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Hello and welcome to the latest edition of the North Lake Tahoe newsletter.
I hope this newsletter finds you well. I’m Nikki Streegan, the Housing Manager for Placer County, and I’m reaching out to share exciting updates about the ongoing housing initiatives in eastern Placer County, which are critical for our community's well-being.
Housing affordability continues to be a cornerstone of both community strength and economic stability in eastern Placer County.
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Our local economy thrives when residents have access to affordable housing options, ensuring that our workforce can live, work, and contribute to the community they serve. However, we face a significant housing shortfall. The Mountain Housing Council's 2023 Housing Needs Assessment Update has highlighted a staggering demand for 8,200 additional housing units within the Tahoe Truckee Unified School District area, driven by workforce needs, in-commuters, seasonal workers, as well as the unhoused.
The need for affordable housing is clear.
For our community to flourish, we must prioritize solutions that address this housing gap across a spectrum of income levels. We are making progress and you can learn more about some of the programs we’re advancing below or watch a video about them here:
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Launchpad: We're excited to introduce a housing incentive program aimed at facilitating the creation of new housing units in eastern Placer County. Under the concept proposal, these units would be deed restricted to the local workforce, moderate-income households, or low-income households. On August 26, the Board of Supervisors and public provided valuable feedback and guidance. Our team is continuing to refine the program, and plan to present a set of guidelines to the Boardlater this year.
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Workforce Housing Preservation Program: Since its launch in 2021, WHPP has acquired nine deed restrictions (with another closing soon), creating opportunities for local workers to own homes in eastern Placer County and secure homes for the future. Funded through fiscal year 2025-26, this program is a step in the right direction. Expanding this effort is vital to ensure homeownership attainability is an option for local workers.
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East Placer Lease to Locals Program: This program has successfully housed 61 workers and 31 children by incentivizing homeowners to lease their properties that were not previously rented long-term, to local workers. In fact, 76% of properties have extended leases beyond their first year, demonstrating the program's effectiveness. This initiative and the creation of new rental opportunities is critical to keep pace with housing needs.
Looking ahead, we are creating a comprehensive Housing Action Plan that will guide our efforts over the next five years. This plan is vital for creating a cohesive strategy that brings together resources, regional partnerships, and funding to meet the housing demands of our community. Our goal is to ensure all residents have access to quality, affordable housing.
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Regional partnerships are instrumental. We continue to collaborate with organizations like the Truckee Tahoe Workforce Housing Agency, North Tahoe Community Alliance, Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation, Mountain Housing Council, and a newer non-profit, the Tahoe Housing Hub and its ADU Accelerator Program.
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Together, we must accelerate our efforts to meet the urgent housing needs of our community. In the spirit of collaboration, I invite you to join us Thursday, Sept. 19 starting at 4 p.m. at Alibi Ale Works in Truckee for a joint housing mixer. Come out and learn about our regional programs to connect you to affordable housing throughout North Lake Tahoe and Truckee.
Thank you for your continued support and dedication to making Placer County a place where everyone can thrive.
— Nikki Streegan, Placer County Housing Manager
Units available for purchase at Hopkins Village
Hopkins Village, the for-sale housing development located in Martis Valley, has multiple units for sale for local workers in the Tahoe-Truckee Unified School District boundary. The development consists of 40 units (20 half-plexes) offered at a sale price of $615,000 to the local workforce and at market rate to local employers. TAKE VIDEO TOUR
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WHPP helps local workers find homes
Placer County's Workforce Housing Preservation Program has helped Eastern Placer residents and local workers, like DJ and Lichelle Ewan, afford home ownership in North Lake Tahoe by providing up to $150,000. The money is not a loan and does not need to be paid back. WATCH VIDEO
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Trails in eastern Placer County play a pivotal role in alternative transportation, active lifestyles and community connections. The Placer County Board of Supervisors reiterated this fact Tuesday at their meeting in North Lake Tahoe as they unanimously approved funding for three trail-related items.
Over $1.7 million of Transient Occupancy Tax funds was approved at that meeting to begin a North Tahoe regional trails system strategic and fiscal analysis, reconstruct and extend the Pam Emmerich Memorial Pinedrop Trail and help complete 2.52 miles of the North Tahoe Trail from Tahoe Vista to Carnelian Bay. READ MORE
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A new TART systems study and plan, which was last updated in 2016, has been approved to evaluate all transit operations, costs, revenues and new services or projects in the region.
“This analysis will look at our routing, operating hours, seasonal service fluctuations and efficiencies between TART’s fixed routes, para-transit, as well as our micro-transit service,” said Public Works Manager Jaime Wright. “Staffing levels also continue to be a challenge for us here, so this study will analyze and recommend adjustments to compensation, policy and more to help us increase staff retention and entice more drivers to join us.” READ MORE
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At its meeting in Kings Beach last week, the Placer County Planning Commission voted to recommend to the Board of Supervisors approval of the Village at Palisades Tahoe Specific Plan project entitlements and to certify the project’s environmental impact report.
The Village at Palisades Tahoe Specific Plan proposes an 85-acre resort village located in northeastern Placer County to redevelop the existing ski resort base area at the west end of Olympic Valley.
At the meeting, Alterra Mountain Company, owner and developer of Palisades Tahoe, proposed revising the Specific Plan’s allowed uses. READ MORE
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In an effort to reduce wildfire risk in North Lake Tahoe, the Placer County Board of Supervisors approved a $145,491 award to Bella Wildfire & Forestry Inc. to fund vegetation management and fuel load reduction work on 18 acres in Tahoe Vista.
“Just as homeowners are required to take care of their properties by complying with the state’s defensible space regulations, the county is also doing the right thing and this award is part of that effort,” said Director of Agriculture, Parks and Natural Resources Josh Huntsinger. "By treating our properties, we’re doing our part to keep our communities safe from wildfires.” READ MORE
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OTHER NEWS
UPCOMING EVENTS
- Hops & Homes event, Sept. 19
- Tahoe City Oktoberfest, Sept. 21
- Placer County Board of Supervisors meeting, Sept. 24
- Placer County Planning Commission meeting, Sept. 26
- Olympic Valley Municipal Advisory Council meeting, Oct. 3
- Lake Tahoe documentary film festival, Oct. 4
- Placer County Board of Supervisors meeting, Oct. 8
- North Tahoe Regional Advisory Council meeting, Oct. 10
- Placer County Planning Commission meeting, Oct. 10
- Tahoe Literary Festival, Oct. 11-12
- Made in Tahoe festival at Palisades Tahoe, Oct. 12-13
- Tahoe Music Alive, Oct. 13
Find more recurring events happening in North Lake Tahoe here: Tahoe City Farmer's Market, First Fridays Summer Markets at Boatworks
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