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City of Desert Hot Springs
AGENDA
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
and the City Council Serving as the Successor Agency to the Former Redevelopment Agency Board
Tuesday, April 4, 2023
4:30 PM - Closed Session
5:30 PM - Presentations
6:00 PM - Regular Session
Council Chambers/City Hall
11-999 Palm Drive
Desert Hot Springs, California, 92240
Page
CLOSED SESSION - 4:30 P.M.
CALL TO ORDER
ROLL CALL
PUBLIC COMMENTS
At this time, item(s) on the Closed Session agenda may be discussed during Public Comments. PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD.
CLOSED SESSION:
1. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL—EXISTING LITIGATION
(Paragraph (1) of subdivision (d) of Section 54956.9)
Name of case: Supporters Alliance for Environmental Responsibility (SAFER) v. City of Desert Hot Springs, et al, Riverside County Court Case Number CVPS2300062
2. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL—EXISTING LITIGATION
(Paragraph (1) of subdivision (d) of Section 54956.9)
Name of case: Sierra Club v. City of Desert Hot Springs, et al, Riverside County Court Case Number CVPS2300057
3. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - ANTICIPATED
LITIGATION
Initiation of Litigation pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision (d) of Section 54956.9: One Case
4. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL—EXISTING LITIGATION
(Paragraph (1) of subdivision (d) of Section 54956.9)
Name of case: (Desert Hot Springs Real Properties, Inc. v. City of Desert Hot Springs et al.; Riverside Superior Court Case Number CVPS2300254)
5. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8:
Property: 11691 West Dr, Desert Hot Springs, CA 92240
Agency Negotiator: Doria Wilms, Interim City Manager
Jennifer Mizrahi, City Attorney
Negotiating Parties: County of Riverside
Under Negotiation: Price and Terms
6. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS
(Government Code Section 54957.6)
Unrepresented employee: City Manager
RECESS
PRESENTATIONS - 5:30 P.M.
Certificate Presented to John Hampson in Recognition of his Contributions to Desert Hot Springs AYSO
Retirement Recognition for Fire Captain, Frank Stewart
Desert Hot Springs Taco Tour 2023
REGULAR SESSION - 6:00 P.M.
CALL TO ORDER
ROLL CALL
INVOCATION
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
CITY ATTORNEY REPORT ON CLOSED SESSION
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
At this time the City Council may amend the order of the agenda, approve the Consent Calendar, remove items from the Consent Calendar for separate discussion and action, and add Urgency Items.
Urgency Items ("Added Starters"): The Brown Act, which governs public meetings, permits the City Council to take action on any item that does not appear on the agenda only if 2/3 of the City Council (if all are present) or all members of the City Council (if fewer than all members are present) determine there is a need to take immediate action on the item, and the need to take immediate action came to the City Council's attention after the agenda was posted.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
At this time, pursuant to the Brown Act, any person may comment on matters of general interest within the subject matter jurisdiction of the City Council, NOT listed on the agenda. Under the Brown Act, the City Council should not take action on or discuss matters raised during Public Comment portion of the agenda that are not listed on the agenda.
Comments are limited to the first ten (10) speakers at three (3) minutes per speaker. Speakers may not yield their time to others without consent of the Mayor. All comments are to be directed to the City Council and shall be devoid of any personal attacks. Members of the public are expected to maintain a professional, courteous decorum during public comments.
Please complete and submit a "speaker card" to the City Clerk. You will be asked to STATE YOUR NAME AND CITY OF RESIDENCE FOR THE RECORD.
CITY MANAGER REPORT
MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
7. Amendments to the Housing Element for the 6th Cycle (2021-2029) Travis Clark, Interim Community Development Director
Recommendation:
1) Staff Report;
2) Entertain questions of Staff from the City Council;
3) Open the Public Hearing;
4) Take testimony from those in favor;
5) Take testimony from those opposed;
6) Take testimony from those in a neutral position;
7) Close the Public Hearing;
8) City Council discussion; and
9) Adopt a Resolution of the City Council to:1) Find the City’s previous determination that the Project (the Housing Element for the 6th Cycle) is Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act stands, because the amendments will not change the reasons for the Exemption; and 2) Adopt the amendments to the Housing Element for the 6th Cycle (2021- 2029).
Staff Report - SR-23-068 - Pdf
7 - 260
ADMINISTRATIVE CALENDAR:
8. Proposed Temporary Reduction in Cannabis Cultivation Tax Sean Smith, Economic Development Director
Recommendation:
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1) Provide direction on a proposed temporary reduction in the cannabis cultivation tax rate for the current tax period of January 1, 2023 - June 30, 2023; and
261 - 262
2) Direct staff to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the Desert Hot Springs cannabis industry and present findings and associated recommendations to the City Council.
Staff Report - SR-23-074 - Pdf
9. Proposed Revisions to the "City Council and Commissions Meeting Guidelines and Procedures"
City Council Sub-Committee on Policy and Procedures: Councilmember, Gary Gardner; and Councilmember, Jan Pye
Recommendation:
1) That the City Council take any action as it deems fit related to the Council Policies and Guidelines, excepting out Section 13.2, which shall be taken in a separate action; and
2) That the City Council take any action as it deems fit pertaining to Section 13.2.
Staff Report - SR-23-072 - Pdf
263 - 283
CONSENT CALENDAR:
Matters on the "Consent Calendar" are considered routine and may be acted upon by one motion under "Approval of the Agenda." Individual items may also be removed by the City Council for separate discussion under "Approval of the Agenda." The title is deemed to be read and further reading waived on any ordinance listed on the Consent Calendar for second reading and adoption.
10. City Council Regular Meeting Minutes: March 21, 2023 Jerryl Soriano, City Clerk
Recommendation: Approve the Minutes as presented; or as corrected.
Staff Report - SR-23-073 - Pdf
285 - 293
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Opportunity is given to those members of the public who have NOT addressed the City Council on an item which is NOT on the agenda. Comments are limited to three (3) minutes per speaker. PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND CITY OF RESIDENCE FOR THE RECORD.
ADJOURN
UPCOMING MEETING DATES
*Please refer to the City website calendar at www.cityofdhs.org for meeting locations and the most up to date information.
