This month we had the pleasure of speaking with Rob Fredericks, the Executive Director and CEO of the Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara (HACSB). With over 28 years of experience in housing, Rob has been a pivotal figure in creating affordable housing solutions on the Central Coast.
Rob's journey in housing began with a business management degree from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, where he specialized in real estate financial management. Since joining the Housing Authority, he and his team have successfully developed over 1,600 affordable housing units, earning numerous accolades along the way.
The Role of Housing Authorities
Housing authorities play a crucial role in our communities by providing affordable housing options. Established under the 1937 Housing Act, these agencies are empowered to create and manage public housing. Rob explained that HACSB, created in 1969, has learned from the mistakes of earlier housing authorities to build not just housing, but communities with supportive services that assist residents to maintain housing.
Innovative Approaches to Housing
One of the key topics we discussed was adaptive reuse—transforming existing buildings into affordable housing. Rob highlighted a project by Jason Yardi, who purchased a vacant building in downtown Santa Barbara previously leased to Sur la Table to convert it into mixed-use space, combining commercial and residential units. This initiative serves as a model for other property owners to follow.
Addressing the Housing Crisis
The need for affordable housing in Santa Barbara is dire. Many of our local workforce are rent-burdened, paying over 50% of their income on rent. Teachers, firefighters, restaurant workers, administrative personnel, and many others earning 120% or less of the Area Median Income struggle to afford housing in Santa Barbara without the assistance of organizations such as the Housing Authority. In fact, HACSB's waitlist has over 5,000 households. Rob pointed to the Housing Authority’s 5-year plan, noting examples of housing projects in town known for their attractive design and innovative features.
Also discussed was the process for allocating affordable housing units as detailed in the City’s Housing Element, which projects a need for 8,001 units over the next eight years. Rob emphasized the importance of securing more resources to meet this urgent demand.
Employer-Sponsored Housing
Another innovative solution discussed was employer-sponsored housing. HACSB is currently working with the Santa Barbara School District to repurpose land owned by the district into housing for local teachers. Other employers in the area are following suit. By partnering with developers, employers can master lease units to provide affordable housing for their employees. This not only stabilizes housing costs for workers but also ensures a stable workforce for local businesses.
Key Takeaways:
Conclusion
Rob Fredericks and the Santa Barbara Housing Authority are at the forefront of addressing the housing crisis through innovative solutions and community-focused initiatives. Their work is a testament to the power of adaptive reuse and the importance of affordable housing in creating vibrant, sustainable communities.
Stay tuned for more insights and updates on how we can collectively tackle the housing challenges on the Central Coast.
