U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Office of Community Planning and Development


Consolidated Plan Contact

CITIZEN'S SUMMARY

The City of Carlsbad, California is approximately 42 square miles of beautiful coastal San Diego County. Known as the "Village by the Sea", Carlsbad has the charm of a quaint seaside community together with the contemporary feel and look of a progressive business environment.

Carlsbad offers a location strategically located between two of California's largest metropolitan areas, Los Angeles to the north and San Diego to the south. Progressive city government legislates a unique balance of public services and planning strategies to meet the current and future needs of its citizenry.

Carlsbad's 1995 Consolidated Plan is consistent with the City's commitment to ensure a quality of life which meets the needs of its citizens. This comprehensive five year strategy addresses the use of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds and other federal housing and community development funds for the purpose of meeting the goals of providing decent housing, a suitable living environment, and expanded economic opportunities.

Action Plan

In Fiscal Year (FY) 1995, Carlsbad will receive $647,000 in Community Development Block Grant Entitlement funds. In accordance to the Carlsbad's strategic vision for housing and community development these funds will be expended for various social services and affordable housing activities.

Citizen Participation

The City's Housing and Redevelopment Department is the lead agency for implementing the Consolidated Plan. To develop the Plan, the City was provided assistance from the San Diego Association of Governments. Many social service and homeless service providers were contacted to provide information about the agency, its clients and their needs, and the programs they provide.

On January 10, 1995 and April 4, 1995, the City held public hearings before the City Council to accept comments on the needs of low income residents and the projects submitted for funding consideration. Letters were also sent community organizations and affected individuals to encourage their participation in the development of the Consolidated Plan and selection of projects for funding. Notices were also published in a local newspaper to solicit public participation.


COMMUNITY PROFILE

The City of Carlsbad is a coastal community located in North San Diego County. According to the 1990 U.S. Census, Carlsbad's population was 63,126, up 68 percent from 1980. Whites comprise 89 percent of the population, Hispanics comprise 7 percent, Asian & Pacific Islanders comprise 3 percent, and Blacks and Native Americans comprise approximately 1 percent each of the population.

Median family income (MFI) for Carlsbad in 1990 was $51,019. The majority (69 percent) of Carlsbad households are upper income, with incomes exceeding 95 percent of the MFI. Twelve percent of the households are very low income (0 to 50 percent of MFI), 12 percent are low income (51 to 80 percent of MFI), and 7 percent are moderate income (81 to 95 percent of MFI). Hispanics and Native Americans were disproportionately represented in the lower income category (0 to 80 percent of MFI). As would be expected, only 6.8 percent of the City's population had incomes below the poverty threshold, $12,674 for a family of four.

Concentrations of lower income households are contained within only 2 of the City's 17 census tracts, Census Tract 179.00 and 180.00. Census tract 179.00, also referred to as the "Barrio" community, not only has a concentration of lower income households but also contains a concentration of minorities, predominately Hispanic.

Of the 24,995 occupied dwelling units in the City, 62 percent are owner occupied and 38 percent renter occupied. Nearly 40 percent of the renter households are of lower income while only 15 percent of homeowners are lower income.


HOUSING AND COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT NEEDS

Conditions

Carlsbad's desirable physical assets, such as an attractive climate, proximity to large urban cities and coastal location, growth in employment, and managed city growth has attracted both residents and businesses. Carlsbad's location and abundance of undeveloped commercial and industrial acreages has brought about a conducive environment for business in the community. Major employment centers continue to be in the regional shopping Center (Plaza Camino Real) and the office industrial corridor that surround the Palomar-McClellan Airport.

Careful planning of the city by its government has been the key to the preservation of a safe and prosperous environment. The City's adherence to a growth management plan has effectively managed the residential and commercial growth and ensuring the development of a well balanced community. The City's adherence to a growth management plan and its coastal location has also been a contributor to the lack of affordable housing within the community.

Housing Needs

The vast majority of lower income households are experiencing some type of housing problem, typically paying more than 30 percent of their income for housing costs. For larger households, they face circumstances of overcrowding in the dwelling unit. Seventy-seven percent of very low income renters and 67 percent of very low income homeowners are facing some type of housing problem. Of the low income renters 89 percent have a housing problem. However, low income homeowners are in relatively better circumstances with 42 percent experiencing housing problems. Of moderate income households, 55 percent of renters and 51 percent of homeowners have housing problems.

