3.1 Public Services, amenities, and safety

    We support the provision of adequate and fiscally sustainable public services, infrastructure, open space, non-motorized transportation routes, and public safety for neighborhoods in the unincorporated area.

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13. Policy H-3.2 Code enforcement

    We support the timely removal of neighborhood blight through graffiti abatement, abandoned or inoperative automobile removal, trash and debris removal, housing repair, and other code enforcement efforts.

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14. Policy H-3.3 Housing maintenance

    We establish and enforce public health, safety, building, and zoning standards to ensure housing and property maintenance that yields safe, sound, and attractive residential properties.

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15. Policy H-3.4 Housing rehabilitation and improvement

    We seek funding to facilitate the rehabilitation, repair, and improvement of single family homes, multiple family housing, and mobile homes and, if needed, the demolition of substandard housing through available loan and grant programs.

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16. Policy H-3.5 Inspection of subsidized housing

    We inspect or facilitate the inspection of assisted multifamily rental housing, contract shelters, voucher hotels, and other housing projects on a regular basis to ensure that properties are regularly repaired and maintained in good condition.

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17. Policy Policy H-3.6 Neighborhood improvements

    We support comprehensive neighborhood efforts to address housing conditions, property maintenance, infrastructure repair, public safety, landscaping, and other issues affecting the livability of neighborhoods

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18. Policy H-4.1 At-Risk units

    We seek funding to preserve income-restricted housing units that are at risk of converting to market rents within 10 years due to the expiration of affordability covenants or funding contracts. In establishing or extending affordability requirements, we prefer the preservation of affordability in perpetuity.

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19. Policy H-4.2 Rental assistance

    We support the provision of rental assistance to qualified extremely low, very low, and low income households and special needs households served by the County Housing Authority, Department of Behavioral Health, and other County entities.

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20. Policy Policy H-4.3 Homeowner assistance

    We support the expansion of homeownership opportunities and preservation by offering financial assistance when available, working in collaboration with partners to increase funding, and supporting foreclosure prevention programs.

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21. Policy Policy H-4.4 Modernize and replace multiple-family projects

    We support the Housing Authority’s efforts to modernize and replace, where needed, existing multiple-family projects to provide safe, sound, and affordable housing options for qualified low income individuals and families.

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22. Policy Policy H-4.5 Nonprofit partnerships

    We continue to form and strengthen partnerships with nonprofit organizations, public agencies, community-based organizations, and housing developers in order to increase housing opportunities for very low and low income and special needs households.

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23. Policy H-5.1 Housing discrimination

    We further fair housing opportunities by prohibiting discrimination in the housing market; providing education, support, and enforcement services to address discriminatory practices; and removing potential impediments to equal housing opportunity.

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Related Materials

1. Element as Adopted (adopted separately from Countywide Plan) 2021-29 San Bernardino County Housing Element (PDF only)
2. Technical Report for Housing Element Housing Element Technical Report (WEB only)
3. Policy Maps Policy Plan Map HE-1 (NEW) (WEB only)
4. Program 4- Short Term Rental Outreach Meeting Information Meeting Information (WEB only)

Policies

1. Policy HW-1.1 Coordinated holistic approach

   We invest in a holistic approach to individual health and wellness to improve the continuum of care, providing coordinated services through departments and agencies associated with human services, economic development, law and justice, and housing, as well as other agencies and nongovernmental organizations.

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2. Policy HW-1.7 Upstream issues

   We collaborate with partners to address upstream issues related to the social determinants of health and social stability (e.g., income, education, housing, neighborhood conditions, and job skills), and to reduce the occurrence of and costs associated with responding to acute and chronic conditions, while complying with federal, state, and local mandates.

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3. Policy HW-1.9 Homelessness

   We address homelessness by coordinating a comprehensive countywide network of service delivery and by focusing on transitional and permanent supportive housing for the homeless, including the chronically homeless and near-homeless families and individuals.

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Policies

1. Policy HZ-3.4 Residential Improvements

   In directing discretionary housing improvements investments in unincorporated communities, we encourage and prioritize investments that also address environmental conditions identified in the Hazard Element tables. We utilize code enforcement activities to enhance structural safety and property maintenance in environmental justice focus areas.