April 11 Planning Commission 6:00 p.m.
April 13 Public Safety Commission 6:00 p.m.
April 18 City Council Regular Meeting 6:00 p.m.
May 2 City Council Regular Meeting 6:00 p.m.
________________________________________________________________________________________
NOTICES
In accordance with California Government Code Section 54957.5, any writing or document that is a public record, relates to an open session agenda item, and is distributed less than 72 hours prior to a regular meeting will be made available for public inspection in the Office of the City Clerk at City Hall during normal business hours at 11999 Palm Drive, Desert Hot Springs, CA 92240.
If, however, the document or writing is not distributed until the regular meeting to which it relates, then the document or writing will be made available to the public at the location of the meeting, as listed on this agenda at 11999 Palm Drive, Desert Hot Springs, CA 92240.
Americans with Disabilities Act
In an effort to comply with the requirements of Title 2 of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the City of Desert Hot Springs requires that any person in need of any type of special equipment, assistance, or accommodation(s) in order to communicate at a City public meeting, must inform the City Clerk a minimum of 72 hours prior to the scheduled meeting to enable the City to make reasonable arrangements.
SR-23-068
City of Desert Hot Springs
City Council
AGENDA ITEM REPORT
To: City Council
Date: April 4, 2023
Department: Community Development
Prepared by: Travis Clark, Community Development Director Subject: Amendments to the Housing Element for the 6th Cycle (2021-2029) RECOMMENDATION:
1) Staff Report;
2) Entertain questions of Staff from the City Council;
3) Open the Public Hearing;
4) Take testimony from those in favor;
5) Take testimony from those opposed;
6) Take testimony from those in a neutral position;
7) Close the Public Hearing;
8) City Council discussion; and
9) Adopt a Resolution of the City Council to:1) Find the City’s previous determination that the Project (the Housing Element for the 6th Cycle) is Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act stands, because the amendments will not change the reasons for the Exemption; and 2) Adopt the amendments to the Housing Element for the 6th Cycle (2021-2029).
BACKGROUND:
State law requires cities to update their General Plan Housing Element on a specific schedule. After the City Council adopted the Housing Element in November, 2022, it was sent to the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) for their review and approval. On January 12th, 2023, the City of Desert Hot Springs received approval from HCD for the adopted housing element, finding it in full compliance with State Housing Element Law (Article 10.6 of the Gov. Code). In its discussion with HCD during the review period, the City and its consultant found an error and made one correction to the Element: that vacant inventory sites to accommodate the lower-income regional housing needs allocation (RHNA) were not identified in the two previous planning periods (Page C-13). These sites are therefore not required to be rezoned as provided in Program 1.2. The Housing Element is being amended to correct text regarding prior use of vacant sites, and to delete Program 1.2 (Page II-4), as it is no longer required, consistent with the letter of approval received on January 12th, 2023.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS:
In November of 2022, when the City Council adopted the Housing Element, it found that:
Item Number: 7.
SR-23-068
1. The Project is exempt from the CEQA guidelines14 Cal. Code. Regs Section 15061(b)(3) because it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the adoption of this Resolution in question may have a significant effect on the environment as set forth in Section 21080.17 of the Public Resources Code.” The Project involves policies, programs, and actions to meet the City’s RHNA allocation that either would not cause a significant effect on the environment or incorporates actions that have already been taken by the City pursuant to General Plan Amendment, as defined below.
2. The Project is exempt pursuant to 14 Cal. Code. Regs Section 15162(a) of the CEQA Guidelines, once an EIR has been certified, no subsequent environmental review needs to be completed unless there are substantial changes in the project that warrant additional review. After a duly noticed public hearing, on May 26, 2020, the City Council adopted and approved a General Plan Amendment. Pursuant to the CEQA, Public Resources Code Sections 21000, et seq., and its implementing regulations, California Code of Regulations Section 15000, et seq., the City, acting as Lead Agency, reviewed and certified a draft Environmental Impact Report (State Clearinghouse number 2019080101) prepared for the proposed General Plan Amendment and determined that, following the implementation of certain mitigated measures.
3. To the extent the Regional Housing Needs determinations are made, the Project is further exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) guidelines14 Cal. Code. Regs Section 15283, which provides, “CEQA does not apply to regional housing needs determinations made by the Department of Housing and Community Development, a council of governments, or a city or county pursuant to Section 65584 of the Government Code.” Since the City Council made this determination, changes have been made to the Housing Element which are not substantive, and which do not change the evidence provided above in support on an exemption. Therefore, the adoption of the Amended Housing Element remains Exempt from CEQA pursuant to Guidelines Sections 15061(b)(3), 15162(a) and 15283, and no further review under CEQA is required.
ATTACHMENTS:
EXHIBIT 1 - Draft Housing Element (Redline Version)
EXHIBIT 2 - HCD Letter January 12 2023
EXHIBIT 3 - Resolution for Text Change to Housing Element Item Number: 7.
CITY OF DESERT HOT SPRINGS
2021-2029 HOUSING ELEMENT
JULY 26, 2022MARCH 2023
Item Number: 7.
