Belmont City Council
September 26, 2023

2023-2031 Housing Element
Update
September 26, 2023
Housing Element Update Process
September 26, 2023 2023-2031 Housing Element 2
• Housing Elements are required to be updated every 8 years • Prior Housing Element was adopted in 2015
• Update process for 2023-2031 cycle began in 2021
• Robust public process to review sites inventory and proposed City actions to achieve buildout
• City submitted a draft to the State for review in August 2022 • Adopted the Housing Element in January 2023
• Submitted to State for certification
• State provided second round of comments in April 2023 • Most jurisdictions are in similar situation – multiple rounds of comments have been the norm, not the exception
Summary of Comments
September 26, 2023 2023-2031 Housing Element 3
• Majority of comments required more robust detail
and justification for our findings/analysis
• No changes requested to the sites inventory or to any proposed action
• Most jurisdictions have received similar comments
• Analysis added on:
• Resources available to support different household types • Infrastructure capacity for new development
• Development review process
• Justification for sites inventory and development capacity • Updated pipeline development info to demonstrate
progress since January
Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing
September 26, 2023 2023-2031 Housing Element 4
• State found our “AFFH” strategy to be incomplete
• Defined as taking meaningful actions that “overcome
patterns of segregation and foster inclusive communities free from barriers that restrict access to opportunity” for communities of color, persons with disabilities, and others protected by California law
• Mandatory component of all Housing Elements
• State requested the City add actions to encourage
development of more housing choices and affordable
housing throughout the City
• Focus of new actions is to ease barriers to second unit development in single-family areas of the City
Proposed Housing Policies
ADU Financial Incentives
September 26, 2023 2023-2031 Housing Element 6
• New program to provide financial assistance for ADU
construction, likely as a forgivable loan
• In exchange, property-owner would agree to rent
property to a low-income household for a period of
time
• Program details would need to be determined during
implementation process
• City previously committed to exploring a regional
program
• This takes it one step further by pledging our local
housing funds and potentially launching a pilot sooner
Allowing Conversion to 2-Units
September 26, 2023 2023-2031 Housing Element 7
• ADU construction is already allowed by State law for single- family properties • ADUs have maximum size restrictions making them
“accessory” to the main unit
• This policy would allow homes to be split into 2-units, within their existing footprint without restricting the unit size
• This allows larger properties to be split into two more evenly sized units, but does not require a parcel lot split • Creates more missing-middle housing opportunities
throughout the City
Staff Recommendation/Next Steps
September 26, 2023 2023-2031 Housing Element 8
• These actions were recommended based on their
inclusion in other approved Housing Elements
• Both actions likely needed for State approval
• Staff seeking City Council direction on adding these
actions to Belmont’s Housing Element
• Proposed revisions to be submitted to the State in
early October as a “draft” for review
• If approved for certification, Planning Commission and City Council will need to adopt an Amended Housing
Element
Thank you
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