SAN CLEMENTE : Committee to Examine Affordable Housing

In an effort to plan for the renovation of older neighborhoods and create more affordable housing, the Housing Element Advisory Committee will meet over the next six months starting tonight.

Anyone with ideas on revitalizing older neighborhoods or influencing new development in San Clemente can attend the committee meeting in the Community Development offices at 911 Calle Negocio.

“The biggest thing we’re doing will be to try to provide programs that will meet the needs of people who can’t afford to purchase homes,” said Lesley Davis, city housing director.

According to the 1990 census, 21% of all households in San Clemente earned less than $22,499, Davis said.

There are two reasons why finding housing for the poor is becoming more critical, she said.

The remaining open space earmarked for development is in the hills of east San Clemente, where builders must pay more for construction.

Consequently, less affordable housing is built.

In addition, more people are streaming into San Clemente.

According to California Department of Finance figures, San Clemente was the fourth-fastest-growing community in Orange County in 1994, with a 3.7% population increase, which means an additional 1,650 people moved into the city.

One possible solution could be renovating existing apartments and condominiums.

“We’ll be looking into revitalizing downtown,” Davis said. “We’ll see about working with nonprofit organizations that can purchase and recondition existing housing.”

The nine-member committee will meet twice a month for the next six months.

Its mission is to make recommendations to the City Council on updating the part of the city’s General Plan that deals with housing.