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Table of Contents
SECTION I INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................I-8 A. BACKGROUND ..............................................................................................................I-8 B. GOVERNMENT CODE REQUIREMENTS.....................................................................I-8 C. ORGANIZATION OF THE HOUSING ELEMENT...........................................................I-9 D. HOUSING ELEMENT CONSISTENCY WITH OTHER GENERAL PLAN ELEMENTS .I-9 E. WATER AND SEWER PRIORITY ................................................................................I-10 F. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION AND CONSULTATION.......................................................I-10 SECTION II HOUSING PROGRAM .........................................................................................II-1 PROGRAM CATEGORY #1: ACTIONS TO MAKE SIES AVAILABLE TO ACCOMMODATE THE RHNA.............................................................................................................................. II-3 PROGRAM CATEGORY #2: ASSIST IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF ADEQUATE HOUSING TO MEET THE EEDS OF ALL ECONOMIC SEGMENTS...................................................... II-6 PROGRAM CATEGORY #3: ADDRESS AND REMOVE GOVERNMENTAL AND NONGOVERNMENTAL HOUSING CONSTRAINTS ........................................................... II-13 PROGRAM CATEGORY #4: CONSERVE AND IMPROVE THE CONDITION OF THE EXISTING STOCK................................................................................................................ II-16 PROGRAM CATEGORY #5: PROMOTE AND AFFIRMATIVELY FURTHER HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL PERSONS.............................................................................. II-18 APPENDIX A ASSESSMENT OF HOUSING NEEDS............................................................ A-1 A. INTRODUCTION ...........................................................................................................A-3 B. HOUSING CHARACTERISTICS ...................................................................................A-3 C. HOUSEHOLD CHARACTERISITICS ............................................................................A-6 D. AT RISK HOUSING .................................................................................................... A-12 E. SPECIAL HOUSING NEEDS...................................................................................... A-12 F. PROJECTED HOUSING NEEDS............................................................................... A-32 APPENDIX B. ASSESSMENT OF FAIR HOUSING................................................................ B-1 A. GOVERNMENT CODE REQUIREMENTS....................................................................B-1 B. FAIR HOUSING PROTECTED CHARACTERISTICS AND PROTECTED CLASSES .B-5 C. DEFINITIONS OF FAIR HOUSING PROTECTED CLASSES AND DISCRIMINATION EXAMPLES....................................................................................................................B-6 D. DEMOGRAPHIC SUMMARY ........................................................................................B-8 E. DEFINING THE REGION FOR CITY TO REGION COMPARISONS......................... B-20 Item Number: 7.
ii
F. SEGREGATION/INTEGRATION ANALYSIS ............................................................. B-26 G. INTEGRATION/SEGREGATION BY INCOME (PATTERNS AND TRENDS)............ B-36 H. RACIALLY/ETHNICALLY CONCENTRATED AREAS OF POVERTY....................... B-39 I. DISPARITIES IN Regional Access to Opportunity...................................................... B-45 J. CVAG REGION AND CITY ACCESS TO OPPORTUNITY ANALYSIS ..................... B-50 K. DISPROPORTIONATE HOUSING NEEDS................................................................ B-54 L. DISPLACEMENT RISK............................................................................................... B-59 M. FAIR HOUSING ENFORCEMENT, OUTREACH AND RESOURCES ANALYSIS.... B-61 N. FAIR HOUSING ISSUES AND CONTRIBUTING FACTORS..................................... B-65 O. FAIR HOUSING PRIORITIES, GOALS AND STRATEGIES...................................... B-68 APPENDIX C SITES INVENTORY AND ANALYSIS ............................................................. C-1 A. GOVERNMENT CODE REQUIREMENTS................................................................... C-1 B. CRITERIA THAT DETERMINE “ADEQUATE” HOUSING SITES ................................ C-1 C. SITES TO ACCOMMODATE THE ABOVE MODERATE INCOME RHNA OF 2,081 HOUSING UNITS ......................................................................................................... C-4 D. SITES TO ACCOMMODATE THE MODERATE INCOME RHNA OF 688 HOUSING UNITS ......................................................................................................................... C-12 E. SITES TO ACCOMMODATE THE LOWER INCOME RHNA OF 1,104 HOUSING UNITS ......................................................................................................................... C-13 F. SITES TO AFFIRMATIVELY FURTHER FAIR HOUSING ......................................... C-18 G. AVAILABILITY OF INFRASTRUCTURE .................................................................... C-27 H. DRY UTILITIES........................................................................................................... C-31 I. ENVIRONMENTAL CONSTRAINTS .......................................................................... C-31 APPENDIX D GOVERNMENTAL CONSTRAINGS ANALYSIS ............................................ D-1 A. SCOPE OF THE GOVERNMENTAL CONSTRAINTS ANALYSIS............................... D-1 B. ZONE DISTRICTS PERMITTING A VARIETY OF HOUSING TYPES ........................ D-2 C. LAND USE CONTROLS............................................................................................... D-7 D. BUILDING CODES AND THEIR ENFORCEMENT .................................................... D-11 E. ON- AND OFF-SITE IMPROVEMENTS ..................................................................... D-11 F. FEES AND OTHER EXACTIONS............................................................................... D-12 G. CITY PROCESSING AND PERMIT PROCEDURES.................................................. D-14 H. ANALYSIS OF ADOPTED ORDINANCES THAT DIRECTLY IMPACT ING THE COST AND SUPPLY OF HOUSING ..................................................................................... D-16 Item Number: 7.
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I. DESCRIPTION OF EFFORTS TO REMOVE GOVERNMENTAL CONSTRAINTS THAT
HINDER THE CITY FROM MEETING ITS SHARE OF THE REGIONAL HOUSING NEED .......................................................................................................................... D-16 J. DESCRIPTION OF EFFORTS TO REMOVE GOVERNMENTAL CONSTRAINTS THAT HINDER THE CITY FROM MEETING SPECIAL HOUSING NEEDS ........................ D-16 K. GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 65940.1................................................................ D-18 APPENDIX E. ANALYSIS OF NONGOVERNMENTAL CONSTRAINTS ................................E-1 A. INTRODUCTION ...........................................................................................................E-1 B. AVAILABILITY OF FINANCING.....................................................................................E-1 C. PRICE OF LAND ...........................................................................................................E-6 D. COST OF CONSTRUCTION .........................................................................................E-6 E. COMPONENTS OF TOTAL DEVELOPMENT COSTS.................................................E-7 F. COST OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING ............................................................................E-7 G. HOUSING PRICES AND RENTS..................................................................................E-8 H. REQUESTS TO DEVELOP HOUSING AT DENSITIES BELOW THOSE STATED IN THE SITES INVENTORY AND ANALYSIS (GOVERNMENT CODE 65583.2(C)...... E-12 I. LENGTH OF TIME BETWEEN RECEIVING APPROVAL FOR A HOUSING
DEVELOPMENT AND SUBMITTAL OF AN APPLICATION FOR BUILDING PERMITS.................................................................................................................... E-12 J. EFFORTS TO REMOVE NONGOVERNMENTAL CONSTRAINTS CREATING A GAP BETWEEN THE PLANNING FOR AND CONSTRUCTION OF HOUSING................ E-13 APPENDIX F HOUSING RESOURCES...................................................................................F-1 A. FINANCIAL RESOURCES ............................................................................................F-1 B. ADMINISTRATIVE RESOURCES.................................................................................F-6 APPENDIX G PROGRESS REPORT ..................................................................................... G-1 A. GOVERNMENT CODE REQUIREMENTS................................................................... G-1 B. APPROPRIATENESS OF GOALS, OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES............................. G-1 C. EFFECTIVENESS OF THE ELEMENT ........................................................................ G-2 D. PROGRESS IN IMPLEMENTATION ............................................................................ G-2 Index of Tables
Table II-1 City of Desert Hot Springs 2021-2029 Housing Program .....................................II-2 Table II-2 City of Desert Hot Springs - Assessment of Housing Need Summary..................II-7 Table II-3 Coachella Valley Association of Governments CVAG REAP Subregion Lower Income RHNA: 2021-2029 ..................................................................................II-11 Table II-4 City of Desert Hot Springs Quantified Objectives 2021=2029 ............................II-26 Item Number: 7.