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1. FOCUS STATEMENT C - Facilitate the provision of sewer infrastructure and sewage treatment capacity to accommodate additional residential and business development in areas of Bloomington planned for more intense development.

   Action Statement C.1

   3.1 Evaluate potential sewer infrastructure needs

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   Action Statement C.2

   3.2 Develop sewer improvement community consensus and strategy

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2. FOCUS STATEMENT E - Generate revenue to offset impacts of new development in Bloomington by establishing new development impact fees and financing districts, and also restricting the use of that revenue to improvements in Bloomington

   Action Statement E.1

   5.1 Present a summary of development impact fee and financing districts

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   Action Statement E.2

   5.2 Community Development and Housing Department conducts nexus studies and drafts ordinance

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   Action Statement E.3

   5.3 Prepare and adopt a development impact fee ordinance

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1. FOCUS STATEMENT A - Improve the quality of our built environment to enhance community health, safety, neighborhood character, and the image of our business corridors.

   Action Statement A.7

   Promote cleanup and repurposing of underutilized properties along Big Bear Boulevard, in Fawnskin, and in other key locations as identified by program partners.

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1. FOCUS STATEMENT A - Improve housing options for Baker residents

   Action Statement A.1

   Coordinate with San Bernardino County Land Use Services on a community proposal to study subdivision and zoning requirements in Baker to better allow for a diverse and affordable housing stock.

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   Action Statement A.2

   Advertise and promote U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)/Residential Development Single Family Housing Repair Loans & Grants program to eligible residents as a source of financing for home repair.

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   Action Statement A.3

   Promote housing assistance programs available through San Bernardino County including the California Homebuyer Fund and the California Homebuyer’s Down-payment Assistance Program.

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   Action Statement A.4

   Work with San Bernardino County Economic Development Agency, San Bernardino County Department of Human Services and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)/Rural Development to better understand grant and loan programs available to provide for and improve housing in Baker.

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1. FOCUS STATEMENT A - Provide a unified downtown area that is active and thriving

   Action Statement A.3

   Encourage property owners to maintain and improve their properties (e.g. new paint, façade improvements, trash/debris clean-up).

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1. FOCUS STATEMENT B - Promote responsible and sustainable development consistent with Lucerne Valley’s rural character

   Action Statement B.4

   Partner with a housing advocacy group or nonprofit to identify and rehabilitate existing housing stock, recognizing a number of existing homes are in need of repair or have been abandoned.

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   Action Statement B.5

   Investigate methods of financing a revolving fund to assist with the rehabilitation of owner-occupied homes, which would improve the community’s aesthetics while creating local jobs for contractors and handy-men.

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2. FOCUS STATEMENT D - Improve Lucerne Valley’s water and sewer infrastructure with a focus on the community’s sustainability

   Action Statement D.1

   Encourage community members to lobby the California State Legislature to change state law to allow hauled water for certain types and locations of homes.

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3. FOCUS STATEMENT E - Improve the delivery of essential services such as police and fire to the community

   Action Statement E.5

   Treat our local homeless and disadvantaged population with respect and assist them with finding adequate housing.

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1. FOCUS STATEMENT B - Improve community safety and reduce crime

   Action Statement B.3

   Collaborate with the Sheriff’s Department and the San Bernardino County Homeless Partnership to provide services to those experiencing homelessness in Oro Grande.

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1. FOCUS STATEMENT A - Celebrate and maintain the rural character of Phelan Piñon Hills.

   Action Statement A.1

   Establish an educational program to educate community members on private-property lighting that is dark skies compliant.

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1. FOCUS STATEMENT A - Improve the quality of the community to enhance the quality of life for citizens

   Action Statement A.1

   Collaborate with County Code Enforcement to address illegal dumping and sub-standard housing.

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2. FOCUS STATEMENT C - Enhance Public Safety

   Action Statement C.4

   Meet with County Code Enforcement to rehabilitate substandard housing.

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