California state law requires every county and city to adopt a general plan that covers seven topics or "elements." Those mandatory elements are land use, circulation, housing, conservation, open space, noise, and safety. The general plan serves as a blueprint for community growth and change. The plan contains goals, objectives, policies, and programs to guide decisions by County government about private land development and providing public services and facilities. As social, economic, and environmental conditions change over time, it is important that the general plan be periodically revised to effectively address both current conditions and evolving community expectations about the future.

Preparation of this housing element was initiated as part of an update of the entire Butte County General Plan. Because of its comprehensive scope, the entire general plan revision is not expected to be completed until late 1993. State law, however, requires that the housing element be updated by July 1, 1992. In order to meet that deadline, the housing element has been placed on a faster track for completion ahead of the other general plan components. It is possible that the housing element will need to be further revised based on the work done on the other elements during the next year.
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Housing Element Requirements

State law is more specific about the content of housing elements than any other portion of the general plan. The housing element is also the only part of the general plan that is subject to mandatory deadlines for periodic updates. It is the only element that is actually subject to review and 'certification' by the state.

This housing element includes all of the following information as required by state law:

A summary of the past housing efforts and an analysis of reasons for their success or failure.

Information about the existing housing stock. covering such items as the amount, type. cost. tenure. and structural conditions of the units. Other areas of concern include overcrowding and the needs of special subgroups of the population such as handicapped citizens, the elderly. homeless persons or single parent households.

An analysis of potential barriers to housing production including various governmental constraints as well as non-governmental ones.

Information about opportunities for improving energy conservation when rehabilitating existing housing and constructing new housing.

Information about existing subsidized housing and the possibility of its being lost due to conversion to market-rate units.

Specific goals. measurable objectives. policies and implementation measures. Objectives must include targets for housing unit production. based on a "fair share allocation".

The "fair share allocation" assigns a specific number of units in different price ranges to all the local jurisdictions in the State. The California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) generates estimates of the statewide need for housing. This is then broken down into regions. In each region, the area council of governments (in Butte County's case, the Butte County Association of Governments) prepares a more specific regional distribution of the needs to the local counties and cities.

Fair Share Allocation: Overall Production Objective

The Butte County Association of Government (BCAG) has calculated - based on number provided by the State - that the unincorporated area of Butte County should accommodate 5,131 new housing units between January 1991 and July 1997. This represents about 790 dwelling units per year - approximately a 1.7 percent annual growth rate, after accounting for vacancies and replacement dwelling units.

Between 1987 and 1991, the County approved 3,915 dwelling units, or 783 units per year on the average. The range of dwelling units approved per year was 612 in 1991 and 863 in 1988. Based on the number of building permits approved during the first seven months of 1992, the number of dwelling units approved by permit in 1992 will probably be about the same as in 1991. In addition, approximately 500 mobilehomes were located in the unincorporated county area in 1990 and 1991.

An objective of 790 dwelling units per year is not unrealistic in light of the unincorporated area building and mobilehome location history over the past five years. Unless the housing market recovers in 1993 from its current recession, however, it is doubtful that this objective can be met, particularly for lower-income households who rely primarily on mobilehomes and multifamily rental housing to meet their needs. The County can certainly create the regulatory conditions to accommodate the objective of 5,131 additional dwelling units between 1991 and 1997. Unless households have the income and the confidence to purchase or rent new housing, however, and unless infrastructure problems can be resolved, home builders and mobilehome manufacturers will not be able to provide the amount of housing projected in the BCAG Regional Housing Allocation Plan

Thus, the overall production objective called for in the BCAG plan suggests that the County needs to examine policies and programs that can increase the amount of land capable of accommodating housing in excess of six dwelling units per acre, and in particular in excess of 12 dwelling units per acre, to allow the housing market to provide needed low- and moderate-income housing. There are two issues involved in the determining the physical capacity of land to accommodate higher densities: 1) environmental issues (for example, slopes, environmentally sensitive habitats, and flooding and drainage patterns); and 2) the availability and capacity of infrastructure (roads, sewers, water delivery, etc.). The County will need to address these two aspects of land capacity in determining whether or not enough land can realistically be designated and developed at densities that are affordable to low- and moderate-income households.

Fair Share Allocation: Affordability Breakdown

The BCAG Regional Housing Allocation Plan also distributes the total housing production goal among several cost categories: units affordable to households of "very low" income, to "low" income, to "moderate" income, and to "above moderate" income households. Median incomes for the county are estimated by HCD and vary with household size. In 1992, the median household income for a family of four was $31,500. Most governmental programs and private lending criteria assume that households should not spend more than approximately 30 percent of their income for housing expenses (rent or mortgage plus utilities, property taxes, and homeowner's insurance). The amount that a particular household can afford to spend on housing depends on the individual circumstances of that household. In general, one can reasonably assume that most lower-income households could not afford to spend much more than 30 percent of their income for housing without seriously affecting their ability to meet necessary food, clothing, transportation, and medical expenses. Moderate income households could probably afford to devote between 30 and 40 percent of their pre-tax income to housing expenses without seriously compromising their ability to meet other necessary expenses. For consistency in comparing housing costs in relation to income among the income groups, however, this report uses 30 percent of income-to-housing-expenses as the standard of affordability for all income groups.

The following table shows the percentage of median household income for each income classification; the actual range for Butte County given the 1992 median household income; the acceptable monthly housing expenditure for each classification, assuming a 30 percent income-to-housing ratio; and the fair share allocation by income group for Butte County according to BCAG:

t	Very Low	Other Low	Moderate	Above Moderate	Total
Percentage of Median Income	0 to 50	51 to 80	81 to 120	Above 120	t
Household Income Range	Up to $15,700	$15,751-$25,200	$25,201-37,800	Over $37,801	t
Monthly Expenditure Range	Up to $394	$395-$630	$631-$945	Over $946	t
Unit Production Goal	1,702	970	970	1,489	5,131

Needs, Resources, and Accomplishments

Historically, Butte County has been successful in accommodating its share of the region's housing needs based on the total number of dwelling units constructed in unincorporated communities. Because most of these communities lack basic public facilities, however, development in the county has been overwhelmingly in the form of single family subdivisions at four dwelling units per acre or less. Few, if any, of these homes are affordable to low-income households. The County has adopted various regulatory incentives to encourage the production of lower-cost housing, but without the basic infrastructure to support higher residential densities, these incentives cannot be used.

The County has attempted to make use of several state and federal funding programs to assist low-income households, primarily for housing rehabilitation, neighborhood improvements, street repairs, and sewer connections for existing developments. The County has not, however, had the staff or financial resources to effectively use state/federal programs and local strategies to assist the development community in producing housing affordable to low-income households. As a consequence, little affordable housing that has been constructed in the unincorporated area, and most of these units are scattered throughout the county (mobilehomes on single family lots and second dwelling units, primarily). Any higher density developments adjacent to Chico or Oroville and requiring urban water and sewer services have typically been annexed to those cities. The County cannot claim credit for past performance for annexed dwelling units, however.