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Table A-1 City of Desert Hot Springs Housing Stock by Type of Unit January 1, 2021 ........A-4 Table A-2 City of Desert Hot Springs Tenure by Units in Structure: 2015-2019....................A-7 Table A-3 Riverside County 2021 Annual Household Income Limits Adjusted by Household Size .......................................................................................................................A-8 Table A-4 City of Desert Hot Springs Annual Household Income Distribution by Tenure: 2013- 2017 ......................................................................................................................A-8 Table A-5 City of Desert Hot Springs Number and Percentage of Renters Cost Burdened by Income Group: 2013-2017 ....................................................................................A-9 Table A-6 City of Desert Hot Springs Number and Percentage of Owners Cost Burdened by Income Group: 2013-2017 ................................................................................. A-10 Table A-7 City of Desert Hot Springs Persons per Room by Tenure – 2015-2019 ............ A-11 Table A-8 City of Desert Hot Springs Elderly Population by Age Group and Sex:
2015-2019 .......................................................................................................... A-13 Table A-9 City of Desert Hot Springs Elderly Households by Tenure: 2015-2019 ............. A-13 Table A-10 City of Desert Hot Springs Elderly Households 65 Years+ by Tenure And Household Type: 2015-2019.............................................................................. A-14 Table A-11 City of Desert Hot Springs Elderly Population Experiencing Multiple Falls: 2015- 2019 ................................................................................................................... A-17 Table A-12 City of Desert Hot Springs Estimate of Frail Elderly Population by Age Group:
2015-2019 .......................................................................................................... A-17 Table A-13 City of Desert Hot Springs Disability Prevalence Rates by Age Group:
2015-2019 .......................................................................................................... A-21 Table A-14 City of Desert Hot Springs Disabled Householders: 2015-2019 ........................ A-21 Table A-15 City of Desert Hot Springs Living Quarters of Persons With Developmental Disabilities: End of June 2019............................................................................ A-25 Table A-16 City of Desert Hot Springs Tenure by Household Size: 2015-2019 ................... A-27 Table A-17 SCAG Region: Final Regional Housing Needs Assessment June 30, 2021 October 15, 2029 ............................................................................................... A-33 Table A-18 City of Desert Hot Springs Share of Regional Housing Needs June 30, 2021 – October 15, 2029 ............................................................................................... A-35 Table B-1 City of Desert Hot Springs Population Growth by Race and Ethnicity: 2010 to 2015- 2019 ................................................................................................................... B-10 Table B-2 City of Desert Hot Springs Race of Hispanic or Latino and Not Hispanic or Latino Populations: 2015-2019 ..................................................................................... B-12 Table B-3 City of Desert Hot Springs Number of Households by Type: 2015-2019........... B-13 Table B-4 City of Desert Hot Springs.................................................................................. B-14 Table B-5 City of Desert Hot Springs Persons of Hispanic Origin: 2010 and 2015-2019... B-14 Table B-6 City of Desert Hot Springs Origins of Asian Population: 2015-2019 .................. B-15 Table B-7 City of Desert Hot Springs Households with Children: 2015-2019..................... B-16 Table B-8 City of Desert Hot Springs Disability Prevalence Rates by Age Group:
2015-2019 .......................................................................................................... B-17 Table B-9 B-City of Desert Hot Springs Disabled Householders: 2015-2019..................... B-18 Item Number: 7.
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Table B-10 City of Desert Hot Springs Limited English Speaking Households: 2015-2019 . B-19 Table B-11 Dissimilarity Index Example ............................................................................... B-30 Table B-12 Levels of Segregation ........................................................................................ B-30 Table B-13 Riverside/San Bernardino Counties Region Dissimilarity Indices: 1990, 2000, and 2010 ................................................................................................................... B-31 Table B-14 City of Desert Hot Springs Index of Dissimilarity................................................ B-31 Table B-15 City of Desert Hot Springs Population by Race and Ethnicity: 2010-2019......... B-32 Table B-16 City of Desert Hot Springs Segregation/Integration Analysis of Households with a Disabled Member............................................................................................... B-35 Table B-17 City of Desert Hot Springs Segregation/Integration Analysis of Households with Children.............................................................................................................. B-36 Table B-18 Median Household Income by Area: 2010-2014 and 2015-2019....................... B-37 Table B-19 Low Mod Income Population by County............................................................. B-37 Table B-20 City of Desert Hot Springs Low/Mod Income Comparison 2006-2010 and 2011- 2015 ................................................................................................................... B-38 Table B-21 Income Inequality Measures by Region and Area: 2015-2019 .......................... B-39 Table B-22 Riverside County R/ECAPs: 2015-2019 ............................................................ B-41 Table B-23 City of Desert Hot Springs Racially/Ethnically Concentrated Areas of Poverty:
2015-2019 .......................................................................................................... B-42 Table B-24 Regional (CBSA) Access to Opportunity Index Scores...................................... B-49 Table B-25 CVAG Neighborhood Resource Categories by City (Number) .......................... B-51 Table B-26 CVAG Neighborhood Resource Categories by City (Percent)........................... B-52 Table B-27 Riverside County Population Growth: 2020-2030 ............................................. B-54 Table B-28 City of Desert Hot Springs Extremely Low Income Households by Race/Ethnicity:
2012-2016 .......................................................................................................... B-55 Table B-29 City of Desert Hot Springs Very Low Income (<50% AMI) Cost Burden and Severe Cost Burden By Tenure: 2013-2017................................................................... B-56 Table B-30 Riverside County Very Low Income (<50% AMI) Cost Burden and Severe Cost Burden By Tenure: 2013-2017 ........................................................................... B-57 Table B-31 City of Desert Hot Springs Disproportionate Housing Needs Analysis Overcrowding by Race and Ethnicity ........................................................................................ B-58 Table B-32 Riverside County Disproportionate Housing Needs Analysis Overcrowding by Race and Ethnicity....................................................................................................... B-58 Table B-33 EITC 2021 Parameters ...................................................................................... B-75 Table B-34 City of Desert Hot Springs Affordable Housing Projects .................................... B-79 Table C-1 City of Desert Hot Springs Skyborne Specific Plan.............................................. C-7 Table C-2 Tuscan Hills Specific Plan Description of Land Use by Planning Area and Housing Capacity ............................................................................................................. C-10 Table C-3 Tuscan Hills Specific Plan Description of Land Use by Planning Area and Housing Capacity ............................................................................................................. C-12 Item Number: 7.
