EXHIBIT 1
City of Alameda
General Plan and Housing Element
Annual Report
2024
2024 Annual Report – March 2025
.
This
Annual
Report
is
prepared
for
the
review
and
consideration
by:
The
Alameda
City
Council:
Mayor Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft
Vice Mayor Michele Pryor
Council Member Tony Daysog
Council Member Tracy Jensen
Council Member Greg Boller
The
Alameda
Planning
Board
:
Board member Teresa Ruiz
Board member Hanson Hom
Vice-President Diana Ariza
President Xiomara Cisneros
Board member Sunny Tsou
Board member Asheshh Saheba
Board member Andy Wang
The
residents and
businesses
of
the
City
of
Alameda,
California
.
This
Annual
Report
was
prepared
by
the
City
of
Alameda
Planning,
Building
and
Transportation
Department
Allen Tai, Planning, Building & Transportation Director Steven Buckley, Planning Services Manager
Tristan Suire, Planner II
Nancy McPeak, Executive Assistant
2024 Annual Report – March 2025
Executive Summary
Pursuant to Government Code § 65300 et seq., every city and county in California is required to adopt and maintain an up -to-date, integrated, internally consistent and compatible statement of General Plan policies to guide physical development and protect the general health, safety and welfare of the community. The Government Code also requires that the City Council annually review the adequacy of the General Plan and progress made to implement the city’s regional housing need allocation by April 1 of each year. The City of Alameda General Plan and Housing Element are available for review on the City website. https://www.alameda2040.org/
This annual report on the status of the General Plan provides an opportunity for the City Council and its advisory boards and commissions to consider the adequacy of the Alameda General Plan, progress made over the past year towards implementation, and priorities for the upcoming year.
Government Code section 65400 (a) requires that the planning agency (Planning, Building, and Transportation Department) annually make recommendations to the legislative body (the City Council) regarding “reasonable and practical means for implementing the general plan or element of the general plan so that it will serve as an effective guide for the orderly growth and development, preservation and conservation of open -space land and natural resources ……”
Following adoption of the General Plan in 2022, the city set priorities for General Plan implementation in the coming years . Progress is being made on several of these , as staffing and funding is available . The Council -adopted Strategic Plan for fiscal years 2023-2026 provides specific timeline goals for several key programs and projects, as well.
The Planning, Building and Transportation Department is engaged in a wide range of activities. This report addresses the efforts related specifically to land use regulation and housing production. Other reports address the progress in building, transportat ion and sustainability.
General Plan 2040
Following the three year effort by the Alameda Planning Board and community, the City of Alameda "General Plan 2040” is up-to-date, internally consistent, and compliant with State Government Code requirements for a valid General Plan.
In December 2021, the Alameda City Council adopted the first comprehensive update of the General Plan in 30 years. Alameda General Plan 2040 includes:
• Introduction and Themes
2024 Annual Report – March 2025
• Land Use and City Design Element
• Conservation and Climate Action Element
• Mobility Element
• Open Space and Parks Element
• Health and Safety Element.
In July 2022, the City Council adopted additional amendments to the Health and Safety and Conservation and Climate Action Elements concurrent with the adoption of the 2022 Disaster Preparedness Plan, which was last updated in 2017.
In November 2022, the City Council adopted a comprehensive update of the Housing Element and the associated zoning amendments necessary to accommodate the regional housing needs allocation (RHNA) for the eight -year period from 2023 through 2031, as required by State law . The Housing Element was found by the State Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) on December 20, 2022 as fully compliant with Housing Element Law.
In that certification, the HCD staff acknowledged the completion of numerous zoning actions to accommodate the RHNA, including lower -income households, to affirmatively further fair housing (AFFH) and to facilitate and encourage a variety of housing types.
HCD also encouraged the City to continue to implement the various programs as established in the Element.
Housing Construction in 2024
Government Code Section 65400 requires the City to annually consider the prior year’s progress in meeting the City of Alameda’s regional housing needs allocations.
In 2022, the City Council adopted the City’s Housing Element for the period 2023 through 2031. The new Housing Element include s the policies and programs necessary to construct at least 5,353 housing units over the eight -year period, or an average of 670 units per year. These units are intended to meet a variety of housing needs, addressing affordability, accessibility, equitable access to community resources, transportation, and employment, and other community goals.