Because of the persistent slump in the construction industry, which is expected to last through 1993, it is uncertain if the County's share of all dwelling units between 1991 and 1997 can be met, but the economic recession is beyond the County's control.

A comparison of the 1980 and 1990 Census reports and other information reveals several measures of housing needs which have increased:

The number large families in Butte County has increased.

Overcrowding and overpayment for housing have increased in both absolute and relative terms.

A larger percentage of the County's heads of household are single mothers, who have the highest incidence of poverty of any households group.

The number of elderly persons has increased, and although most are financially and physically independent at the time they move to Butte County, as older residents age, their physical and financial needs change.

There is likely a need for a homeless shelter and transitional housing in the unincorporated area, but the magnitude of the need is unknown, since none of the shelter providers could provide precise numbers of clients from unincorporated communities within the County. Logic would dictate that if a homeless facility or transitional housing were constructed in the unincorporated area, it should be located within the Chico or Oroville urban area.

The need for housing for farm worker families is greater than the present supply operated by the Housing Authority.

As explained in Chapter 3, Butte County has been successful in designating land to accommodate its share of the region's growth, in obtaining and using funds to rehabilitate and conserve the existing housing stock, and in obtaining funds for rental subsidies. Where the County has been lacking, primarily, is in its ability to access governmental programs to stimulate the construction of low-income housing and in encouraging developers to take advantage of local regulatory incentives for such housing. The policies and programs proposed below seek to continue those successful programs, therefore, and to focus on new programs that can provide housing for the large low-income families, single mothers, elderly households, farm worker families, and other special needs groups.

Because the County's low-income housing construction need is so large in relation to the availability of financial resources and infrastructure, the County will not be able to meet 100% of the low-income housing needs with the programs described below. Even though the County has committed in this Element to pursue long-term solutions to the lack of public facilities and services, these solutions will not have much impact on the County's ability to meet its low-income housing needs during the next five years. The most effective strategy during this short-term period is to make use of available development capacity within existing urban areas, encourage individual initiatives to provide affordable housing within the existing housing stock (second units), continue to allow mobilehomes on single family lots, and work with developers who have the capacity to construct large-scale developments with the potential to include a range of housing types and costs.
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Consistency with Other General Plan Elements

The primary policy relationship between the Housing Element and the rest of the General Plan lies in the sufficiency of Land Use Element categories to accommodate the full range of housing needs and in the sufficiency of the Public Facilities Element to identify solutions to the lack of infrastructure in most unincorporated communities. Only those areas deemed suitable for residential development have been so designated in the Land Use Element, so there are no conflicts between resource conservation, noise, safety, other policies in the General Plan which could affect the location of residential development. The programs included in this Chapter address the relationship between housing need, adequate sites at sufficient densities to accommodate the County's share of the county-wide housing need, and public facilities and services that must be available to allow higher density development.

The Housing Element was prepared in conjunction with the revision of the other General Plan elements, although on a somewhat accelerated schedule to meet statutory deadlines. The discussion of constraints to housing development relies heavily on the environmental and public facilities information compiled for the General Plan Background Report. Because the General Plan is undergoing a simultaneous update of all its elements, adjustments can be made to the other General Plan Elements before they are adopted to ensure consistency with the Housing Element.

Public Participation

The revision of the Housing Element has proceeded in conjunction with overall revision of the County's General Plan. The public participation process established for the plan has included the periodic distribution of a General Plan Update Newsletter to county residents, "townhall" meetings in several locations throughout the County, meetings before the Board of Supervisors to update them on the progress of the General Plan revision, and public hearings before the Planning Commission and the Board of Supervisors. Community meetings were conducted in October of 1991 to explain the General Plan update process and to solicit early public input, and again in June 1992 to solicit public comment on important issues and program options. Community meetings were conducted in Gridley, Paradise, Oroville, and Chico. "Community Concern" surveys were distributed at the first round of meetings to obtain early public input on issues that should be addressed in the General Plan.

Public comment on the draft Housing Element was solicited through Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors hearings and through the environmental review process for the Element. Public hearings were conducted before the Planning Commission on December 10, 1992, and before the Board of Supervisors on January 12, 1993. Notices of these public meetings were published, distributed to interested community organizations representing special needs, minority, and low-income residents, and posted in governmental buildings.

County residents will also have opportunities to participate in the implementation of the Housing Element, so many of the implementation measures require the adoption of ordinances or other specific actions at Board of Supervisors meetings.

Through the measures described above, the County believes it has actively sought and pursued public participation and public comments on all phases of the Housing Element revision, and has attempted to include all segments of the community in its public participation process.
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Organization of the Housing Element

Following this introductory chapter, Chapter 2 sets forth all the goals, policies, programs, and objectives for housing in Butte County. The background information and analysis on which these were based follows in Chapter 3, which is the longest part of the element and covers all the data required by state law.

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CHAPTER 2
GOALS, POLICIES, AND QUANTIFIED OBJECTIVES

The following goals, policies, and implementation measures represents the County's five-year plan of action to meet its housing needs through 1997. Each proposed implementation program contains a description of the intended action, an explanation of the agency responsible for administering the program, possible sources of funding (if applicable), the timeframe during which the program would take effect, and anticipated results. Whenever possible, the anticipated results have been expressed in quantified terms. Many of the programs contained in the Element are continued from the County's 1984 Housing Element. Other programs are new to the 1992 Housing Element.

The County will endeavor to accomplish the following programs within its financial ability to do so, including the ability to use staff time not compensated by fees for program administration, and other financial limitations facing the County.

Affordable Housing Supply

GOAL A
To Provide for the County's Regional Share of New Housing for All Income Groups

Policies

A.1. The County will continue to adopt community plans, within the financial ability of the County to finance these plans, to enhance the County's ability to meet its regional share of housing.

A.2. The County will continue to annually monitor zoning to ensure that sufficient land is zoned at various densities to meet the County's regional share of housing.

A.3. Zoning for higher density residential development will emphasize development within or adjacent to existing urban areas in which public facilities and services can be extended, or within large, master planned developments which the have the financial capability of providing needed public facilities and services for higher density development.
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Programs

Provide Adequate Sites for Housing

As previously documented, there are approximately 28,000 acres of vacant land available in the unincorporated county zoned for residential use. About 67% of this land is zoned for large lot (2.5 acre minimum) residential use, while another 27% is zoned for single family residences or mobilehomes at six or fewer dwelling units per acre.

