Housing

The Town of Windsor develops and administers a variety of programs to assist with the preservation and construction of affordable and market rate housing. The Town of Windsor received the California Prohousing Designation on July 14, 2023. This designation signifies Windsor’s commitment to accelerating housing production to meet our fair share of the state’s housing needs, creating equitable and sustainable communities, and dismantling exclusionary land use policies. The Prohousing designation makes the Town eligible for funding incentives, grants, and competitive for funding programs. Only 30 jurisdictions in California had received this designation as of September 20, 2023.

The Town of Windsor’s regulatory documents which address housing, including the General Plan, Housing Element, and Zoning Code, can be located on this page.

Saggio Hills Phase I in Healdsburg - Affordable Housing Community Opening July 2026.

Homeowner Resources

Home Loans and Assistance Programs

The California Housing Finance Agency maintains a list of First Mortgage Programs and Down Payment Assistance Programs. This includes the CalHFA FHA Program which is a government insured loan, offered through private loan officers, for a 30-year fixed interest rate first mortgage.

Housing Rehabilitation Loan Program

The Sonoma County Community Development Commission administers a Housing Rehabilitation Loan Program to provide financial assistance for owner-occupants in need of repairs on their single-family homes or mobile homes, and owners of rental properties where at least half of the tenants are low-income households. The program provides low-interest loans to eligible property owners throughout Sonoma County, including Windsor.

SB9 Lot Splits

The Town of Windsor frequently asked questions about Senate Bill 9 (SB 9) California Housing Opportunity and More Efficiency (“HOME”) Act can be accessed here Version Options Housing Headline.

Short Term Rentals

Non-Hosted Short-Term Rentals are prohibited in residential districts. In June 2023, the Town Council adopted an ordinance regulating all other short-term rentals (STRs). Click here Version Options Housing Headline for the Zoning regulations, FAQs, including operating standards, and the types of STRs allowed.

Home Access Modification (HAM) Program

The Disability Services & Legal Center (DSLC) provides a wide array of services, including the Home Access Modification program. For qualifying households, this service provides the installation of ramps, grab bars, and other home modifications to allow better access within the home. For more information, please visit the DSLC website: https://www.mydslc.org/services/#core-summary.

Tenant Resources

Affordable Housing

The Sonoma County Community Development Commission compiled an inventory of rental housing units by jurisdiction to assist Sonoma County renters in locating affordable units. For state and local income limits by program click on this page which is updated June of each year.

Homelessness

The County of Sonoma maintains a list of resources for homeless services. The page includes a list of homeless shelters for immediate needs, and a list of Coordinated Entry providers which match people experiencing homelessness to available supportive housing programs.

For Housing Resources with Mental Health Support, visit National Alliance of Mental Health (NAMI) of Sonoma County as well as the many mental health services offered directly through Sonoma County.

Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8)

The Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8) is funded by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and administered by the Sonoma County Housing Authority. The program’s primary purpose is to provide rental assistance to low-income families for affordable, decent, safe, and sanitary housing. Recipients of the assistance receive a voucher to rent homes in the private market. The voucher covers a portion of the rent and the tenant is expected to pay the balance. The tenant's share of the rent is an affordable percentage of their income, which is generally between 30 to 40 percent of the monthly income for rent and utilities. Click here Version Options Housing Headline for more information about when and how to apply.

Fair Housing

Fair Housing Advocates of Northern California can assist with housing discrimination complaints, referral and support when filing a complaint of lawsuit, assistance for people with disabilities, education programs for tenants and housing providers, foreclosure prevention counseling and pre-purchase education. Fair Housing Advocates of Northern California or (415) 457-5025

Frequently Asked Questions: Disability Discrimination & Reasonable Accommodations/Modifications

The Sonoma County Community Development Commission is dedicated to promoting decent and affordable housing, revitalizing communities, and supporting public services that increase economic stability for County residents.

The North Bay Organizing Project (NBOP) is a grassroots, multiracial, and multi-issue organization comprised of twenty faith, environmental, labor, student, cultural and community-based organizations in Sonoma County. Their services include social, economic, racial and environmental justice, including land and housing justice. https://www.northbayop.org/mission-vision

Legal Assistance

California Rural Legal Assistance (CRLA) provides free legal services for low-income persons. CRLA can assist with housing problems including landlord/tenant issues (usually correcting unhealthy, unsafe, or other habitability problems) and fair, affordable housing actions and policies. California Rural Legal Assistance or (707) 528-9941.

Legal Aid of Sonoma County provides free, comprehensive representation for low-income tenants in housing matters, including eviction defense, Housing Choice Voucher issues, mobile home park issues, and habitability issues. https://legalaidsc.org/tenant-resources/ or 707-542-1290

Senior Housing and Assisted Living Facilities

The Sonoma County Community Development Commission compiled rental housing units by jurisdiction which are listed by type and include units for seniors.

For additional resources for seniors in Town, please also connect with the Senior Center.

Mobile Home Park Owner/Tenant Resources

The following service providers can provide assistance, advice, and advocacy:

California Rural Legal Assistance
707-528-9941 or https://crla.org/

Golden State Manufactured-Home Owners League
Region 2 (Sonoma County) Region Manager – Hilary Mosher: hilmosh@gmail.com or 707-839-5079

HCD Mobilehome Assistance Center
File complaints about health and safety issues and tenant disputes, including sewage spills, garbage accumulation, and rent hikes without proper warning. 1-800-952-8356 or https://cahcd.my.site.com/s/