Santa Barbara is working to meet California’s mandated housing goals of 8,001 new units by 2031.

More than 60% (nearly 5,000) are designated to be affordable to low- and moderate-income households.

While this may appear successful on paper, most new housing has been expensive market-rate units while production of the most needed affordable workforce housing struggles with less than 4% realized to date.

Why?

Nonprofit organizations deliver 100% affordable housing but struggle for funding since elimination of the Redevelopment Agency in 2012.

For-profit developments deliver a small percentage of affordable (generally ~ 7%-13%).  State legislation — such as the builder’s remedy law and other laws — allows greater density with minimal to no community involvement.

Development choices can help address complex programs and sites. However, they can result in out-of-scale buildings; overproduction of market-rate options; underproduction of affordable units; and great concern, frustration and growing sense of disconnection from the community.

Is There a Better Way?

Yes! Local nonprofit organizations have shown it is possible to build housing that fits Santa Barbara and delivers the most needed affordable housing.

Look at Jardin de las Rosas, Sanctuary Centers or Jacaranda Court — all 100% affordable, thoughtfully designed and with community support.

How?

• Support well-balanced housing projects and aggressively increase affordable unit levels

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• Create permanent funding for nonprofits through a local housing fund, and establish a new Redevelopment Agency

• Invest in nonprofit developers and give generously

• Encourage private developers to produce community scaled housing projects

• Implement and support adaptive reuse to include and promote housing

• Support development options for creative solutions that can create more affordable housing

• Make planning and building process smoother and more predictable, while protecting community values

We know what can work! The following eight Santa Barbara projects show what is possible when community and developers work together.

Jardin De Las Rosas, at 510 N. Salsipuedes St. and East Haley Street, was new construction designed by RRM Design Group and completed in 2018 for People’s Self Help Housing. All 40 units are low income affordable.
Jardin De Las Rosas, at 510 N. Salsipuedes St. and East Haley Street, was new construction designed by RRM Design Group and completed in 2018 for People’s Self Help Housing. All 40 units are low income affordable. Credit: People’s Self Help Housing photo
The Soltara Apartments, at 27 E. Gutierrez St., was completed by developer Peter Lewis in 2025. Designed by Cearnal Collective, eight of the 78 units, or 10%, are affordable.
The Soltara Apartments, at 27 E. Gutierrez St., was completed by developer Peter Lewis in 2025. Designed by Cearnal Collective, eight of the 78 units, or 10%, are affordable. Credit: Joshua Molina / Noozhawk file photo
Jacaranda Court, a Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara project at 400 W. Carrillo St. downtown, is expected to begin construction later this year. Designed by the Cearnal Collective, all 63 units are set aside as affordable housing.
Jacaranda Court, a Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara project at 400 W. Carrillo St. downtown, is expected to begin construction later this year. Designed by the Cearnal Collective, all 63 units are set aside as affordable housing. Credit: Cearnal Collective rendering
Designed by architect Thomas Ochsner and developed by the Hawkes family in 2020, the six-unit complex at State and West Pedregosa streets is 100% market rate.
Designed by architect Thomas Ochsner and developed by the Hawkes family in 2020, the six-unit complex at State and West Pedregosa streets is 100% market rate. Credit: Thomas Ochsner Architect photo
A builder’s remedy project at 1 Hot Springs Road, was approved last year with four of its 22 units, or 18%, designated as affordable. Designed by DesignARC Inc., the project is being developed by the Santa Barbara Cemetery Association on property it owns between Channel Drive and the Union Pacific railroad tracks.
A builder’s remedy project at 1 Hot Springs Road, was approved last year with four of its 22 units, or 18%, designated as affordable. Designed by DesignARC Inc., the project is being developed by the Santa Barbara Cemetery Association on property it owns between Channel Drive and the Union Pacific railroad tracks. Credit: DesignARC Inc. rendering
A pending adaptive reuse project at Chapala and West Ortega streets downtown will have four of its 47 units, or 9%, designated as affordable. Designed by architect Tom Meaney, the project earned approval in 2022.
A pending adaptive reuse project at Chapala and West Ortega streets downtown will have four of its 47 units, or 9%, designated as affordable. Designed by architect Tom Meaney, the project earned approval in 2022. Credit: Tom Meaney Architect rendering
The former Quality Inn, at 3055 De la Vina St. at State Street, is being converted by the Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara in an adaptive reuse project designed by RRM Design Group. With an expected completion in 2026, all 33 units will be low-income affordable.
The former Quality Inn, at 3055 De la Vina St. at State Street, is being converted by the Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara in an adaptive reuse project designed by RRM Design Group. With an expected completion in 2026, all 33 units will be low-income affordable. Credit: RRM Design Group rendering
Sanctuary Centers of Santa Barbara is building a five-story, 32-unit, low-income affordable complex on its property on West Anapamu Street downtown. Designed by Cearnal Collective, the project is expected to be completed in 2026.
Sanctuary Centers of Santa Barbara is building a five-story, 32-unit, low-income affordable complex on its property on West Anapamu Street downtown. Designed by Cearnal Collective, the project is expected to be completed in 2026. Credit: Cearnal Collective rendering

Architect Cass Ensberg FAIA is a longtime Santa Barbara resident and principal of Ensberg Jacobs Design.
She currently serves on the Historic Landmarks Commission, has served on the city Arts Advisory Committee, and started and helps administer the Kids Draw Architecture Program for the Architectural Foundation of Santa Barbara. The opinions expressed are her own.