In the 2023-2031 planning period, the need as expressed in the RHNA and assigned to Alameda includes:
• 1,421 units for very low-income households (27% of the total) • 818 units for low-income households (15% of the total) • 868 units for moderate-income households (16% of the total) • 2,246 for market-rate income households (42% of the total) 2024 Annual Report – March 2025
Concurrently, the City Council adopted zoning text and map amendments to facilitate a number of objectives related to overall housing production, affordable housing, and equitable housing. These amendments are influencing decisions by landowners and developers as they consider infill housing development at existing underused office and general commercial properties, and other opportunity sites including Alameda Point.
Every project of more than 9 units provides a minimum of 15% of the units as affordable housing, and projects of 5 to 9 units may satisfy the requirement with a unit or an in-lieu fee payment based on the overall feasibility of developing individual deed -restricted affordable units. (The City is undertaking a review of these requirements to ensure they are still meeting the policy goals set forth throughout the Housing Element.) In addition, the projects at Alameda Point provide a minimum of 25% of the units as affordable housing, and the Alameda Housing Authority constructs projects that are 100% affordable.
As a result, approxim ately 22% of all the housing constructed in Alameda over the previous eight -year period was deed restricted for lower -income or moderate -income households.
The same trends are expected to continue for the current period. If this holds true, then about 1,200 of the new housing units ( 22% of 5,353 RHNA allocation, including a mix of rental and ownership) would be deed restricted . The RHNA allocation is 58% affordable units for very -low to moderate income households. Reaching this objective will likely require achieving a higher total number of units and special efforts to build 100% affordable projects in partnership with various providers. Amendments to the inclusionary housing ordinance are being considered in this light , such as offering in-lieu fee options for more projects so that the City can leverage those funds to sponsor 100% affordable developments and recognizing that many moderate -income rental units are being provided through market forces instead of deed-restrictions.
In 2024, the City issued building permits for a total of 243 units, including 109 deed - restricted affordable units and 58 ADUs. The proportion of affordable units is higher than average because the Alameda Housing Authority started work on two buildings at their North Housing site, including 45 transitional units and 64 senior housing units , while market rate development has significantly slowed under current market conditions.
Accessory dwelling units are not deed restricted; however, through a study of accessory dwelling units it was determined that approximately 25% of ADUs serve very low-income households, 25% serve low-income households, 25% serve moderate income households and 25% serve above-moderate households. Therefore, there were an additional 15 very low-income units, 14 additional low -income units, 14 additional units serving moderate income households, and 15 additional units serving above-moderate income households.
2024 Annual Report – March 2025
TABLE 1 – REGIONAL HOUSING NEEDS ALLOCATION PROGRESS
INCOME
CATEGORY
8-YEAR RHNA
GOAL (UNITS)
BUILDING PERMITS
ISSUED
REMAINING
TO MEET
RHNA
2023 2024
Very Low Income 1,421 13 124 1,229
Low Income 818 11 18 778
Moderate Income 868 19 21 822
Market Rate 2,246 92 80 2,007
TOTAL 5,353 135 243 4,863
* Includes allocated affordability of ADUs.
Housing Programs 2023-2031
The Housing Element for 2023 -2031 includes 22 programs designed to facilitate and support construction of at least 5,353 housing units over the 8 year implementation period.
The 22 programs represent an eight-year work program for the City of Alameda. The programs are summarized below in the order in which they are described in the Housing Element. The full text for each program can be found starting on page 16 of the Housing Element. https://www.alameda2040.org/housing
Following each program summary below, staff has identified progress in 2024 and recommended priorities for 2025, the next reporting year.
Program 1: Alameda Point
This program requires the City to take all necessary actions to facilitate and support the construction of 1,482 new housing units at Alameda Point at Site A in the Waterfront Town Center Specific Plan area and the adjacent RESHAP and West Midway area in the Main Street Neighborhood Specific Plan area.
Progress and Priorities. In 2024, the City continued coordination with the development team to ensure progress according to the development agreements . In the same year RESHAP (Rebuilding Existing Supportive Housing at Alameda Point) phase I demolition was completed and site preparation work underway, the applicants also submitted for a Design Review planning entitlement. In 202 5, the City anticipates the initiation of horizontal improvements for the roadways and other infrastructure and site preparation for the first phase of the Midway market rate portion of the project, and design review and construction plan approval for the first phase of the RESHAP affordable housing construction.
