News & Insights
Photo courtesy of: Greg Land
The Santa Barbara (Calif.) County’s Housing and Community Development Division has issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to identify development teams interested in partnering on new affordable housing at 117 E. Carrillo Street, a prime site in the heart of downtown Santa Barbara.
The selected partner will deliver high-quality, financially feasible housing aligned with County policies and community values.
Expanding affordable housing options to serve a range of income levels, including moderate- and middle-income households.
Leveraging County-owned land to address housing needs without direct expenditure of General Fund resources.
Promoting long-term community benefit through sustainable design, efficient land use, and compatibility with the surrounding urban context.
Creating a replicable model for future County partnerships that balance public goals with private-sector innovation and capital investment.
Responses are due by Tuesday, December 2, 2025.
Interested parties are also encouraged to attend the following information session:
A 2024 County-wide evaluation identified 117 E. Carrillo Street as one of the most promising near-term opportunities for new housing. The site offers:
Central location
Proximity to transit and services
Alignment with adopted community plans
The property is currently under County ownership and is envisioned to support a range of residential and complementary ground-floor uses.
High housing costs in Santa Barbara County have outpaced wages across many sectors, forcing workers to commute long distances or relocate. This shortage of affordable housing affects the region’s economic stability, quality of life, and workforce retention.
More than half of renters in the City of Santa Barbara spend over 30% of their income on rent.
hcd@countyofsb.org | countyofsb.org/417/For-Developers
Review the RFQ.
Attend the information session.
If you need accessibility accommodations to view the RFQ or attend the session, please follow the instructions provided on the County’s official posting.
Read the RFQ here →