Housing Market Conditions

According to the 1990 U.S. Census, there are a total of 27,235 dwelling units, of which 92 percent are occupied and 8 percent are vacant. Of the 24,995 occupied units, 9,437 dwelling units (38 percent) are renter occupied. The remainder, 15,558 dwelling units (62 percent), are owner occupied units.

Since 1980, residential construction has been dominated by "move-up" and luxury single family homes. According to the 1990 U.S. Census data, the median value of owner occupied housing in Carlsbad is $255,869. The median value of owner occupied housing for San Diego County is $186,700.

According to a April 1995 survey conducted by Market Profiles of San Diego, of the attached single family homes offered for sale for the first quarter of 1995, the weighted average price ranged from $192,154 for a 2 bedroom attached unit and $200,535 for a 3 bedroom attached unit. The weighted average price for these attached units were much higher than the prices for the total San Diego County market region, $134,601 for a 2 bedroom attached unit and $171,478 for a 3 bedroom attached unit.

The information from this survey shows that the weighted average prices are beyond the affordable purchase price for lower and moderate-income households. The attached product was much more affordable than the detached product available but were also smaller in size based upon number of bedrooms.

The 1990 U.S. Census data also shows the median contract rent for renter occupied units in Carlsbad as $711. For San Diego County, the median contract rent is $564. According to a March 1995 survey of 1,977 units in Carlsbad conducted by Market Profiles of San Diego, the weighted average rents range from $481 for a studio unit to $896 for a three bedroom unit. The vacancy factor for the total units surveyed in Carlsbad was 4 percent. For the San Diego County market region, the weighted average rents range from $518 for a studio to $826 for a three bedroom unit, with a vacancy factor of 5 percent.

The age of the City's housing supply is an important indicator of the condition of the City's housing. Regionwide, 7 percent of the total housing stock was built before 1940. While in Carlsbad, approximately 1 percent was built prior to 1940. Over 56 percent of all housing has been built since 1980.

Affordable Housing Needs

Much of the single family housing built in the last few years is beyond the price range of lower income households. Multifamily housing construction within the last few years has been virtually non existent. Affordable housing opportunities for lower income persons in Carlsbad has been limited and many lower income households are paying more than 30 percent of their income for housing costs.

Households with incomes at or below 50 percent of MFI have the greatest housing cost burden. Of the very low-income renter households, 83 percent of the households are facing a cost burden of paying more than 30 percent of their income towards housing rents. A great majority of those households facing a housing cost burden, 84 percent, are actually facing a severe cost burden of paying more than 50 percent of their income towards housing costs. It is this population that has a difficult time obtaining and maintaining affordable housing because of their lack of financial resources and the small supply of housing that is affordable to this income group.

Of the total very low-income owner households, 64 percent of these households pay more than 30 percent of their income for housing costs. Of those paying more than 30 percent, 74 percent of those households are paying more than 50 percent of their income towards housing costs.

The majority of low-income households, 60 percent (1,779 households), are renters. Of the low-income renter households, 77 percent are paying more than 30 percent of their income towards housing rents. Of those low-income households suffering from a housing cost burden, 43 percent are facing a severe housing cost burden.

Of all low-income households, approximately 40 percent (1,165 households) of low-income households are residing in a dwelling unit that they own. Housing cost burdens affects 41 percent of these households. For those households experiencing some housing cost burden, 50 percent are actually facing a severe housing cost burden.

Homeless Needs

The 1990 U.S. Census data collected from the Shelter and Street Enumeration on the homeless in the City of Carlsbad shows a total count of 941 homeless persons. This information does not represent a complete count of the total homeless population.

The Regional Task Force on the Homeless suggests that nearly all of those homeless persons estimated in Carlsbad from the 1990 Census may be farm workers or day laborers and very few urban homeless have been sighted in Carlsbad. Due to a rural homeless population in Carlsbad, with a predominance of farm workers and day laborers, the prevalence of homeless persons who are severely mentally ill only, alcohol/other drug addicted only, severely mentally ill and alcohol/other drug addicted, fleeing domestic violence, homeless youth, or diagnosed with AIDS and related diseases is not as significant as its prevalence in the urban homeless population.

There is currently no available information of the number of homeless families in Carlsbad. However, since it is suggested that in Carlsbad nearly all of those homeless may be farm workers or day laborers living alone, it is assumed that families comprise a relatively small percentage of the total homeless population.