Program 2: Shopping Center Zoning Amendments
This program requires the City to up -zone approximately 100 acres of land at four shopping centers in Alameda that is occupied by low density, single-story commercial and service buildings, and large surface parking lots to allow for the development of at least 1,200 housing units.
2024 Annual Report – March 2025
Progress and Priorities. The required zoning amendments were adopted by the City Council in December 2022 and took effect in January 2023. In 2023, the City received and approved a tentative map request to subdivide the property at the Southshore Shopping Center to support residential redevelopment. If a design review application for housing is received for that site or another, staff will expedite the review with the Planning Board. No further progress was made in 2024 as housing development slowed under current market conditions.
Program 3: Commercial Transit Corridor Zoning Amendments This program requires the City to amend the Community Commercial Zoning District (CC District), the Neighborhood Business District (C-1 District), and North Park Street District (NP District), comprising approximately 110 acres of land designated for commercial and residential mixed use in the General Plan along the Park Street and Webster Street transit rich commercial corridors to encourage development of at least 499 residential units.
Progress and Priorities. The required zoning amendments were adopted by the City Council in December 2022 and took effect in January 2023. The City has processed one design review application for two housing units on the Park Street corridor and processed the Housing Authority’s Webster Street Hotel Conversion project for 50 permanent supportive housing units in 2023. No new units were proposed in 2024. If a design review application for housing is received, staff will expedite the review with the Planning Board.
No further progress was made in 2024 as housing development slowed under current market conditions.
Program 4: Residential District Zoning Amendments
This program requires the City to amend the Municipal Code R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5, and R-6 residential zoning districts and rezone five parcels to remove barriers to housing construction and support construction of at least 995 units.
Progress and Priorities. The required zoning amendments were adopted by the City Council in December 2022 and took effect in January 2023. In 2023, the City issued building permits for 51 units in the Residential Districts. In 2024 the City issued building permits for 4 units in Residential Districts.
Program 5: Accessory Dwelling Units
This program calls for the City to promote and facilitate accessory dwelling unit (ADU) construction of 50 ADUs per year (400 units during the 6 th cycle) by promoting, streamlining, evaluating and monitoring ADU construction in Alameda.
Progress and Priorities. In 2023, the City published a new ADU Handout to inform and promote ADU construction in Alameda, established pre-approved building permit plans for certain ADU designs, and published a video that explains the ADU permitting process and incentives for ADU construction in Alameda. In 2023, the City issued permits for 52 ADUs.
In 2024, the City issued 58 ADU building permits. The City website has been updated to provide additional information on pre -approved plans. Streamlined permit review will continue for all ADUs.
2024 Annual Report – March 2025
Program 6: Large Sites and Multifamily Housing
To facilitate the development of affordable housing and provide for development phases of 50 to 150 units, the City will give high priority to processing density bonus applications and subdivision maps or other property subdivision that include affordable housing and multifamily rental housing. Projects with higher percentages of affordable housing and/or higher residential densities shall be given priority over projects with lower density and higher priced units. All multifamily rental projects and affordable housing projects will be reviewed against adopted Objective Design Standards, and no discretionary process will be used to reduce the number of units in the project below the number of units permitted by the applicable zoning district.
Progress and Priorities. In 2023, City expedited approval of a 23 -lot tentative map to facilitate the 332 units for RESHAP and 478 units for West Midway at Alameda Point. Forty (40%) percent of all units will be affordable to very -low and low-income households. Staff has also completed the review and update of Objective Design Review Standards. In 2024, the City Council approved revisions to the Subdivision Ordinance to streamline subdivisions for residential projects and bring Alameda ’s ordinance into compliance with Subdivision Map Act and recent changes to State subdivision regulations. Building permits were issued for the Housing Authority’s North Housing project and design review was conducted for the Habitat for Humanity project. In the same year the City issued building permits for 72 market rate multifamily units and 109 affordable multifamily units.
