Housing Elements
HOUSING ELEMENTS & Child Care
it's time to act
In our high-cost area, housing affordability affects the child care sector. Family child care providers, those who provide licensed child care in their homes, may struggle to afford their rent or mortgage. As older providers retire, new providers cannot afford to buy homes in our communities. Those who rent a house or apartment often face business instability. While many of the challenges for child care facilities development are similar to housing, the child care sector lacks the mandates, financing sources or expertise that exist for housing developers
Policies supportive of child care in or near housing is a proven method for cities to contribute towards creating sustainable communities where families with young children can thrive. The Housing Element update provides an opportunity to address the housing and child care needs of all working families, while examining the housing and child care needs of special populations, such as single-parents and female-headed households, in particular.
Build Up San Mateo County, in collaboration with Child Care Partnership Council, developed a Sample Letter and companion document with Sample Housing Element Policy Language to support child care near housing. Find these resources below.
Sample Letter
One of the biggest challenges in developing child care facilities is finding a suitable location. Ideally, child care facilities are located in or near housing and close to family-friendly transportation options. When working families with young children have access to child care near their home, it reduces their traffic and commute times, and generally improves quality of life for these residents. Read more in our letter.
policy Language
High-quality child care is essential to families and to vibrant economic development, yet operators of potential new child care facilities face numerous barriers to opening new programs to meet community needs. Jurisdictions are encouraged to include policy language as appropriate for their community.