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Table C-4 City of Desert Hot Springs Vacant Sites Accommodating the Lower Income Housing Need: 2021-2029 General Plan and Zoning Designation of R-H Minimum Density 20 Dwelling Units Per Acre Maximum Density 30 Dwelling Units Per Acre.................................................................................................................... C-14 Table C-5 City of Desert Hot Springs Vacant Sites Accommodating the Lower Income Housing Need: 2021-2029 General Plan and Zoning Designation of MU-C Minimum Density 20 Dwelling Units Per Acre Maximum Density 30 Dwelling Units Per Acre ............................................................................................................. C-16 Table C-6 City of Desert Hot Springs Index of Dissimilarity: 2010...................................... C-20 Table C-7 City of Desert Hot Springs.................................................................................. C-20 Table D-1 City of Desert Hot Springs Permitted Uses in Residential Zones........................ D-4 Table D-2 City of Desert Hot Springs General Plan Land Use Designations and Zones...... D-8 Table D-3 City of Desert Hot SpringsDevelopment Standards ............................................. D-9 Table D-4 City of Desert Hot Springs Parking Requirements in Residential Zones............ D-10 Table D-5 City of Desert Hot SpringsFee Schedule ........................................................... D-14 Table E-1 City of Desert Hot Springs FHA/VA/FSA and Conventional Loan Applications and Denial Rates: 2018 and 2019................................................................................E-2 Table E-2 City of Desert Hot Springs FHA/VA/FSA and Conventional Loan Denial Rates by Household Income: 2018 and 2019 ......................................................................E-3 Table E-3 City of Desert Hot Springs FHA/VA and Conventional Loan Denial Rates By Race and Ethnicity: 2018 and 2019................................................................................E-4 Table E-4 City of Desert Hot Springs FHA/VA and Conventional Loan Denial Rates by Census Tract: 2018 and 2019...............................................................................E-5 Table E-5 Coachella Valley Median Home Values by City (in Rank Order): 2015-2019 .......E-8 Table E-6 City of Desert Hot Springs Value of Housing Units: 2015-2019............................E-9 Table E-7 City of Desert Hot Springs Home Sales by Number of Bedrooms January 1, 2021 through August 13, 2021.................................................................................... E-10 Table E-8 Coachella Valley Median Gross Rent by City (In Rank Order): 2015-2019 ...... E-11 Table E-9 City of Desert Hot Springs Bedrooms by Monthly Gross Rent: 2015-2019 ....... E-12 Table E-10 City of Desert Hot Springs Median Gross Rent by Bedrooms: 2015-2019 ........ E-12 Table F-1 Riverside County Maximum Gross Income Limits Effective 04/01/2020................ 4 Index of Exhibits
Exhibit B-1 San Bernardino Associated Governments ......................................................... B-22 Exhibit B-2 Western Riverside Council of Governments ...................................................... B-23 Exhibit B-3 Coachella Valley Cities and Spheres of Influence ............................................. B-24 Exhibit B-4 City of Desert Hot Springs and Sphere of Influence .......................................... B-25 Exhibit B-5 City of Desert Hot Springs Diversity Index (2010) – Block Group...................... B-28 Item Number: 7.
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Exhibit B-6 City of Desert Hot Springs Diversity Index (2018) – Block Group...................... B-29 Exhibit B-7 City of Desert Hot Springs TCAC Opportunity Areas (2021) ............................. B-53 Exhibit C-1 Skyborne Specific Plan ........................................................................................ C-8 Exhibit C-2 Tuscan Hills Specific Plan.................................................................................. C-11 Exhibit C-3 Locations of Lower Income R-H Zoned Sites..................................................... C-15 Exhibit C-4 Locations of Lower Income M-UC Zoned Sites.................................................. C-17 Exhibit C-5 Land Use Framework......................................................................................... C-19 Exhibit C-6 Census Tract 445.17.......................................................................................... C-26 Chart A-1 City of Desert Hot Springs Components of the Housing Needs Assessment A-3 Chart B-1 Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Parameters Earned Income Tax Credit 2020 B-76 Item Number: 7.
SECTION I INTRODUCTION
I-8
SECTION I INTRODUCTION
A. BACKGROUND
The City’s origins were founded by the unique hot water resources that fostered the development of spas and resorts. The spa and resorts have contributed to the growth of the City over the years and are still prevalent in the northeast area of the City.
The predominantly residential land use pattern represents the City’s historical role as a “bedroom” community, providing housing options to many in the Coachella Valley. The City’s established commercial centers include several along Palm Drive and in Downtown along Pierson Boulevard.
Scattered industrial and cannabis cultivation uses are located along Indian Canyon Drive. Much of land within the western portion of the City and its Sphere of Influence is generally undeveloped.
While certain vacant areas are located within sensitive habitat conservation areas or within floodways, the majority of vacant lands are suitable for development.