Most of the remaining vacant land in Butte County is designated for agricultural use (much of this land is in Williamson contracts), for timber production, or is located in state or national forests and parks. The supply of developable land with adequate infrastructure zoned for residential use in the County is a limiting constraint, especially for multifamily housing projects that could serve low-income households.

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Although annexation has accounted for a substantial portion of the County's share of low- and moderate-income housing in the past, Butte County recognizes that it cannot rely on the cities to provide for this segment of the housing market. To improve the capacity of vacant sites in the unincorporated area, the County will take the following actions:

a) Apply for available state and federal funding for water, sewer, and storm drainage improvements that would make low- and moderate-income housing feasible. As such funding is extremely limited, the County will have to evaluate methods of providing such needed facilities through private financing as well.

b) As part of a long-range plan for improving the development potential of residentially-zoned land, seek funding from the state for a planning grant to prepare a specific plan and facilities plan for the financing of needed facilities that would serve low-income housing.

c) Seek the financial assistance of developers in preparing community plans or specific plans which can address public service and facilities for new developments.

d) Seek to work out an appropriate financing arrangement with Chico and Oroville to charge reasonable fees on new development to pay for the expansion of water and sewer services within their spheres of influence.

e) Seek the cooperation of interested developers in establishing community facilities and community service districts to finance needed infrastructure and services where these are financially feasible.

f) Seek voter approval of assessment districts in communities in which planning studies conducted under 1a) identify feasible alternatives for water and wastewater systems.

Administration/Funding: Community Development Block Grant Program, Farmer's Home Administration, State Clean Water grants or loans, developer fees. Planning and Public Works department will be the lead agencies.

Timeframe: Planning/technical assistance grant applications and funding to be submitted in 1992, 1993, and 1994 if eligible activities can be identified. Financing arrangements with Chico and Oroville with appropriate developer fees to be negotiated between June and December of 1993. Seeking developer interest in preparing specific plans and establishing community facilities/service districts will be an ongoing process for larger developments. If planning studies identify feasible water and wastewater systems, seek voter approval of assessment districts at the general election in 1994 in unincorporated areas zoned, or which can be zoned for MDR and HDR use, and in which the feasibility of water and wastewater systems has been determined.

Expected Results: A plan showing the public facilities needs and providing for the financing of needed infrastructure.
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Community Plan and Zoning Consistency

The General Plan for the County is based on a number of community plans for specified unincorporated areas, and other portions of the County for which there are no community plans. These plans address land use and other issues reflected in the County's General Plan. Local zoning must be consistent with these plans. During the development and revision of these community plans, the County must ensure that local land use policies, and any changes in zoning to reflect those policies, are not only consistent with the community's development goals, but with the county-wide housing goals and the County's regional share of housing for all income groups. As part of the community planning process, the County will ensure that goals, policies, and implementation measures for community plans are consistent with county-wide housing goals and needs. In particular, the County will ensure that community plans reflect zoning densities necessary to accommodate low- and moderate-income housing consistent with environmental limitations and the ability of the County to provide infrastructure of higher urban densities.

Administration/Funding: The Development Services Department is the responsible agency for county planning and will implement this consistency review as part of its on-going planning responsibility. No additional staff time would be required.

Timeframe: January 1993 and ongoing.

Expected Results: Consistency of community plans with county-wide housing goals.
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Development of Sites for Multifamily Housing

The most critical needs in the unincorporated county area are affordable multifamily rental housing and large family housing, especially for low-income families.

Because there are a limited number of sites with suitable physical and environmental characteristics that can be provided with the necessary public facilities, the County must encourage the most productive use of these sites. Multifamily rental housing does not typically provide dwelling units for large families, so the County must also encourage ownership opportunities for families.

The County's primary strategy will be to encourage small-scale multifamily projects located in those unincorporated communities that are closest to employment and services.

By focusing on a number of small projects, the County can ensure that no one community receives a disproportionate share of the multifamily housing, while at the same time accommodating development within the limits of the available infrastructure.

To encourage multifamily projects, the County will offer density bonuses, help interested developers apply for government financing and/or other government subsidies, assist interested developers in acquiring surplus government land suitable for multifamily development, expedite permit processing, and waive fees for low-income dwelling units. These options are discussed more completely under Goal Two.

This strategy will be necessary over the five-year period covered by this housing element, because it is unlikely that any substantial improvement in infrastructure capacity can be achieved within that timeframe. Over a longer period of time, improvement in public facilities can be accomplished as discussed in Program One of Goal One.
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To locate potentially interested developers and nonprofit housing corporations, the County will seek the assistance of the local building industry association and nonprofit housing corporations active in the Sacramento Valley.

Administration/Funding: The Development Services Department will carry out this program as part of its on-going planning activities, using administrative funds from available state and federal programs whenever possible to pay for the costs of this activity.

Timeframe: Contact building industry and nonprofit representatives between January 1 and July 1, 1993. Attempt to identify interested for profit and/or nonprofit developers by December 1993. Identify state and federal programs which the County to use to help fund site selection, acquisition, and infrastructure by September 1993.

Expected Results: Development of 150 units of multifamily housing, of which 60% (90 units) would be affordable to very low-income households, and 40% (60 units) affordable to low-income households.

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Sites for Special Group Housing

There are a number of special population groups which the State has identified as in need of a residential living environment for their proper physical and mental fulfillment. These groups include mobility, developmentally, and mentally impaired individuals; elderly residents in need of 24-hour care; persons with mental illnesses; and individuals recovering from substance abuse.

Group homes of six or fewer individuals serving these and other special population groups will be allowed a residential use in any residential zone in the County. Group are best located within access to other social and medical services that mobility and developmentally disabled persons may require. Therefore, this program will likely focus on residential communities within the Chico and Oroville spheres of influence.

Administration/Funding: The Development Services Department will review applications for such homes as part of its development permit processing responsibility. No additional staff time would be required to implement this program.

Timeframe: January 1993 and ongoing.

Expected Results: No quantifiable estimate is available, as the number of individuals benefitted will depend on the level of demand for such facilities. In qualitative terms, a more enriched living environment will be provided to these special population groups.

Negotiate Transfer of A Portion of The County's Regional Share

State Housing Element Law provides a mechanism whereby jurisdictions may negotiate to transfer a portion of their share of a region's housing needs among neighboring communities within a county. This arrangement makes particular sense under circumstance in which land in a rural county is typically developed through annexation to an incorporated area which can provide urban services. Except in already urbanized unincorporated communities with services, or in unincorporated areas which are appropriate for the development of self-contained new communities, it makes little sense for a rural county to attempt to provide urban services among widely scattered communities, unless a proposed development can eventually be annexed to an existing urban community with those services.

Butte County finds itself in the position of having to accommodate a large share of the region's housing needs for low- and moderate-income households over a five-year period without practical tools to do so in the short term, except through cooperative agreements with the cities.

