Mono County APR shows new RHNA allocation more than double prior cycle; county must plan for acutely low-income supportive units

Erin Bauer, Mono Countys planning analyst, presented the countys 2025 Annual Progress Report to the Housing Authority on April 21, describing how the APR differs from building-permit totals and how the state calculator defines affordability levels.

Bauer said the APR counts only new housing units and uses a Housing and Community Development (HCD) calculator based on construction cost rather than sale price to assign affordability levels. She noted that manufactured homes make up a large share of extremely low-income units reported in the APR and that accessory dwelling unit (ADU) production has increased modestly over five years.

On regional housing need, Bauer told the board Mono County received a RHNA allocation that is "more than double" the previous cycle, which will increase the countys workload over the next planning period. She also highlighted the addition of an "acutely low" income category (015% of area median income) and said the county will be required to produce at least 11 supportive-housing units to meet that new category.

Board members raised questions about survey representation and margin of error. Chair Crites and other supervisors asked staff to check the APRs language about Spanish-language participation and other sample limitations before the next toolkit presentation. Bauer said staff will follow up and return with additional analysis when the consultant presenting the housing toolkit joins the board in June.

The board did not adopt policy at this meeting; staff summarized findings and scheduled further briefings and the toolkit presentation for upcoming meetings.