Desert Hot Springs is well served by a regional freeway and highway network that provides easy access to destinations throughout the Coachella Valley, into Joshua Tree National Park, and east toward the Inland Empire and greater Los Angeles region.
The I-10 provides regional east-west access from its westerly origin in Santa Monica, through the Coachella Valley, and eastward through the southern United States. I-10 is an eight-lane divided freeway through the region. Interchanges providing access to Desert Hot Springs are at Indian Canyon Drive and Palm Drive.
State Route 62 (SR-62) generally trends in a north-south direction along the western side of the City before transitioning into an east west orientation in Yucca Valley. SR-62 is a four lane divided highway providing regional access from the junction at I-10 to its eastern terminus at US 95S at the Arizona state line. Primary access points for City access are provided at Indian Canyon Drive, Pierson Boulevard, and Dillon Road.
B. GOVERNMENT CODE REQUIREMENTS
A housing element is one of the seven mandated elements of the General Plan and it must be updated every eight years unless otherwise extended by State legislation. The City of Desert Hot Springs’s Housing Element covers the planning period from October 15, 2021 to October 15, 2029. The mandated contents of a housing element are described in great detail in Title 7, Chapter 3, Article 10.6, Government Code Sections 65580 through Government Code 65589.8. The law governing the contents of a housing element is the most detailed of all elements of the General Plan.
According to Government Code Section 65583:
The housing element shall consist of an identification and analysis of existing and projected housing needs and a statement of goals, policies, quantified objectives, financial resources, and scheduled programs for the preservation, improvement, and development of housing. The housing element shall identify adequate sites for housing, including rental housing, factory-built housing, mobile homes, and emergency shelters, and shall make adequate provision for the existing and projected needs of all economic segments of the community.
Item Number: 7.
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C. ORGANIZATION OF THE HOUSING ELEMENT
In addition to the Introduction, the 2021-2029 Housing Element includes Section II (Housing Program) and seven Appendices:
Section II Housing Program: This section presents a summary of housing needs and constraints; a statement of goals, policies, and objectives; and a description of planned actions to address the program requirements of Government Code Section 65583(c).
Appendix A: Assessment of Housing Needs: The Appendix includes data and analysis of existing and projected housing needs.
Appendix B Assessment of Fair Housing: The Appendix contains information on fair housing protected groups; describes fair housing issues; and recommends goals, priorities; and strategies.
Appendix C: Sites Inventory and Analysis: The Appendix identifies the sites that will accommodate the City’s share of the regional housing need for above moderate, moderate and lower income housing units.
Appendix D: Governmental Constraints: The Appendix describes actual and potential governmental constraints that hinder the City’s ability to address housing needs.
Appendix E: Nongovernmental Constraints: This Appendix describes market conditions that impede the development of housing for all economic segments, including the availability of financing, land costs, and construction costs.
Appendix F: Housing Resources: This Appendix describes financial and administrative resources that can contribute to addressing the City’s housing needs.
Appendix G: Progress Report: The Appendix describes the progress the City has made toward implementing the actions adopted in the 2013-2021 Housing Element.
D. HOUSING ELEMENT CONSISTENCY WITH OTHER GENERAL PLAN ELEMENTS Seven elements comprise the Desert Hot Springs General Plan:
§ Land Use and Community Design Element
§ Mobility and Infrastructure Element
§ Economic Development Element
§ Housing Element
§ Open Space, Natural and Cultural Resources Element
§ Health and Wellness Element
§ Safety and Noise Element
During the planning period, consistency between the 2021-2029 Housing Element and the other General Plan Elements will be maintained through the General Plan Annual Progress Report.
This Report, which is completed in April of each year, reports on the status and implementation progress of the General Plan Elements. The Progress Report contains information on the status of General Plan amendments, if any, and how internal consistency will be maintained between the Housing Element and the other six elements.
Item Number: 7.
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E. WATER AND SEWER PRIORITY
Government Code Section 65589.7(a) requires:
§ Each public agency or private entity providing water or sewer services shall grant a priority for the provision of these services to proposed developments that include housing units affordable to lower income households.
§ A public agency or private entity providing water or sewer services shall adopt written policies and procedures, not later than July 1, 2006, and at least once every five years thereafter, with specific objective standards for provision of services in conformance with this section
§ The housing element adopted by the legislative body and any amendments made to that element shall be immediately delivered to all public agencies or private entities that provide water or sewer services
The 2021-2029 Housing Element was adopted by the City Council on November 2, 2021. The adopted element was delivered to the Mission Springs Water District (MSWD) and Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD) on November 19, 2021.
The Mission Springs Water District is the primary water service provider in Desert Hot Springs.
The District’s service area encompasses 135 square miles including the City, 10 smaller communities in Riverside County, and communities in the City of Palm Springs.
The MSWD and Coachella Valley Water District also provide sewer service in the City of Desert Hot Springs.
The two Districts are currently updating their Master Plans. While the City staff was preparing the Draft Housing Element, the RHNA, draft Sites Inventory, and the locations of the lower income housing sites were transmitted to the two Districts.
F. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION AND CONSULTATION
1. 5th Cycle Housing Element
The 5th Cycle (2013-2021) Four-Year Housing Element Update was adopted by the City Council on July 7, 2020. During the development of the Housing Element Update, three Community Workshops were conducted in 2018 and 2019. Comments from the workshop included:
§ More opportunities for mixed-use development
§ The need for continued code enforcement activities to maintain neighborhoods § Adequate housing supply for new household formation
§ Assistance with home improvement issues
§ Expanded affordable housing opportunities for all economic segments § Allowing for mixed-use along major thoroughfares
§ Limiting residential in some commercial areas but allowing higher densities in some residential neighborhoods (specifically urban nodes)
§ Consider repurposing older/abandoned motels for affordable housing § Consider how the tiny house concept could work in Desert Hot Springs Item Number: 7.
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§ Encourage development of affordable housing projects through housing grants, permit streamlining and density bonuses
The Housing Element Update responded to as many of the comments as possible, especially by providing for additional mixed use development and allowing for mixed uses along major thoroughfares.
During the development of the 5th Cycle Update, additional public participation efforts included a City Council Study Session and public hearings conducted by the Planning Commission and City Council.
