Santa Barbara County Association of Governments Board of Directors February 18 meeting agenda includes consideration for adoption the 24,856 housing units as the final regional housing needs determination for local cities and county jurisdictions to plan to accommodate through 2031.

The Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG) received the final Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) determination from the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) of 24,856 housing units which is approximately 15 percent below the previous draft number of 29,313 units presented to the SBCAG Board of Directors last November. The final number represents Santa Barbara County’s eight-year, between 2023 and 2031, minimum housing need across various income-levels as defined by State law. On Thursday, February 18 the SBCAG Board of Directors will consider accepting the 24,856 RHNA number or request to file an objection to the State of California. The meeting starts at 10 a.m. and will be conducted with remote public participation only, suggested methods of participation is listed on the SBCAG Board meeting agenda.    
 
The 15 percent reduction is attributed to SBCAG staff’s continued consultation with HCD on the region’s draft determination that focused attention on further analyzing two components: accuracy of data sources and comparable regions related to overcrowding and cost burden. Additionally, updated American Community Survey data became available during the consultation process that was subsequently integrated into the formula calculating the final determination helping to lower the number of units.
 
The final RHNA determination was presented to SBCAG Technical Planning Advisory Committee earlier this month, the committee voted unanimously to recommend to the SBCAG Board of Directors to accept the final number. The technical committee is comprised of community development and planning staff from Santa Barbara County’s eight cities and the county.
 
Following a decision on the final RHNA number, the SBCAG Board of Directors must adopt a final methodology by which to distribute the 24,856 regional housing needs determination among Santa Barbara County’s eight cities and unincorporated areas. The final methodology will be considered for approval at the March SBCAG Board of Directors’ meeting. A draft methodology was presented to the SBCAG Board at the December 17 meeting which proposed distributing housing units by addressing the region’s jobs-housing imbalance as well as advance statutory objectives, such as promoting infill development, affirmatively furthering fair housing, and seek consistency across the region as related to the housing offered to the various income-level needs.
 
WHAT IS RHNA?
 
RHNA is the State’s fair share housing law.  It requires local governments to plan for a minimum number of housing units across four income groups.  The State’s Housing and Community Development department is responsible for determining each region’s need.  Regional agencies, such as SBCAG, are responsible for developing a methodology to allocate the housing units to local governments.  Finally, each local government, by updating its Housing Element, accommodates its share of housing need.  This is the 6th cycle which covers the 2023-2031 period. More information can be found on HCD’s Regional Housing Needs Allocation and Housing Elements’ webpage.  

Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG) launches new program for local residents and commuters to try out various models of electric bikes for free as a measure to reduce traffic and air pollution in Santa Barbara County. 
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EZ Bike Project, a new electric bicycle (e-bike) demo program operated by SBCAG Traffic Solutions division, gets underway offering a wide range of free e-bike demos of various models including cargo bikes, cruisers, city bikes, and folding bikes to local residents and commuters as a measure to reduce traffic and air pollution in Santa Barbara County. The EZ Bike Project is located at the Bike Spot, a City of Santa Barbara self-serve valet bike parking facility at 1219 Anacapa Street in Downtown Santa Barbara. Those interested to reserve an e-bike must either live or work in Santa Barbara County and can visit the EZ Bike website to sign-up for a demo. In the coming months, SBCAG plans to offer shorter demo rides on weekdays and during single-day pop-up opportunities countywide.
 
E-bikes have become more accessible to the average consumer. Most of the leading bike manufacturers offer a few different models making it challenging to compare one model from another when they are only available for purchase online. 
 
Kent Epperson, Director of SBCAG Traffic Solutions explains, “greater competition and economies of scale have brought down the price and increased the accessibility, quality and selection of e-bikes. The EZ Bike Project has a fleet of 10 e-bikes from local and online retailers that range in price from less than $1,000 to $3,500. The selection offers participants the opportunity to compare features, pricing, and ride quality between the different demo bikes. Either way, the investment one makes in an e-bike will save money compared to driving a car.”
 
While bicycle shops offer e-bike test rides of the models they carry, they are generally limited to a short test ride around the bike shop. The EZ Bike Project offers the opportunity to test riding an e-bike in a variety of conditions and routes over the weekend and at an individual’s own pace without the pressure to purchase a bicycle.
 
There are several benefits associated with e-bikes in transportation for the environment and personal health. Nancy Eckert, SBCAG’s EZ Bike Project coordinator, notes that in addition to those benefits how much joy an e-bike can bring to people who have never ridden an e-bike before, “e-bikes are smile factories. I know that when people return the bikes on Monday, they’ll come back with fun stories of the magic moments and childlike wonder that they experienced while test riding an e-bike.”
 
E-bikes are recognized as more accessible to those who have physical limitations which might prevent them from riding a standard bike. Kendra Wise, Santa Barbara County supervising environmental health specialist, a recent e-bike convert after participating in a demo stated, “until I test rode an e-bike I had no idea that it was such a game changer.  After the demo day I ended up buying an electric bike and use it to commute whenever I can.  If a not-so-in-shape mom with a minivan can ride an e-bike, anyone can.”
 
Those interested to reserve an e-bike can visit the EZ Bike website to sign-up for a demo.  Reservation options are available for Thursday to Monday e-bike trials and must be made by 5pm the Wednesday prior to the reservation.  There is no charge for the demo, however a returnable credit card damage deposit is required to test ride a e-bike.
 
The EZ Bike Project is proud to partner with Trek Bicycles, Bicycle Bob’s, and Santa Barbara Electric Bikezzz.  These sponsors made it possible to offer a wider range of demo options for people to test ride.  Courtesy of the EZ Bike sponsors, participants of the EZ Bike Project can receive a discount for an e-bike or bike accessories. Bicycle Bob’s is offering a 10% discount (up to $250) on a Trek e-bike and Santa Barbara Electric Bikezzz is offering a free high security ABUS lock with the purchase of an e-bike.