The facility and service needs of homeless families and individuals are many and varied. These needs include emergency shelter, transitional housing, social services (i.e., job counseling/training), mental health services and general health services. Existing service agencies indicate that a growing need exists for limited-term shelter or transitional facilities for homeless individuals and families.

Public and Assisted Housing Needs

The City of Carlsbad does not own or operate any public housing units. However, the City of Carlsbad does provide tenant-based rental assistance through the Section 8 Rental Assistance program. Carlsbad has a total of 503 Section 8 certificates/vouchers. The length of the City's waiting list for the Section 8 rental vouchers/certificates program is approximately three to five years long. The City Housing Authority estimates that of the 1,656 very low-income households currently on the waiting list, 67 percent meet Federal preferences for priority admission to the rental assistance program.

Service providers for special needs population indicated the following needs, in addition to affordable housing:

Barriers to Affordable Housing

Potential constraints on the maintenance, improvement, or development of housing is discussed in two contexts: governmental and non-governmental. Governmental constraints include Article 34 of the California Constitution, land use controls, building codes, site improvements, development fees, and processing and permit procedures. These constraints can be mitigated by the City through a variety of means, including: designation of large amounts of land for all types of residential development, particularly high density residential development, waiving or subsidizing development fees for affordable housing, modifying design standards and expeditive permit processing.

Non-governmental constraints include land costs, construction costs, and financing. All three of these costs tend to be determined at the regional, state and national levels by a variety of private and public actors. Local jurisdictions, therefore, often have little influence or control over these cost constraints.

Fair Housing

The City has agreed to affirmatively encourage fair housing practices.

Lead-Based Paint

In the City of Carlsbad, there are a total of 12,729 dwelling units built prior to 1980 and may contain lead based paint hazards. It is estimated that 1,770 of the total 12,729 dwelling units (14 percent) are occupied by lower-income households. The greater the percentage of such housing being occupied by lower-income households, the greater possibility of lead-based paint hazards. The financial conditions of lower-income households, particularly very low-income households, are barriers to maintaining the housing in decent condition. The result is often deteriorated housing and greater lead-based paint hazards.

Approximately, 85 percent of the units estimated are renter occupied and 15 percent are owner occupied. Communities with a large percentage of the estimated dwelling units being rented, such as Carlsbad, have a higher rate of lead poisoning than similar communities with a larger percentage of owner occupied units.

Community Development Needs

Most of the Carlsbad developed since the 1970's. As of 1993, a little over half of the City had been developed. Another quarter of the City is in various stages of planning, therefore setting the stage for additional near- and mid-term development.

Keeping in mind the slow growth of the City and the vision to provide a balanced variety of land uses and to preserve the quality of life of its residents, Carlsbad embarked upon a successful Growth Management Program. Since 1986 Carlsbad has been a "growth management" city in which the major public facilities are being carefully planned, financed, and their capacities sized to serve a targeted ultimate population and number of residential units.

"The Growth Management Plan established citywide, quadrant, and Local Facilities Management Zones performance standards for eleven public facilities. The program requires that the appropriate public facilities must be available in conformance with the adopted performance standards in an area when new development occurs. Unless each of these eleven public facility standards have been complied with, no new development can occur." City of Carlsbad General Plan: Land Use Element. September 6, 1994.

In addition to the implementation of a Growth Management Program and individual Local Facilities Management Plans, Carlsbad has undertaken planning tasks ranging from the implementation of specific and master plan guidelines to the development of broad visions of the City's physical and regional economic development. Such planning tasks include the Redevelopment Master Plan, the Barrio Community Design and Land Use Plan, and the Economic Development Strategic Plan.

As addressed within these various other community development plans, Carlsbad's needs include: improvements to infrastructure and public facilities and provision of public services for the elderly, homeless, youths, unemployed, undereducated, persons with disabilities, and other lower-income persons.


HOUSING AND COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY

Vision for Change

The purpose of Carlsbad's Consolidated Plan is to achieve three basic goals for its citizenry:

Housing and Community Development Objectives and Priorities

Although specific subgroups (large families, elderly, or persons with special needs) may have problems that are unique to their population, housing problems in Carlsbad are primarily related to the lack of housing affordable to lower income households, particularly larger dwelling units, and meeting Carlsbad's regional fair share objective of providing 1,125 units of new affordable housing. Housing priorities and strategies reflect those conditions.