The foregoing public participation efforts established the foundation for not only the 5th Cycle but also the 6th Cycle Housing Element Update. For example, mixed use zoning has been applied to several parcels along Palm Drive. Several Zoning Ordinance Amendments were adopted on September 1, 2020, two months after adoption of the 5th Cycle Mid-Term Housing Element.
Additionally, the resources with regard to programs providing rental assistance, first time homebuyer assistance, and housing rehabilitation assistance remain limited and unchanged.
During the preparation of the Draft 2021-2029 Housing Element the public participation and consultation efforts described below were undertaken:
2. Planning Commission Workshop – June 8, 2020
The Planning Commission held a noticed Housing Element Community Workshop on June 8, 2021. City staff and consultant presented an overview of the 2021-2029 Preliminary Draft Housing Element. Among the topics presented were:
§ Assessment of housing needs
§ Regional housing needs allocation
§ Sites inventory
§ Draft housing programs
§ Schedule
There were no in person questions from the public.
Principal Planner Juan Carrillo commented that the Public Noticing Procedure was addressed by a notice in the Desert Star Weekly on May 28, 2021.
Juan Carrillo further expanded on the specifics that staff referred to in the presentation for noticing.
He stated that the following groups were notified in compliance with the Garcia Settlement Agreement along with two members Elena Castillo and Melissa Morris of the settlement. • Catholic Charities of San Bernardino and Riverside Counties • Desert AIDS Project
• Coachella Valley Housing Coalition
• Path of Life Ministries
• Martha’s Village and Kitchen
• Desert Ability Center
• Coachella Valley Rescue Mission
• Inland Regional Center – Diversity Outreach Coordinator Item Number: 7.
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• Riverside County Housing and Homeless Coalition
• Riverside County Department of Public Social Services All notices were sent in both Spanish and English.
Mr. Carrillo stated that copies of the Draft 6th Cycle Housing Element were sent to the Desert Hot Springs Senior Center and Riverside County Housing and Homeless Coalition.
The City Clerk of Desert Hot Springs received a comment letter from Inland Counties Legal Services, Inc. at 4:00 p.m. on the evening of the Planning Commission Community Workshop, which did not allow for time to respond.
A Planning Commission phone call comment, during the meeting, from Maria Delgado, representing the Inland Counties Legal Services, Inc., included comments regarding the inventory of sites not specifying which of the sites would be for extremely low, very low and low Income and that the sites are only in the Residential High Zone and Mixed Use Zones.
The Housing Element definition of lower Income RHNA combines the three categories of extremely Low, very Low and low into one category – lower Income. The lower Income RHNA sites are zoned RH (Residential High) and MU-C (Mixed Use-Corridor).
Maria Delgado also commented that the Planning Commission Community Workshop is the only live public participation event.
Planning Commission Chairman Griffith addressed this comment stating that we have just gone to the Orange Tier from the Red Tier during this Pandemic. The City of Desert Hot Springs still cannot do large in-person group meetings yet and it is unrealistic to do so. We were unable to have in-person group meetings during the last year, because of the pandemic. This is, just today, the second in person meeting this year for the Planning Commission. The pandemic has inhibited our ability to have in-person meetings. The deadline that we must meet is October 15, 2021, to have the 6th Cycle Housing Element adopted. There is a 60-day comment period starting after the draft is submitted to the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) which provides time for the public to comment on the 6th Cycle Draft Housing Element.
Commissioner Grant commented that there was not a definition for the word “throughout “ in the draft document. She also asked about pricing low-income persons out of the market in order to be able to afford housing. Juan Carrillo, Principal Planner, provided guidance on how an adopted Housing Element provides developers the opportunity to apply for grants. One of the criteria for a developer to receive a grant is to have an adopted Housing Element for the city in which the project would be located. It is also a question on the applications for grants if a city has an adopted Housing Element. Also, he stated how extremely important it is to meet the deadline for the Housing Element adoption. He also commented that the Coachella Valley Housing Coalition has a housing program to assist low, very low and extremely low-income persons.
Commissioner Grant also asked if in this 6th Cycle Housing Element draft document is to look at the high-quality transit areas? Mr. Carrillo addressed this question by responding that Desert Hot Springs is not located in a high-quality transit area. The methodology of the HCD subcommittee at the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) level allocated the RHNA numbers based on high quality transit areas, where it applies, to other counties and cities in the Region. An example would be Los Angeles County, Orange County, Santa Monica, Century City, Buena Park which all have high quality transit areas, these cities received higher allocations based on the methodology. The Coachella Valley is not there yet with high quality transit areas.
Item Number: 7.
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Planning Commission Chair Griffith commented that the City of Desert Hot Springs missed the deadline for the 5th Cycle and had to go for a 4-year Cycle and not an 8-year Cycle schedule. In just nine months the task of getting the Housing Element updated for the 5th Cycle was completed.
The 5th Cycle was sent for approval May 20, 2020, then on July 7, 2020 resent with minor changes to have an adopted HCD approval which occurred on August 10th, 2020. All of this occurred during a pandemic while the city’s employees were working from home, which makes collaboration more difficult. To clarify, the City of Desert Hot Springs could not apply for grants during the time period when the Housing Element was not adopted. After the adoption, the City was able to apply for grants and received some.
There were no further questions from the Planning Commissioners or the public. The Planning Commission unanimously approved transmittal of the Preliminary Draft Housing Element to HCD for purposes of commencing the 60-day review period.
3. Community Workshop – July 24, 2021
On Saturday July 24, 2021, the City conducted a second community meeting as a direct result of the first community meeting held on June 8, 2021, where it was recommended that a second meeting take place on a weekend to allow working residents to attend the meeting and gather input from them.
City staff and the consultant engaged in the preparation of the second community meeting by selecting a Saturday, preparing flyers, both in English and Spanish. The meeting was conducted in person and it was also available via Zoom for those residents, and the public in general, that preferred attending virtually.
The City utilized several avenues to advertise the meeting. The notice was posted in the City Website, it was advertised in the City’s Facebook account, the 10 groups mentioned in the Garcia Settlement were notified via certified mail, and emails were sent to the two organizations mentioned in the Garcia Settlement as well. An “A Frame” sign was placed outside of City Hall letting pedestrians know of the meeting and letting the public know where the meeting was being held. The duration of the meeting was over an hour and it was interactive, both by those who attended in person and via Zoom as well.