Program 7: Inclusionary Housing Ordinance
Continue to implement the required 15 percent affordable housing requirement on all projects over 5 units in size in Alameda. Consider modifications to the ordinance to lessen or eliminate the 7% moderate income units and increase the 4% requirement for lo w- income units and 4% very low income units, or alter the percentages for each level or required units in some other way, given the larger need for lower income units.
Progress and Priorities. Staff has initiated amendments to the Inclusionary Housing Ordinance, which was adopted 20 years ago, with a working group and consultant team.
The ordinance amendments will reflect ABAG’s technical assistance program, which reflects State law and funding programs. In 2023, the City approved an amendment to the affordable housing agreement for Alameda Landing Phase I to add two additional low income single-family detached units and public space. The City did not enter into any new affordable housing agreements in 2024.
Program 8: Affordable Housing Incentives and Waivers
The City will work with housing developers to expand opportunities for affordable lower - income housing for special -needs groups , including persons with physical and developmental disabilities, single -parent households, large families, extremely low - income households, and persons experiencing homelessness , by creating partnerships, providing incentives, and pursuing funding opportunities. The City also committed to support affordable housing development for special -needs groups throughout the city, including in areas that are predominantly single-family residential. The target populations include seniors; persons with disabilities, including developmental disabilities; single 2024 Annual Report – March 2025
parent-headed households; and homeless persons to reduce the displacement risk for these residents from their existing homes and communities.
Progress and Priorities:
● Amended the Subdivision Ordinance to expedite and reduce permitting costs of residential and affordable housing projects.
● Prepared administrative procedures for the processing of housing developments eligible for streamlined review pursuant to SB 35 and other streamlining laws. ● Continued to support supportive housing projects for homeless individuals, such as the McKay Wellness Center project and the RESHAP project. ● Pursuing partnerships with the Regional Center of the East Bay to identify funding opportunities and promote housing for persons with disabilities. ● In 2024 the City received the State of California P ro-Housing Designation and submitted an application to use Prohousing Incentive Program (PIP) funds for the Day Center (overnight emergency shelter) and Linnett Corner (under construction, permanent supportive housing for senior families and formerly unhoused veterans age 62+).
Program 9: Extremely Low-Income Housing Incentives and Waivers Encourage additional housing resources for extremely low -income Alameda residents, particularly seniors and persons with physical or developmental disabilities. Assist nonprofit and for-profit developers with financial and/or technical assistance in a mann er that is consistent with the City’s identified housing needs. Provide financial support annually, as available, to organizations that provide counseling, information, education, support, housing services/referrals, and/or legal advice to extremely low -income households, persons with disabilities, and persons experiencing homelessness.
Progress and Priorities:
• Continue to support and assist the following projects designed to provide housing for extremely low income households: the McKay Wellness Center Project, the Dignity Village supportive housing project on 5 th Street, the Housing Authority North Housing Phase I, and the RESHAP project at Alameda Point.
• Hold public workshop(s) to consider updates to the inclusionary housing ordinance, local bond measures, and/or other incentives or financial programs to fund housing for extremely low income households and homeless individuals. • Supported Eden Council for Hope and Opportunity, Family Violence Law Center, and Legal Assistance for Seniors, who reduced displacement risk by collectively assisting 235 very-low and low-income households.
• In 2024, the City initiated the process to update its Inclusionary Housing Ordinance.
Program 10: Assistance for Persons with Developmental Disabilities The City will coordinate with the Regional Center of the East Bay to inform Alameda families of the resources available to them and to explore incentives so that a larger number of future housing units include features that meet the needs of persons with developmental disabilities and other special needs. The City will continue to support the development of small group homes that serve developmentally disabled adults and will work with the nonprofit community to encourage the inclusion of units for persons with
2024 Annual Report – March 2025
developmental disabilities in future affordable housing developments. The City will pursue funding sources designated for persons with special needs and disabilities.
Progress and Priorities:
• Establish a semi -regular meeting schedule with Regional Center of the East Bay to discuss potential programs to assist people with developmental disabilities or other special needs.
• Hold public hearings to consider revisions to the Universal Design Ordinance (AMC Section 3018) to address accessibility in townhome residential design. • In 2024, the City initiated the process to update the Universal Design Ordinance.
