Corazón Healdsburg’s support for Measure O

At the heart of our work lies a fundamental truth: safe and stable housing is the foundation upon which individuals, families and communities thrive. Yet with the Healdsburg median home price over $1 million, this vital base is simply out of reach for so many in our community.

Measure O is a proposed initiative designed to address the pressing housing needs of our community, aiming to create more opportunities for housing access, particularly for middle-class and workforce housing. For those of us who grew up in Healdsburg and are now building careers and families while struggling to find affordable housing options, this access is badly needed. Currently, 85% of people working in Healdsburg commute from elsewhere due to high housing costs.

Measure O seeks to create more possibilities for long-time community members to stay and thrive in the place they call home, while also opening doors for others who work and contribute to our town. If passed, it would exempt multi-family housing from the Growth Management Ordinance along certain portions of the Healdsburg Avenue corridor, covering less than 15% of our community. Simply put, Measure O will lift limits on the number of homes that can be built for multifamily projects along key areas in town, specifically along Healdsburg Ave. and around the future SMART station.

By encouraging the development of multi-family units, Measure O aims to fill a gap in the current housing market, providing more options for essential workers, young families, and the next generation of Healdsburg residents. This is an important step towards a broad spectrum of housing options that meet the needs of all our neighbors. With more housing opportunities, more individuals will be able to live where they work, strengthening the fabric of our community.

One of the key benefits of Measure O is its ability to promote a range of housing options within our community. For every five market-rate units built, one affordable unit will be created. This approach helps maintain a balanced community and ensures that residents of varying income levels can thrive in Healdsburg.

Measure O is an important step towards addressing our community's housing crisis. It opens up new possibilities for the diverse spectrum of affordable and middle-income housing our community desperately needs. Measure O can help transform Healdsburg into a place where our neighbors of all backgrounds have the opportunity to put down roots and build their futures.

You can read the exact language of the proposed Measure O here.