The County will attempt to reach agreements with the cities, therefore, to allow a reasonable transfer of the county's share of the region's housing needs where unincorporated areas can be served within existing spheres of influence. The basis of the negotiation will be the amount of unincorporated land that the cities could reasonable be expected to serve at higher densities through 1997.
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Administration/Funding: The Planning Department will recommend agreements to negotiate with the cities which would specify the number of dwelling units of need, by income group, proposed for transfer.

Timeframe: Present recommendation to Board of Supervisors by January 1994, conclude agreements with cities by January 1995.

Expected Results: Cannot be quantified at this time until Planning Department can develop specific recommendation to Board.

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GOAL B
Encourage the Provision of Affordable Housing

Policies

B.1. Establish affordable housing goals, to be negotiated, for large-scale developments which contain a mixture of residential densities.

B.2. The County will work with other public agencies, developers, and non-profit housing corporations to make use of state and federal programs for low- and moderate-income housing.

B.3. The County will also investigate the feasibility of issuing tax-exempt bonds or mortgage credit certificates to provide low-interest financing for affordable housing development, if requested by a developer eligible to use this form of financing.

B.4. The County will provide density bonuses to home builders proposing to include a minimum specified percentage of low- and moderate-income dwelling units within residential developments.

B.5. The County will cooperate with the Housing Authority to seek funding from the State of California and the U. S. Farmers Home Administration to expand the supply of housing for migrant farm workers.

B.6. The County will identify surplus government property which could be used for the construction of housing affordable to low- and moderate-income households.

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Programs
Density Bonuses

Density bonuses provide a developer with additional dwelling units in exchange for the provision of housing affordable to low- and moderate-income households. State law provides that if a developer proposes to include at least 20% of the dwelling units in a project at rents/prices that are affordable to low-income households or 10% of the dwelling units in a project at rents/prices that are affordable to very low-income households, the local jurisdiction must offer a 25% density bonus plus at least one other regulatory or financial incentive if needed to make the production of the low-income units financially feasible. State law also requires local government to offer a 25% density bonus to developers who propose to develop at least 50% of the dwelling units in a project for elderly residents.

The County presently has a density bonus ordinance in effect which complies with state law and will continue to implement this ordinance. In addition to continuing its present density bonus policy, the County will undertake the following actions:

Identify methods of obtaining greater interest by developers in using density bonuses in conjunction with affordable housing proposals,

Identify constraints that are preventing developers from using density bonuses, and

Prepare an amendment to the County's density bonus ordinance allowing density bonuses for single family housing in the LDR zone, if affordable to households earning between 80% and 100% of the Butte County median income, so long as such density bonuses do not discourage low-income housing proposals.

Administration/Funding: The Development Services Department will implement the provisions of this program as part of its planning and development permit processing responsibilities.

Timeframe: Report to the Planning Commission by September 1993 on methods of encouraging greater developer use of density bonuses, removing constraints to the use of density bonuses, and amendments to the current density bonus ordinance which would allow limited density bonuses for moderate-income housing.

Expected Results: Development of 60 very low-income dwelling units, 40 low-income dwelling units, and 50 moderate-income dwelling units.
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Affordable Housing Goals for Large-Scale Residential Development

Large-scale developments which include a range of residential categories have the potential to include affordable housing for low-income residents if infrastructure financing and financial incentives can be arranged. While there can be no precise threshold for the definition of "large-scale", these would typically be areas of a hundred acres or more developed under a specific plan, or some type of master plan, which includes a financing mechanism for infrastructure (such a community facilities district). While opportunities for such development are limited, the County can, through the General Plan, identify areas of the County where it believes such large-scale developments would be appropriate. The County cannot initiate development proposals for large-scale development, but it can certainly express its willingness, through its General Plan and zoning policies, to cooperate with one or more developers who have the capacity to work on a large scale.

If the County is presented with an opportunity to approve a large-scale development proposal, it will require that a developer prepare a specific plan or master plan for the entire area to be included in the development proposal. A development agreement would be required which specified the percentage of dwelling units that would affordable to low-income households. Depending on the size, location, and required public facilities, the affordable housing requirement could range from 5% to 25% of the units in a development. As part of the negotiated agreement, the County would request that at least 9% of low-income units be three and four bedroom units for large families (the percentage of large families in the population at-large).

Administration/Funding: The Development Services Department would be the primary point of contact to initiate developer negotiations. The funding for the preparation of a specific plan or master plan would have to come from the developer.

Timeframe: County would meet with large landholders/developers interested in large-scale development between December 1993 and December 1994. County would explore feasibility and desirability of such proposals based on results of planning studies in Program 1.

Expected Results: Assuming no more than two such development projects of 1,000 dwelling units meets the criteria for this program between 1992 and 1997, the number of anticipated affordable dwelling units would be 100 very low-income and 100 low-income dwelling units.
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Pursue Funding Under State and Federal Programs

There are a number of state and federal programs which provide low-cost financing or subsidies for the production of low- and moderate-income housing, although funding levels have decreased substantially over the past decade. Certain programs require an application and participation by a local public agency; other programs are for use by non-profit housing corporations and housing authorities, and the remaining programs require application and direct participation by a private developer.

Butte County will pursue funding under those state and federal programs that require its direct participation, and provide assistance to non-profit and private housing developers to make use of other programs which require their application and participation. The use of the programs listed below is predicated upon reaching agreements with interested non-profit or private developers to construct low- and/or moderate-income housing.

Programs which the County or the Housing Authority can pursue directly are as follows:
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State Predevelopment Loan Program. This program provides low-interest, short-term loans to public agencies and nonprofit housing corporations to cover predevelopment costs such as land acquisition and preparation, installation of public facilities, plans and drawings, and development fees.

Rental Housing Construction Program (RHCP). This program, funding for which has been re-established under Proposition 84 (1988), provides for the development of rental units by private, non-profit, or public agencies subject to the reservation 30 percent of the units for very-low and low-income households (two-thirds of which must be very-low). Funds can be used for long-term financing or a combination of long-term and construction loan financing.

California Farmworker Grant Program. This program provides grants to local governments and nonprofit housing corporations to construct or rehabilitate housing for farmworker families.

Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG). The CDBG program provides funding annually for three eligible activity areas: housing, public facilities, and economic development. Activities must address one of the following three objective: Serve lower-income people, eliminate slums or blight, or resolve urgent community development needs.

HOME/HOPE Programs. These are new federal program which provide funding for housing rehabilitation, new construction, and acquisition.

Butte County does not qualify as an entitlement jurisdiction under this program, and could either competitively apply for funding from a state pool of funds or seek to join other jurisdictions in Butte County to form an entitlement consortium. The City will evaluate which of the two alternatives would give the County the best chances of receiving funding on a regular basis.

