Local housing for local workers is key to a cleaner environment Live Work& The Washington Street view of the proposed “The Oaks” project. TCould environmentally friendly and affordable multi-family units pave thehe City of Calistoga has jobs and it has workers, but the northernmost NapaCounty city is lagging behind in meeting the housing needs of its residents. way to keep more Calistoga workers living locally? In 2010, the Calistoga Affordable Housing (CAH) established an award-winning CAH offers program as one of seven national award winners in the U.S.A. Since 2001 they have“Rebuilding Calistoga” program, which has provided rehabilitation help for more than140 senior homeowners. The AARP “Create the Good” award program selected the solutions to there is not enough affordable housing – or housing, period?completed three major development projects aimed at Calistoga’s growing work force.But what about those working families without local housing? Workers like teachers,firefighters and city workers living outside Calistoga who are commuting in because Calistoga’s pointed out that a family is considered low income if they make less than $83,000Dr. Larry Kromann, President and CEO of CAH, said, “One of CAH’s goal is tobuild and promote housing for the average Calistoga working family.” Dr. Kromann housing $65,000 annually.per year, with the median household income being $50,128. His 18-unit proposedproject on Lower Washington Street is targeting families that earn between $45,000 and shortage town’s income comes from the TOT (Transient Occupancy Tax). Calistoga is an agingThree major resort projects are on the drawing board for Calistoga, which could bringin 400 new jobs that the city needs, according to Dr. Kromann. “Sixty percent of the community and needs to replace its old infrastructure. These new developments are projected to bring in over $11 million annually. CAH is requesting $1 million from the City’s in-lieu fees to assist in building new housing.” CAH has successfully completed the city’s design review process and continues to put the puzzle together to meet citizen concerns for “The Oaks” project on Washington Street. Following a commission meeting last month, Dr. Kromann is optimistic that the Oaks project is ideal for what Calistoga needs. “They liked the new design, and 56 w w w. N A PA V A L L E Y L I F E M A g A z I N E . C O M
NVLife_NovDec_2012
To see the actual publication please follow the link above