Portola Valley may join 'affordable housing' effort Portola Valley may join 'affordable housing' effort (February 25, 2004)

By David Boyce

Almanac Staff Writer

Portola Valley may join in a regional approach to tackling the unaffordable housing problem on the Peninsula.

At its Wednesday, February 25, meeting the Town Council will hear Rich Gordon, a member of the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors, explain a collaborative effort that allows for "resource sharing" across city boundaries.

"Some cities could be bankers, and others could be builders," said Mr. Gordon, explaining one of the goals of the county's new Housing Endowment and Trust.

Ten of the county's 20 localities have become members of the trust, including Atherton, Menlo Park and East Palo Alto.

Assemblyman Gene Mullin, D-South San Francisco, has said he will introduce legislation allowing cities to meet their housing obligations with contributions to such a trust fund, Mr. Gordon said.

Current state law takes a city-by-city approach, requiring each local government to assess housing needs for low and moderate income levels.

The Portola Valley Town Council meeting starts at 8 p.m. in the Historic Schoolhouse at 765 Portola Road.

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