Program 11: Resources for Persons Experiencing Homelessness The City will continue to provide annual funding assistance to the Midway Shelter, a 24 - bed, service-enriched shelter for women and children, and develop and implement a plan to establish a service -enriched shelter for men in Alameda. Additionally, the Cit y will continue to implement the strategies identified in the “The Road Home: A 5 Year Plan to Prevent and Respond to Homelessness in Alameda” to address homelessness in Alameda.
Progress and Priorities:
• Continue to provide funding for Midway Shelter.
• Begin discussion and planning for a location for a shelter for men in Alameda. • The City provided $137,622 to support Midway Shelter program operations. While the City has identified a new site for the shelter, construction is not anticipated to begin until 2030.
• In 2024, Building Futures with Women and Children completed major renovations at the Midway Shelter.
Program 12: Fair Housing Programs
Continue to affirmatively further fair housing. Continue to support the Rent Program (Alameda’s Fair Housing and Tenant Protection Ordinance) efforts to prevent displacement and moderate rent increases for tenants of all income levels.
Progress and Priorities:
• Continue to enforce the Fair Housing and Tenant Protection Ordinance. • The City hosted the annual Fair Housing Conference with 86 participants. • The Prosecution and Public Rights Unit received 49 fair -housing complaints, of which 19 were found in violation and resolved using the Mediation Program, with $51,571 recovered for tenants (the remaining cases remain open or were resolved without finding a violation). The Unit responded to 1,309 inquiries regarding fair housing-related issues. • The City continues to cover Rent Program’s annual fee for all rental units leased to Housing Choice Voucher recipients as an incentive to encourage landlord participation. • In 2024, of the 98 new rent-subsidized tenancies registered, 58 were located in highest- or high-resource census tracts, as designated by TCAC/HCD.
2024 Annual Report – March 2025
Program 13: Tenant Protections
The City will take actions to reduce displacement risk due to discriminatory actions.
Ensure all tenants have access to legal counseling, and landlords are aware of their rights and responsibilities. Support coordination of biannual workshops for landlords and property managers on discriminatory practices, reasonable accommodation requirements, and resources and an annual presentation to staff on fair housing practices, beginning in 2023. Continue to enforce just cause eviction ordinance requirements to reduce displacement due to discrimination and enforce anti -discrimination regulations.
Distribute clear actionable information regarding tenant protections to all landlords and tenants at least annually on the City’s website, through social media, and other standard City information outlets.
Progress and Priorities:
• Continue to provide and improve tenant protection programs. • The City assisted 146 tenants through the Fair Housing Counseling Program. • The Prosecution and Public Rights Unit received and reviewed 49 new housing cases.
These complaints include reports of wrongful eviction, tenant harassment, and various forms of housing discrimination.
• In 2024, the City continued enforcement of tenant protections through its Rent Program.
Program 14: Replacement Housing
To facilitate place-based revitalization for households at risk of displacement due to new development, the City will require replacement housing units subject to the requirements of Government Code, Section 65915, subdivision (c)(3), when any new developm ent (residential, mixed-use, or nonresidential) occurs on a site that has been occupied by or restricted for the use of lower -income households at any time during the previous five years. This requirement applies to non -vacant sites and vacant sites with p revious residential uses that have been vacated or demolished.
Progress and Priorities:
• Continue to require replacement housing units subject to the requirements of Government Code, Section 65915.
• In 2024, the City continued implementation of this program and no replacement units were identified.
Program 15: Affordable Housing Monitoring
The City shall maintain and update the affordable housing database as a mechanism to monitor and identify units at risk of losing their affordability subsidies or requirements. For complexes at risk of converting to market rate, the City shall contact property owners of units at risk of converting to market -rate housing within three years of affordability expiration to discuss the City’s desire to preserve complexes as affordable housing.
Coordinate with owners of expiring subsidies to ensure the required notices to tenants are sent out at 3 years, 12 months, and 6 months. Work with tenants to provide education regarding tenant rights and conversion procedures pursuant to California and local Alameda law.
2024 Annual Report – March 2025
Progress and Priorities:
• Continue to monitor the deed restricted affordable housing stock. • In 2024, the City continued implementation of this program and at -risk units were identified.