Family Housing Demonstration Program. This is a state demonstration program that provides funding for the construction or rehabilitation of low-income rental housing projects that also provide support services and job training programs. The County would pursue an application under this program only if a non-profit housing corporation is interested in sponsoring such a project and can identify an eligible target population for the project.

There are a number of other programs which provide direct subsidies, mortgage insurance, or low-interest loans to non-profit housing sponsors and developers.

Agencies providing this assistance include the California Department of Housing and Community Development, the California Housing Finance Agency, the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the U. S. Farmers Home Administration. Included in these programs are: Technical assistance grants for project feasibility and development, subsidies for shared housing for seniors, congregate housing, farmworker housing, senior housing, self-help housing, transitional housing for homeless individuals, and other targeted groups, mobilehome park purchase and rehabilitation, and project loans and loan insurance. While the County cannot initiate applications under these programs, it can certainly lend its support to low-income projects for which the developer is seeking state or federal assistance. County support would be in the form of regulatory incentives, expedited permit processing, deferred development fees, and density bonuses.

The County will pursue these programs, in conjunction with programs for which a developer or nonprofit housing corporation must apply, to meet special housing needs defined above for elderly residents, large families, farmworkers, mobility-impaired individuals, and single mothers.

Administration/Funding: The Development Services Department would be the lead agency for reviewing low-income development proposals which seek state or federal financial assistance. The Public Works Department or Community Action Agency (under its responsibility as the County's Housing Authority) would take responsibility for preparing state or federal funding proposals for programs which require the County to be the lead agency.

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Timeframe: Identify funding cycles for potentially eligible proposals by June 1993, apply annually for available programs for which eligible projects are identified, depending on funding cycles.

Expected Results: 50 very-low income dwelling units and 75 lower-income dwelling units.

Tax-Exempt Bond Financing

Public agencies can issue revenue bonds, the interest on which is exempt from income taxation. Because the bonds are issued through a public agency, the investors pay no income tax on the interest earned, the bonds carry a lower interest rate than would otherwise be available to the borrower.

Housing financed through tax-exempt bonds can be of two types:

Ownership housing, typically single-family homes, in which income qualified first-time home buyers receive a discounted mortgage interest rate.

Multifamily rental housing, in which the project owner receives below-market interest rate financing in exchange for reserving a specified percentage of dwelling units for low- and/or moderate-income households.

To use this program, a public agency must first locate an interested developer, apply for and receive an allocation from the State Mortgage Revenue Bond Allocation Committee, and locate a bond underwriter to assist in the issuance of the bonds. The process typically takes between six months and one year from the time of application to the availability of funds for project development/financing.

In the event the County determines that it would be infeasible to issue bonds, it will pursue the alternative option of mortgage credit certificates, which may be issued to qualified borrowers. Mortgage credit certificates provide tax credits to borrowers, which have the equivalent effect of low interest rate financing. One requirement of the program is that the applicant make a deposit of 1/2 of one percent of the bond allocation being requested.

The County will seek an interested developer to take advantage of the mortgage revenue bond program and explore the cost and feasibility of issuing tax-exempt bonds. Because the size of a likely project would be small, it may not be financially feasible for the County to issue tax exempt bonds individually. In such a case, the County would look for one or more other interested public agencies to form a joint powers authority to issue bonds jointly.

Administration/Funding: The Development Services Department must first identify one or more interested developers in using this financing option. The Chief Administrative Officer must then take the lead in the applying for a bond allocation. If an allocation is received, the Chief Administrative Officer and County Counsel would take the lead in setting up necessary legal mechanisms to issue and administer the bonds.

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Funding for the required deposit would have to be provided by the developer, and administrative costs of issuing the bonds could be covered through arbitrage (the difference between the interest rate paid to bond holders and the interest rate charged to the developer or home buyers).

Timeframe: Determine feasibility and locate interested developer(s) by December 1994. Apply for bond allocation in 1995. Issue bonds by the summer of 1995, and finish project construction by December 1996.

Expected Results: Finance at least one project with tax-exempt bonds, or provide mortgage credit certificates for borrowers in at least one project. Specified percentage of dwelling units to be affordable to low- and/or moderate-income households. Objective is for 50 very low-income and 75 low-income and 100 moderate-income units.

Construction of Scattered-Site Housing

The federal government has funds available that can be used by housing authorities to construct or acquire housing for low-income households. Funding has been substantially reduced, however. The Butte County Community Action Agency would apply for federal funding to construct one or more rental projects for low-income residents. Such projects would be small-scale, and every attempt would be made to design and construct housing so that it is indistinguishable from other housing in a community. Privately developed housing of two to six dwelling units may also be possible on scattered sites without public sewer service.

Administration/Funding: The Community Action Agency would apply for funding from the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and would be responsible for project management and operation. Development Services Department is responsible for reviewing development proposals.

Timeframe: Apply for funding in 1993 and 1995. If funded, complete projects in 1994 and 1996.

Expected Results: 25 dwelling units affordable to very low-income households and 15 dwelling units affordable to low-income households for publicly-subsidized units. Based on past development patterns, the County can expect about 200 units of small, scattered multifamily housing to be developed between January 1993 and June 1997. Based on rents in the unincorporated county area, it will be assumed that all 200 units will be affordable to low-income households, but that none would be affordable to very low-income households.

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Community Reinvestment Act

The Community Reinvestment Act directs federal regulatory and deposit insurance agencies to encourage the institutions they regulate or insure to assist in meeting the credit needs of their communities, including low- and moderate-income needs. Federal agencies are supposed to evaluate compliance with the intent of this act when reviewing applications by financial institutions for charters, new branches, mergers, relocations, and other regulated transactions. Until recently, the provisions of this act were not widely implemented.

Butte County will identify financial institutions operating in the County that fall under the requirements of this act and request that these institutions develop specific programs for providing financing for low- and moderate-income housing in the unincorporated area.

Administration/Funding: The Community Action Agency would be responsible for assisting public agencies, non-profit organizations, and private developers in identifying local financial institutions willing to assist in the financing of affordable housing projects.

Timeframe: Meet with interested lending institutions by June 1993, obtain commitments for funding by December 1993.

Expected Results: Financing of one or more affordable housing project(s) at favorable terms--50 very low-income units and 75 low-income dwelling units.

Manufactured Housing Outside Mobilehome Parks

The County will allow manufactured homes on land zoned for residential use, subject to the same development standards as site built housing, according to the requirements of state law.

Administration/Funding: Development Services Department and Building Department will process applications. No additional staff time would be required to implement this program.

Timeframe: July 1, 1991 and ongoing

Expected Results: Increase in opportunities for mobilehomes and manufactured housing as a lower-cost alternative to site built housing--200 very low-income dwelling units and 150 low-income dwelling units.