Housing objectives focus on reducing the housing cost burdens of lower income households by increasing the supply of affordable housing, particularly for very low income households and large families. Second priority would be the acquisition and rehabilitation, if necessary, of existing housing. As a short term objective, Carlsbad will also provide rental assistance. Rental assistance is an effective resource for addressing the housing cost burden experienced by lower income households.

Priorities for the homeless include limited-term shelter, transitional, and permanent housing with supportive services.

The priority for non-homeless persons with special needs is permanent stable housing with supportive services meet by social service agencies and other private organizations.

Community development objectives are focused on the development of Carlsbad as a carefully planned, balanced community that will provide its citizens with a full range of physical facilities and human services ensuring a life of quality for all residents.

Anti-Poverty Strategy

The City does not directly control any programs or policies for reducing the number of households with incomes below the poverty line. However, the City does encourage policies and programs that may indirectly affect the number of households with incomes below the poverty.

As will be established within the proposed Economic Development Strategic Plan, the City will pursue policies and programs that encourage the development of the commercial and industrial land in the City and encourage the location of businesses to Carlsbad.

The City has provided in the past CDBG funds to organizations providing employment services and training to lower-income persons and to lower-income persons with special needs.

Producing and maintaining housing affordable to lower-income households will not directly elevate household income above the poverty line but will help to ease the burden of expenses on limited resources. To further coordinate the provision of affordable housing and a policy to help encourage self sufficiency and upward mobility, the City has established a Family Self-Sufficiency program under the Section 8 Rental Assistance Program.

Housing and Community Development Resources

The financial resources available to address housing and community development needs are fairly limited for Carlsbad. To ultimately reach the vision and goals of the City, a variety of resources must be used to achieve each objective. The limited City resources must be leveraged with additional funds from private and public sources and programs.

The primary federal program resources includes CDBG, HOME, HOPE, Section 8 Rental Assistance, and housing programs for the elderly, disabled and/or homeless. Local resources include Redevelopment Agency Housing Set-Aside Funds and Inclusionary Housing Impact and In-Lieu fees. Other private programs include local lending institutions' affordable housing programs and a wide range of non profit initiatives, such as Bank of America's Community Development Branch, Neighborhood Bancorp, and San Diego Community Foundation.

Coordination of Strategic Plan

The City of Carlsbad does not intend to be the primary provider of affordable housing, supportive housing, homeless shelters, or supportive services. The City of Carlsbad expects to carry out much of its strategy by encouraging public and private partnerships with private entities, non-profit organizations, or other public agencies assuming the role of primary provider of affordable housing or supportive services with some financial assistance from the City. However, the City will continue to implement housing assistance programs where the City has expertise or such programs have already been established, such as rental assistance.

All City departments work cooperatively to carry City goals and objectives. Carlsbad will continue to work with various San Diego County agencies and local non profit service providers to ensure that Carlsbad residents obtain available services.


ONE-YEAR ACTION PLAN

Description of Key Projects

Carlsbad's One Year Action Plan outlines the proposed use of $647,000 in CDBG funds. These funds will be spent on a variety of activities ranging from expanding affordable housing opportunities, general social services, and social services benefitting youths and adults. The following are some of Carlsbad's key projects for Fiscal Year 1995:

  1. Carlsbad Care Crew will receive $7,000 to provide home improvement and personal assistance to low-income Carlsbad seniors to promote independent living. (100% presumed low/moderate income benefit)
    Administrative Office Location: 2775 Carlsbad Boulevard, Carlsbad

  2. Catholic Charities will receive $10,000 for operation of the La Posada de Guadalupe homeless shelter in Carlsbad for homeless males, particularly farm workers and day laborers. (100% presumed low/moderate income benefit)
    Shelter Location: 2472-2476 Impala Drive, Carlsbad

  3. Community Resource Center will receive $5,000 to continue the Carlsbad Residents Homeless Prevention Project which assists families and individuals in maintaining adequate housing through the provision of social services and providing direct assistance such as food. (100% low/moderate income benefit)
    Administrative Office Location: 3138 Roosevelt Street, Suite H, Carlsbad

  4. Boys & Girls Club of Carlsbad will receive $10,000 to provide a gang prevention program, which provides positive alternatives, focused on young people between the ages of 13 and 16. (51% minimum low/moderate income benefit)
    Activity Location: 3115 Roosevelt Street, Carlsbad

  5. Carlsbad Hiring Center will receive $5,250 to provide a central location for both potential employers and employees to coordinate employment needs. (51% minimum low/moderate income benefit)
    Activity Location: 5958 El Camino Real, Carlsbad