Program 16: First-Time Homebuyer Program
The Housing and Human Services Department will continue to assist first time home buyers by participating in the Alameda County Housing & Community Development Department Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC) and Down Payment Assistance (DPA) programs, which provides down payment assistance to low- and moderate-income first- time homebuyers, and homebuyer workshops. The Housing and Human Services Department will advertise this program through mailers or similar strategies in areas with high rates of renter -occupied households, such as in west Alameda, to increase awareness of housing mobility opportunities. The City will assist lower -income residents locate affordable housing opportunities, such as through a database or website of retail listings, realtor contact information, or other strategies.
Progress and Priorities:
• Continue to assist first-time homebuyers.
• One Alameda first-time homebuyer obtained down payment assistance in 2024. • The Rent Program staff intervened in 80 cases to ensure the rescission of invalid rent increases, resulting in $125,918 in reimbursement to tenants. • Staff provided resources to 389 tenants seeking guidance on termination of tenancy and evictions. 18 invalid terminations of tenancy not in compliance with local law were reviewed and rescinded.
• In 2024, the City h osted two workshops each month, with 51 people attending, and provided tenant protection information at alamedarentprogram.org, which logged more than 35,000 visitors.
Program 17: Neighborhood Revitalization
The City shall continue to assist in the improvement of lower income owner - and renter- occupied housing units in the city through a variety of programs that provide funding to lower income households to create new lower income rental units in existing vacant or underutilized residential structures, to repair and improve their homes, assist property owners with low- and very-low-income tenants repair and improve their units, and assist eligible seniors and persons with disabilities in making modifications to their residences.
Programs include: the Rental Rehabilitation Program, the Housing Rehabilitation Program, the Substantial Rehabilitation Program, the Soft Story Structural Assessm ent Grant, the Fire Department’s Housing Safety Program, the Minor Home Repair Program, the Accessibility Modification Program, and the Amnesty Program.
For the purpose of discouraging removal of residential units from the housing supply, research and present the potential benefits and mechanics of adopting a Vacancy Tax on vacant residential buildings or units at a public hearing before the Planning Board by July 2024, at which the Planning Board may make a recommendation to the City Council. 2024 Annual Report – March 2025
When considering a potential vacancy tax, also consider existing AMC Section 13 -15 Boarded Building and Vacant Parcel Monitoring Fee.
Progress and Priorities:
• Continue to implement the City’s neighborhood revitalization programs. • Consider public discussion of the merits of a Vacancy Tax on vacant residential buildings. The City did not have adequate staff resources to prioritize the workshop in 2024. A vacancy tax was overturned in San Francisco Superior Court; it is prudent to wait for that case to proceed through the appellate courts before initiating a local tax. A vacant building monitoring fee will be added to the master fee schedule in 2025.
Program 18: Utility Assistance Programs
Alameda Municipal Power (AMP) will continue to provide funding assistance to lower income households in need of help with their electric bills. Fund at least $150,000 annually to lower income households to reduce displacement risk due to utility costs.
Progress and Priorities:
• Continue to implement the Utility Assistance program. • In 2024 the Energy Assistance Program (EAP) provided $202,066 by way of a 25% discount on income qualified customer’s electric utility bills. • The Energy Assistance through Supportive Efforts (EASE) provided $28,757 for short-term emergency assistance to residential customers who are unable to pay their electricity bill and/or at risk of having their power shut off. • The Low Income Housing Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) provided $72,157 for additional assistance/payments towards customer’s electricity bill funded by the US Department of Health and Human Services.
• The total in 2024 for all of these programs was $302,980.
Program 19: Promote Energy Conservation
Continue to offer residential customer energy services that include the weatherization cash grant program, rebate program for energy efficient lights, meter lending program, rebate program for energy efficient appliances, second refrigerator pickup progr am, free energy audits, energy Assistance Program to help low -income residents reduce their energy use. Provide annual funding in the amount of $150,000 to lower income households to promote rehabilitation through weatherization or other energy conservation measures for at least 15 households.
Progress and Priorities:
• Continue to implement the Energy Conservation program. • In 2024, the City provided 65 low income direct install energy audits to lower - income households and 115 electrification and energy efficiency rebate incentives to residential customers for a total amount of $280,000.