Second Units and Mobilehomes

The County will evaluate its present zoning code requirements for second units and mobilehomes to identify changes which would make these alternative housing options available to a wider variety of households.

Administration/Funding: Development Services Department will recommend changes to its second unit requirements and make recommended changes to the Board of Supervisors.

Timeframe: Report to the Board by September 1993. Board to adopt changes by December 1993.

Expected Results: Approval of 100 permits for second dwelling units, 50 affordable to very low-income households and 50 affordable to low-income households.

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Conservation/Rehabilitation

GOAL C
Improve/Conserve the Existing Supply of Housing

Policies

C.1. Provide assistance to inspect and identify code violations in residential buildings. Code inspection shall be on a voluntary basis.

C.2. Continue to apply, when feasible, for state and federal assistance for housing rehabilitation for low-income households. Rental housing that is repaired with government assistance shall remain affordable to low-income households for a specified period of time.

C.3. Require the abatement or demolition of substandard housing that is not economically feasible to repair.

C.4. Seek, through code enforcement, the private rehabilitation of substandard dwelling units and provide financial assistance, when available, to owners of dwelling units occupied by low-income households. In applying this policy, the County shall seek to avoid the displacement of low-income households.

C.5. The County will periodically survey housing conditions in the unincorporated area to maintain a current data base on housing repair needs.

C.6. The Community Action Agency will continue to pursue all sources of funding for maintaining and expanding the supply of subsidized housing for low-income households.

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Implementation Programs

Inspection Program

Butte County will, on a request basis, arrange for an inspection of residential properties to identify health and safety hazards, and other building code violations, which should be corrected. Health and Safety Code inspections are currently provided at no charge by the Health Department, and are usually performed on a complaint basis. A more comprehensive voluntary building code inspection would be performed by the Building Department for an inspection fee that covers the cost of this service. The fee may be waived for dwelling units occupied by low-income households, the owners of which would be offered an opportunity to participate in County housing rehabilitation programs.

Administration/Funding: The Health Department will perform Health and Safety Code inspections. The Building Department will administer the code inspection program, to be funded from inspection fees. No additional staff time would be required to implement this program.

Timeframe: January 1993 and ongoing.

Anticipated Results: Depends on the number of requests.

Code Enforcement and Abatement

The County will identify dwelling units that are unsafe to occupy and initiate appropriate action to have those units comply with building code standards or removed. This action would be taken only in the most extreme cases in which the owner of the dwelling units is unable or unwilling to make necessary repairs, in which repairs are not feasible, or in which the dwelling unit has been abandoned.

Administration/Funding: The Building Department will enforce code requirements and order unsafe units to be vacated (and demolished, if necessary). Staff time estimated to implement this program is less than four hours per month, as the number of anticipated number of code enforcement actions is one per month.

Timeframe: July 1991 to June 1996.

Anticipated Results: Removal or reconstruction of 155 dilapidated dwelling units.
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Rehabilitation of Substandard Dwelling Units

The County has identified 550 dwelling units in need of rehabilitation, and 155 dwelling units in need of replacement or reconstruction. Most of these substandard dwelling units are occupied by low-income households. Most low-income owner-occupants lack sufficient financial resources to obtain private funding for home repairs. Owners of rental units occupied by low-income households often cannot financially support repairs to dwelling units from the rents they can charge.

To encourage private rehabilitation efforts, the County will apply for and/or assist eligible households in applying for various private, state and federal sources of funding for housing rehabilitation and home repairs, which would include the correction of health and safety hazards, weatherization, and the addition of space to alleviate overcrowding.

Administration/Funding: The Public Works Department will apply annually, or as frequently as feasible, for funding under the State Small Cities Community Development Block Grant Program, the HOME Program, the California Housing Rehabilitation Program, and the Farmer's Home Administration. In addition, the County will provide information to, and assist owners of, rental properties in applying for funding under the California Housing Rehabilitation Program, from the California Housing Finance Agency, and from the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The Development Services Department will assist CDBG-eligible homeowners receiving Social Security income in applying for Special Circumstances Grants (one- time grants of $750 for home repairs), and for private sources of financing for weatherization. In some cases, several of the above-mentioned programs will be combined to undertake home repairs. Owners of rental properties who are assisted in financing the rehabilitation of their dwelling units will be required to rent the units to low-income households and to sign a rent limitation agreement.

Timeframe: Apply in 1993 and 1995, at a minimum, for new funds, more frequently if demand exists. Continue to make rehabilitation loans from program income

Expected Results: 160 dwelling units.

Relocation Assistance

Butte County will consider adopting an ordinance requiring owners of dwelling units which are vacated for violation of housing and building codes to pay relocation expenses for displaced residents and to provide the displacee with the right of first refusal to return to the units upon its repair. The County will evaluate various relocation strategies and options to be included in the ordinance.

Administration/Funding: The Building Department and Public Health Department would administer this program, if adopted by the Board. The owner will be required to pay the relocation expenses.

Timeframe: Present ordinance to Board of Supervisors by December 1993. Adopt ordinance by April 1994.

Expected Results: Provide relocation assistance for up to 155 households living in dilapidated dwelling units.
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Maintenance of Housing Condition Data Base

The County will maintain current information on the condition of dwelling units in the unincorporated County area by periodically updating its housing conditions data base. Approximately every two years, the County will resurvey housing conditions to ensure the currency of its housing conditions information.

Administration/Funding: The Public Works Department will direct these surveys, for which the County can apply for funding under the Small Cities CDBG Planning/Technical Assistance grant.

Timeframe: Conduct housing conditions surveys in 1993 and 1996.

Expected Results: Maintenance of housing conditions data base that is not more than 30 months old.

Zoning Flexibility For Housing Rehabilitation.

Many dwelling units in need of rehabilitation were constructed prior to adoption of current zoning standards. As a consequence, some of these dwelling units are non-conforming as to lot size, set-backs, yard requirement, location, and other zoning requirements. To avoid discouraging rehabilitation efforts, the County will continue to allow non-conforming dwelling units to be rehabilitated so long as the non-conformity is not increased and there is no threat to public health and safety.

Administration/Funding: The Development Services Department will determine the zoning status of dwelling units to be rehabilitated based on inspection information provided by the Building Department. The staff time required for the determination of zoning status will be included in any permit fees, except that the County may waive any extra charges for low-income households.

Timeframe: Current and ongoing.

Expected Results: Zoning status to be determined for properties rehabilitated under programs one through four.
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Preservation of Mobilehome Parks

Mobilehome parks represent an affordable housing alternative for many county residents, especially senior citizens. Rising operating costs, changes in ownership, and other factors can result in space rents increasing faster than the ability of residents to afford those rents.

One potential method for mobilehome park residents to control their housing costs is for residents to cooperatively own and operate the mobilehome park in which they live.