  6. Western Institute Foundation for Mental Health will receive $35,000 to support the purchase and renovation of property for a new location for the Oceanside Alzheimer's Day Care Center. (100% presumed low/moderate income benefit)
    Administrative Office Location: 119 South Ditmar Street, Oceanside

  7. Join Hands Save a Life will receive $32,000 in reallocated 1993-94 CDBG funds from the Alzheimer's Day Care Center to support the purchase of property for the development of the Join Hands facility. (51% minimum low/moderate income benefit)
    Administrative Location: 3528 Madison, Carlsbad

  8. Catholic Charities will receive $12,000 from the new CDBG allocation and $18,000 in reallocated 1993-94 CDBG funds from the Alzheimer's Day Care Center to support the purchase of a trailer and renovations to the existing trailers which comprise the La Posada de Guadalupe homeless shelter in Carlsbad for homeless males, particularly farm workers and day laborers. (100% presumed low/moderate income benefit)
    Shelter Location: 2472-2476 Impala Drive, Carlsbad

  9. City of Carlsbad will receive $20,000 to replace and upgrade backstop, fencing and bleachers at the Pine Field facility. (59% low/moderate income benefit)
    Administrative Office Location: 1200 Carlsbad Village Drive, Carlsbad.

  10. Join Hands Save a Life will receive $74,000 to assist with the costs of relocating and installing buildings on the new site for their youth activity center. (51% minimum low/moderate income benefit)
    Administrative Location: 3528 Madison, Carlsbad

  11. Carlsbad Girls Club will receive $75,500 to support the development of a patio and other outdoor recreation area. (51% minimum low and moderate income benefit)
    Project Location: 3368 Eureka Place, Carlsbad

  12. Boys and Girls Club of Carlsbad will receive $53,872.79 from the new CDBG allocation and $19,847.84 from reallocated 1993-94 CDBG funds for the Carlsbad High School Stadium Lighting System to renovate and/or expand the Boys and Girls Club Village Branch facility in Carlsbad. (51% minimum low/moderate income benefit)
    Project Location: 3115 Roosevelt Street, Carlsbad
The City will provide funding to organizations or agencies which provide services or benefit Carlsbad residents, regardless of location. Carlsbad will consider the allocation of resources to organizations or agencies outside of the City limits where services are limited to the San Diego North County Coastal area but provide adequate access or where services are provided directly to Carlsbad residents.

Lead Agencies

The City of Carlsbad implements the Consolidated Plan and its one year action plan. As the grantee, the Housing and Redevelopment Department of the City of Carlsbad is directly responsible for the implementation and administration of the various projects funded for the implementation of the Consolidated Plan. City Council is the governing body that makes the funding decisions for programs. City Council's primary advisory boards include: an ad-hoc citizen's CDBG Funding Committee and the Housing Commission for HOME funds.

Housing Goals

Through Carlsbad's Section 8 Rental Assistance Program, 503 very low income renters will continue to receive rental assistance. The supply of affordable rental housing will increase with the completion of the 344 unit Villa Loma Affordable Housing Project. Villa Loma will offer affordable housing to low and very low income households. Additionally, the 138 unit Laurel Tree Apartments will receive all local discretionary permit approvals in FY 1995, with construction to commence in FY 1996. Four lower income homeowners will receive rehabilitation loans/grants. Approximately 7 moderate-income households and 4 low income households will receive assistance to purchase a home through the City's Mortgage Credit Certificate Program. Approximately 2,110 individuals and families are anticipated to benefit from the activities, projects and shelter services which received CDBG funds for FY 1995.

Maps

MAP 1 depicts points of interest in the jurisdiction.

MAP 2 depicts points of interest and low-moderate income areas.

MAP 3 depicts points of interest, low-moderate income areas, and minority concentration levels.

MAP 4 depicts points of interest, low-moderate income areas, and unemployment levels.

MAP 5 depicts points of interest, low-moderate income areas, unemployment levels, and proposed HUD funded projects.

MAP 6 depicts points of interest, low-moderate income areas, unemployment levels, and proposed HUD funded projects; in addition, a table provides information about the project(s).

To comment on Carlsbad's Consolidated Plan, please contact:
City of Carlsbad
Housing and Redevelopment Department
ATTN CDBG Coordinator
2965 Roosevelt Street Suite B
Carlsbad CA 92008
(619) 434-2811
Return to California's Consolidated Plans.