Program 20: Environmental Health
Facilitate place-based revitalization of neighborhoods, such as the NAS Alameda Priority Development Area in west Alameda and the Northern Waterfront Priority Development
2024 Annual Report – March 2025
Area along the Estuary, which are more heavily impacted by hazardous wastes from prior industrial uses, lead based paint remediation, diesel particulate matter from proximity to regional freeways and the Port of Oakland. Continue to work with the US Navy, DTSC, and property owners to remove hazardous materials, such as lead based paint and other hazards resulting from prior uses in West Alameda and the Northern Waterfront.
Progress and Priorities:
• Continue to work with local property owners and regional and national agencies to improve environmental health.
• In 2024, the City continued implementation of this program and facilitated DTSC remediation processes for the third phase of the Alameda Marina Master Plan development project.
Program 21: Municipal Code Amendments to Remove Constraints The City will annually review, and amend as necessary, the Municipal Code to ensure consistency with State Housing Law requirements and remove or lessen constraints on new housing development, pertaining to, but not limited to emergency shelters, transitional and supportive housing, Low -Barrier Navigation Centers, and Residential Care Facilities.
Progress and Priorities:
• Continually evaluate code provisions for unnecessary or inappropriate constraints on housing.
• In 2024, the City initiated efforts to update the Inclusionary Housing Ordinance and the Universal Design Ordinance.
Program 22: Annual Review, Monitoring, and the 5-Year Pipeline Report The Planning Board shall hold an annual public hearing in February or March to evaluate progress toward meeting housing goals and regional housing needs obligations. The review will examine annual quantitative housing production goals and monitor vacant and non-vacant sites in the sites inventory, and if the City is not meeting those quantitative goals, the staff will make recommendation to the Planning Board on adjustments to processes or requirements to improve performance. At the public hearing, the Plan ning Board will make recommendations for City Council consideration and action.
The annual review will include a review of the Annual Progress Report on the Housing Element implementation in the format required by HCD as defined by Government Code Section 65400(a)(2).
Progress and Priorities:
• Hold a public hearing to evaluate housing goals, accomplishment, and priorities for the upcoming year.
• Alameda Housing Authority North Housing and Webster Street Projects: Support the Alameda Housing Authority’s efforts to provide low income affordable housing at the North Housing site and on Webster Street at the Hawthorne Suites site.
2024 Annual Report – March 2025
Progress: The North Housing site received entitlements and is proceeding with site preparation and plan review for phased construction of permanent supportive housing and senior housing. Phase I, including a veterans transitional housing project and a senior housi ng project, is under construction. The Planning Board approved a use permit for the Hawthorne Suites project to convert hotel rooms to supportive transitional housing units. Unfortunately, the project did not receive necessary funding to move forward.
• RESHAP Project. Complete the necessary amendments to the RESHAP Development Plan and Development Agreement in support of construction of 309 lower income and special needs households and the associated support services and facilities on 10 acres of City-owned land at Alameda Point.
Progress: Entitlement amendments were approved by the Planning Board and the City Council in December 2023.
• West Midway Project. Complete a Site Development Plan for the West Midway project on 23 acres of City-owned land at Alameda Point.
Progress: The project received approval and is proceeding to phased development of the necessary infrastructure, affordable housing and community resource features, as well as the market rate housing.
• Housing Regulations: Hold public hearings to consider amendments to the:
o Subdivision Ordinance (AMC Article VI) to reduce process and permitting costs for housing projects requiring lot line adjustments, parcel maps, or tentative maps.
Progress: An ordinance was reviewed and recommended by the Planning Board and was adopted by the City Council in early 2024.
o Inclusionary Housing Ordinance (AMC Section 30-16) to focus inclusionary requirements on the income groups with the greatest need for deed restricted housing.
Progress: A working group has been formed and a consultant hired to study revisions to the ordinance and bring a draft to the Planning Board and City Council in mid-2025.
o Universal Design Ordinance (AMC Section 30-18) to address accessibility and visitability in townhome residential design.
Progress: A working group is being formed and a workscope is being formulated to study revisions to the ordinance and bring a draft to the Planning Board and City Council in early 2025.
2024 Annual Report – March 2025
o Short Term Rental Ordinance to preserve Alameda’s permanent rental housing supply.
Progress: Research has been conducted and a consultant has been hired to prepare an ordinance and bring a draft to the Planning Board and City Council in early 2025.