General Plan - Moreno Valley

CHAPTER 8 – HOUSINGThe following are examples of ways inwhich the City facilitates housing forpersons with disabilities through itsregulatory and permitting processes:1. Adjustments to off-street parkingrequirements can be approvedadministratively by thecommunity development director.In the past the City has reducedparking requirements for housingfor disabled persons and housingfor the elderly.2. The City allows group homes inall residential districts. The Citydoes not have the authority toapprove or deny group homes ofsix or fewer residents.3. The City does not restrictoccupancy nor does it imposeconditions on group homes thatprovide services on-site.4. The City permits the siting ofmulti-family handicap housing inthe RS10, R10, R15, R20, OfficeCommercial, and Office zoningdesignations.5. The City of Moreno Valley'sDevelopment Code allows thedevelopment of granny units foruse by person sixty-two andabove. This type of housing isoften used to house elderlyhousehold members with mobilityimpairments. The City facilitatesthe development of the units byreducing development fees by50%.8.6.21 Universal Design ElementThe City of Moreno Valley has not adopteda universal design ordinance. The Citydoes not preclude developers from utilizinguniversal design principles.MORENO VALLEY GENERAL PLAN8.6.22 Non-Governmental ConstraintsNon-governmental constraints are those notregulated by or otherwise controlled bygovernment. Non-governmental constraintsare related to market conditions and often tocommunity attitudes with regard toaffordable housing.8.6.23 Land CostsHigh land cost is a constraint on thedevelopment of affordable housing. In2000, improved land costs for a singlefamilylot are approximately $45,000 and$37,000 per unit for multi-family residentialdevelopment (prices are current for 2000).By comparison, land costs in Moreno Valleyare very reasonable. Because MorenoValley suffered significant depreciation inland values during the recession of the1990s, many developers were able topurchase improved lots for as low as$25,000 and hold them until the marketimproved. Consequently, they were able topass those savings on in the final salesprice. However, those lots have beendeveloped and developers are now payinghigher prices for lots.8.6.24 Availability of FinancingFinancing has been more readily availablesince the market has improved. Financinghas been the primary constraint indeveloping housing in Moreno Valley duringthe last ten years. Although, as previouslynoted, land prices were very low, financingfor market rate or affordable housing wasnot available during the recession.Consequently, during the last reportingperiod for the housing element (1990-1997),the only multi-family housing built in the citywas financed by the RedevelopmentAgency of the City of Moreno Valley.Page 8-66 July 11, 2006