The residents would need to arrange for the financing of such an acquisition and the establishment of a reserve fund for the repair and maintenance of major capital facilities in the park. This program is for existing parks, and not the construction of new resident-owned parks.

Administration/Funding: The Community Action Agency or Public Works Department would assist interested mobilehome park residents in applying for state technical assistance and financing for mobilehome park acquisition.

Timeframe: Any time assistance is requested.

Expected Results: Undetermined--depends on interest by mobilehome park residents and availability of state funding.

The Homeless

GOAL D
To Meet the Needs of Homeless Persons
Policies

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D.1. To refer homeless persons within the service area of existing homeless shelters to those shelters.

D.2. To determine the need for a homeless shelter in the unincorporated county area for homeless persons in one or more portions of the county who do not have access to existing shelters in the Oroville and Chico urban areas.

D.3. To provide transitional housing as a bridge between homeless facilities and independent living.

Implementation Programs

Homeless Services Referral

The County will refer residents in the unincorporated area who are within the Chico or Oroville urban areas to homeless facilities in those cities.

Administration/Funding: The Community Action Agency will be the primary contact and referral agency for homeless services.

Timeframe: Current and ongoing.

Expected Results: Assist homeless persons in the unincorporated Chico and Oroville areas to access homeless services.

Homeless Services in the Unincorporated County Area

The County will determine the need for a homeless facility and identify appropriate areas in unincorporated communities that are not readily accessible to homeless services in Chico or Oroville. The County has not yet received any requests for homeless shelters outside of the Chico or Oroville. According to homeless service providers, there may be a potential demand, although this demand cannot be quantified.

Administration/Funding: The Community Action Agency will annually monitor client information from homeless service providers to determine if a demand exists for a facility in the unincorporated area. The Development Services Department will evaluate the Zoning Ordinance and recommend amendments to designate zones in which homeless facilities would be appropriate. If there appears to be a need for a homeless facility in the unincorporated county area, the Community Action Agency could request that the County apply for CDBG Planning/Technical Assistance Funds to identify a specific site and work with a homeless service provider to prepare preliminary plans for such a shelter.

Timeframe: Community Action Agency to evaluate homeless provider client records annually. Development Services Department to recommend zoning code revisions for Board of Supervisors adoption by December 1993.

Expected Results: On-going monitoring of homelessness in the unincorporated county area. Identification of areas in unincorporated communities which are appropriate for homeless facilities.

Provide Transitional Housing

The County will contact homeless service providers and nonprofit housing corporations to determine the interest in providing one or transitional housing sites in the unincorporated county area.

Suitable locations and communities would have to be determined. Transitional housing can either be temporary shelter, such as a single family home, or a group home, which provides a bridge between a homeless shelter and independent living in conventional housing. Job training, education, and other social services may be provided during this transition period to allow the homeless individual to prepare for independent living.

Administration/Funding: The Community Action Agency will be the primary contact agency. The Development Services Department would be responsible for reviewing applications for transitional housing.

Timeframe: Contact homeless service providers and nonprofit housing corporations by June 1993, identify the need and appropriate locations by December 1993. If the need is established and funding can be secured, provide one or more transitional housing facilities by December 1994.

Expected Results: Assist homeless persons in unincorporated communities to make the transition between homeless shelters and conventional housing.

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Equal Opportunity

GOAL E
To Ensure Equal Housing Opportunity
Policies

E.1. The County will continue to provide referral services to state and federal agencies which process housing discrimination complaints.

Implementation Programs

Fair Housing Program

The County will provide referral services to individuals with housing discrimination complaints. The County will seek written materials from state or private agencies involved in fair housing compliance and distribute these materials, locally, to community organizations which serve client groups most potentially affected by housing discrimination. The County will also enlist the assistance of these community organizations in translating information into other languages.

Administration/Funding: The Community Action Agency will provide referral services.

Timeframe: Seek and distribute written information by December 1993.

Expected Results: Resolution or referral of 100 fair housing complaints, conducting of annual education/awareness programs.

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Energy Conservation

GOAL F
To Promote Energy Conservation
Policies

F.1. Continue to implement state energy-efficient standards.

F.2. Develop site design guidelines for energy conserving development patterns.

F.3. Provide weatherization assistance to low-income households.

Implementation Programs

Implement State Energy Conservation Standards.

The State of California has adopted a number of energy conservation requirements for residential dwelling units. These conservation standards apply to all newly-constructed dwelling units and additions to existing dwelling units. Conservation requirements address insulation; the amount and orientation of glazing; shading by landscaping, mechanical, and architectural devices; heating and cooling system efficiency; the amount and placement of thermal mass (materials that absorb heat during the daytime and release heat at night); and other aspects of building energy efficiency.

Applicants for building permits must show compliance with the state's energy conservation requirements at the time building plans are submitted.

Administration/Funding: The County Building Department is responsible for implementing the state's energy conservation standards. This includes the checking of building plans and other written documentation showing compliance and the inspection of construction to ensure that dwelling units are constructed according to those plans. The cost of enforcement is paid for from fees paid at the time plans are submitted. No additional staff time would be required to implement this program.

Timeframe: Current and ongoing.

Expected Results: Checking of all building plans for compliance with state energy conservation requirements. Increase in energy efficiency will save an unspecified amount of energy and natural resources.

Site Development Standards

The State energy conservation requirements address energy conservation in the construction of dwelling units. Additional energy conservation can be obtained from development patterns which encourage conservation.

The County will prepare guidelines for site development that encourage energy conservation. These guidelines will address the use of landscaping to reduce energy use, the orientation and configuration of buildings on a site, and other site design factors affecting energy use.

Administration/Funding: The Development Services Department will develop guidelines in consultation with the Building Department, the California Energy Commission, and other jurisdictions with such guidelines.

Timeframe: Guidelines to be prepared by December 1993.

Expected Results: Improved energy conservation in new residential developments. Energy savings cannot be estimated at this time.

Energy Conservation Assistance for Low-Income Households

Substantial energy conservation, and reduced utility payments, can be realized from weatherizing and insulating older dwelling units. Many low-income households and owners of rental units lack the financial resources, however, to undertake such home improvements. There are several programs that can provide financial assistance to low-income homeowners and rental unit owners whose tenants are low income: Community Development Block Grant Program, California Housing Rehabilitation Program, Pacific Gas & Electric, Special Circumstances Grants (specified homeowners on Social Security only), North Coast Energy Services, and Farmer's Home Administration.

Administration/Funding: The Development Services Department will include weatherization and energy conservation as eligible activities under CDBG and CHRP programs which it administers. The Agency will provide information and refer eligible property owners to other programs. No additional staff time would be required to implement this program.

Timeframe: Current and ongoing.

Expected Results: Weatherization and insulation of 200 dwelling units.

