Friday, Jul 13 2012 3:21PM

Officials and residents of Portola Valley, California, met on July 11 to examine issues surrounding rural community development related to affordable housing, local newspaper The Almanac reports.

While the community has plans to build eight homes for moderate-income families in the area, local community members expressed they still want additional affordable housing options, according to the newspaper.

One roadblock to the eight-home development project and other potential home construction plans in the valley is zoning issues, the paper states. Some residents are concerned about the location where Portola Valley officials want to build properties, as well as housing density in the area.

The Almanac reports another zoning issue regarding housing development occurred nearly a decade ago. In 2003, the local government decided to construct 15 to 20 homes in the community. However, due to housing density complaints, the decisions was overturned and no affordable housing was constructed.

Other rural housing issues exist in parts of California, including poor farm worker housing and a lack of affordable options for low-income residents. However, the state recently passed the Homeowner Bill of Rights, which aims to help these consumers afford housing.

For further information, check out this source: The Almanac