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Summary of Quantified Objectives

Subsidy, Incentive,

and Density Market Rate % of BCAG

Bonus Programs Housing Total Allocation

New Construction Very Low 515 0 515 27%

Low 450 100 550 57%

Moderate 350 650 1,000 103%

Above Moderate 0 2,920 2,920 196%

Total 1,315 3,820 5,135 100%

Conservation of Existing Very Low 230 N/A

Affordable Housing Low 125 N/A

Relocation Very Low 125 N/A

Low 30 N/A

These quantified objectives are based the specific objectives of each of the previously described housing program in conjunction with the assumption that the private market will meet the needs of all other moderate- and above moderate-income households. It is assumed that density bonuses, state and federal subsidy programs, and bond financing (Goal B, Programs 1, 3, and 4) would be used in conjunction with other programs, so the very low- and low-income quantified objectives for these programs are not counted separately in the total objectives shown above.

CHAPTER 3
BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Introduction

According to State Law, every city and county in California must prepare a housing element as part of its general plan. The housing element must document in detail the existing housing stock and existing and projected housing needs. Responding to these requirements, this chapter profiles Butte County's existing housing, assesses existing and projected needs, analyzes resources available to meet these needs, and reviews governmental and nongovernmental constraints on the production of affordable housing.

County Housing Market

Between 1970 and 1980, the population of Butte County grew at a rate two and one-half times that of the state of California. During this time similar population growth was experienced by many non-urban foothill counties throughout California. Metropolitan counties, such as San Francisco and Los Angeles, actually lost population to the slower-paced, more recreation-oriented counties of the state.

The fact that retirees are seeking the amenities of rural life is demonstrated by the 55 percent increase in the population of Paradise between 1970 and 1980. This community has been, by far, the fastest growing area in Butte County even though it contains some of the greatest environmental barriers to more intense urban development.

Unlike the state, which experienced a decrease in the importance of immigration as a component of population growth between 1970 and 1980, new residents moving into the County accounted for 90 percent of the County's population growth. During this same period, the increase in households in the unincorporated area comprised 63.49 percent of county-wide household growth. Population growth and household growth within the unincorporated County area accounted for 56 percent and 55.1 percent of the county-wide growth, respectively, between 1980 and 1990. Table H-1 shows these projections in detail.

Household Characteristics

In 1980, there were approximately 31,579 households in unincorporated Butte County. The projected growth rate for households in Butte County is slightly higher than that of population; this is because household size in the County is decreasing. (See section on overcrowding.) In 1990, the U.S. Census reported a total of 40,998 housing units in the unincorporated county area, representing a rate of increase of 29.8 percent, compared to a population increase during the same period of 22.2 percent.

The Department of Finance estimated 42,701 dwelling units in the unincorporated area as of January 1, 1992, of which 39,956 were estimated to be occupied.

TABLE H - 1 POPULATION CHANGE BY JURISDICTION - 1970-1990 County of Butte
t	1970 Total	Percent	1980 Total	Change 1970-80	Percent	Total	Change 1980-90	Percent
Biggs	1,115	1.1%	1,413	26.9%	1.0%	1,581	11.9%	0.8%
Chico	19,580	19.2%	26,603	35.9%	18.0%	40,079	50.6%	22.0%
Gridley	3,534	3.5%	3,982	12.7%	3.0%	4,631	16.3%	2.5%
Oroville	7,536	7.4%	8,683	15.2%	6.0%	11,960	3.7%	6.5%
Paradise	14,560	14.3%	22,571	55.1%	17.0%	25,408	12.5%	13.9%
Unincorp	55,644	54.5%	80,599	44.9%	55.0%	98,461	22.1%	54.0%
Total	101,969	100.0%	143,851	41.1%	100.0%	182,120	26.6%	100.0%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 1970, 1980, 1990 (Summary Tape File l).

TABLE H - 2 POPULATION AND HOUSEHOLD GROWTH - 1990-1992 County of Butte
t	1990 Total	1992 Total	1990-92	Change Percent
Biggs	1,581	1,659	4.9%	0.9%
Chico	40,079	43,701	9.0%	22.9%
Gridley	4,631	4,741	2.4%	2.5%
Oroville	11,960	12,291	2.8%	6.4%
Paradise	25,408	26,008	2.4%	13.6%
Unincorp	98,461	102,807	4.4%	53.7%
Total	182,120	191,207	5.0%	100.0%

Source: California Department of Finance, Population Research Unit, Report E-5, May 1992.

Group Quarters: In 1980, there were 835 persons residing in group quarters, such as student housing, convalescent and nursing homes, and boarding houses, in the unincorporated areas of Butte County. In 1983, the figure grew to 1,449, a considerable increase in a short period of time. The increase was due primarily to an increase in student housing and group homes for senior citizens. The predominant area in the County for group housing is in and around the City of Chico. The reason for this is that California State University, Chico, students share expenses and housing near the campus. Group housing quarters elsewhere in the County are generally nursing or rest homes.

In January of 1992, the California Department of Finance reported that there were 510 persons in group quarters in unincorporated Butte County (compared to 488 by the 1990 Census), substantially fewer persons than reported in 1980. This decrease is due, in large part, to the incorporation of Paradise.

The 1990 Census reported 4,705 persons in group quarters county-wide (2.58% of the population), 1,764 of which were persons in institutions. The percentage of persons in group quarters county-wide is much higher than in the unincorporated area due to the location of student housing, group homes for elderly residents, the county jail, and other group facilities in the cities.

The Department of Finance estimated a smaller group quarters population as of January 1, 1992 4,440 persons. One could expect seasonal shifts of this magnitude in the group quarters populations because of changes in occupancy in student housing, elderly group housing, and inmate populations at various times of year.

Age: As is true of most rural communities throughout the state, Butte County has become an attractive location for retirement. In 1980, 29 percent of the population was over 62 years of age. The attraction of retirees to Butte County is not a new phenomenon, as is particularly evident in the City of Paradise, which in 1980 had a median age of 46.5 years. Senior citizens (over 62 years) represent 33.8 percent of this City's population, and Paradise contains almost 30 percent of all County residents over age 62. Although the City of Paradise still contains many elderly persons (34.4% of City's population in 1990), the percentage of elderly persons in the County has decreased significantly since 1980.

In 1990, the Census Bureau reported that 20,285, or 20.6 percent of the population, were over 62 years of age or more in unincorporated Butte County. The Census Bureau reported 36,683 persons, 20.1 percent of the population, county-wide over 62 years of age in 1990.

This younger population county-wide reflects a shift in the average age of residents migrating into the County and an increase in child-bearing.

A net in-migration of younger households and families into the County would coincide with the statewide trend of younger households migrating out of highly urbanized areas. The population age characteristics for both the unincorporated area and county-wide are shown in Table H-3.
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