Knowing that there are other local groups that advocate for affordable and fair housing, the City invited Ms. Monica Lopez, Fair Housing Council of Riverside County, Inc. and Ms. Taylor Libolt Varner, Regional Affordable Housing Partner with Lift to Rise. Ms. Cheryl Hunter, Senior Center Director of the City was also invited but, unfortunately, she was unable to attend.
At the beginning of the meeting City staff mentioned that translating into Spanish was available for those in attendance that needed translation. Three bilingual staff members were present at the meeting. Attendance was better that the first community meeting; there were nine members of the public in attendance, four City staff, the consultant, and two Planning Commissioners, one in person and one via zoom.
Attendees asked both participants questions on the services they provide and there was discussion on how lengthy and expensive building multi-family units can be. City staff provided a brief explanation of the process in adopting a housing element and the RHNA process. The City’s consultant expanded on the process and the number of housing units allocated to the City of Desert Hot Springs and the breakdown of the 3,873 housing units by income levels.
Item Number: 7.
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Ms. Taylor Libolt Varner and Ms. Monica Lopez each made a five-minute presentation on the resources that they provide. Ms. Monica Lopez attended in person and brought material such as fair housing brochures and flyers, also in English and Spanish. She also described the First Time Homebuyer Workshops that the FHCRC periodically conducts throughout Riverside County.
The public attending the Community Workshop expressed interest in additional housing-focused meetings. They suggested to City staff ways to increase attendance at future Workshops.
Specifically, the attendees recommended that City staff should work with local churches to make more residents aware of housing workshops that may be scheduled at future dates.
Community members in attendance also discussed having a potential outreach venue with a popup booth at the local weekly farmers market. This booth would be for the public to be informed about the available housing assistance programs, their comments and needs to be expressed.
4. Planning Commission Public Hearing including a virtual meeting component – October 20, 2021
Planning Commissioner Chairman Robert Griffith asked for public comments; there were no public comments either in person or on video streaming
Juan Carrillo, Principal Planner, presented a Staff Report at the Planning Commission’s Public Hearing by describing the scope of the 6th Cycle Draft Housing Element 2021:
§ Described the acronyms often used for the Housing Element:
o HCD – Department of Housing and Community Development o SCAG – Southern California Association of Governments – 6 counties (Desert Hot Springs is within this region)
o RHNA - Regional Housing Needs Assessment
§ 1,341,827 units given to the SCAG Region
§ 3,873 units were assigned to Desert Hot Springs in the RHNA and broken down in different income categories; this number assigned to Desert Hot Springs is number of units is required to be able to provide zoning for in the 6th Cycle Housing Element.
§ Describe the Components of the 6th Cycle Draft Housing Element – Sections and Appendices
§ Stated that the Progress Report is to be completed annually § Described the Sites to Accommodate the City’s Share of the RHNA § Provided the different income levels and numbers of units allocated to the City by the RHNA for
§ Described in detail the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) sections for the record that allowed the 6th Cycle Housing Element to be Exempt from CEQA.
City Attorney Jennifer Mizrahi also stated that the proposed Resolution has more details of the CEQA findings for the record.
Mr. Carrillo provided the recommendation of staff to the Planning Commission:
o That the Planning Commission makes a recommendation to the City Council that the City Council adopt the Housing Element for the 6th Cycle (2021-2029) and the transmittal of the Housing Element to the State Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) to start the 90-day review period.
Item Number: 7.
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There was a question from the Chairman Robert Griffith; he asked for clarification regarding certain zoning. His inquiry was regarding the passage of the state law, one can now do multifamily in single family zoning, and this would provide more housing sites, correct? Juan Carrillo, Principal Planner responded that Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) do count as a housing unit for meeting the RHNA numbers. With the passage of SB9, this would allow for multiple units. An owner could subdivide their lot into two, have two units on a parcel and the housing production could be available.
Planning Commissioner Ted Mayrhofen had a question about SB9 and asked for a clarification - does this mean that an owner can subdivide the lot in two or could they take a residential unit into a duplex?
City Attorney Jennifer Mizrahi explained further that SB9 is a new law that has specific clauses in it, which takes effect January 2022. A person can actually subdivide their lot into two and create two units per lot.
Chairman Robert Griffith opened the public hearing; there was no public testimony.
The consultant Christney Barilla (Castañeda and Associates) was present, and Chairman Griffith asked if there is any question for the consultant. There were not any questions for the consultant.
Jennifer Mizrahi, City Attorney, had an addition to the recommendation that there is also a Resolution attached to the packet; the Planning Commission would technically also be approving the Resolution to recommend to the City Council
Additionally, Commissioner Mayrhofen is hoping the City website will include the information about the programs and updates in the future of the progress. • Commissioner Richard Duffel made a motion to approve the Resolution and recommend that the City Council adopt the 6th Cycle Housing Element 2021-2029 and the transmittal of the Housing Element to the State Department of Housing Community Development to start the 90-day review period.
• The motion was seconded by Commissioner Requita Grant • The motion passed unanimously
5. City Council Public Hearing including a virtual meeting component– November 2, 2021
Juan Carrillo, Principal Planner, introduced the Public Hearing by describing the scope of the hearing:
§ Resolution of the City Council of the City of Desert Hot Springs, California, Amending the 6th Cycle Draft Housing Element of the General Plan, and § Adoption of the CEQA Environmental Exemption.
Mr. Carrillo thanked the consultant Christney Barilla with Castaneda and Associates for her help in putting the Housing Element document together. He presented to the City Council and the public an overview of each item under consideration. He described that the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) region area was assigned 1,341,827 units of the Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) for the 6th Cycle by the State Housing Community Item Number: 7.
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Development Department. There is a committee within SCAG to disperse into the 6 counties this allocation. The City of Desert Hot Springs was allocated 3,873 units of the RHNA. He described the components of the Housing Element -- the Sections and Appendices and share of the RHNA.
Juan Carrillo described the zoning and projects that will facilitate the allocation, including the approved project of Marbella Villas with 402 units which will be used to meet a portion of the RHNA.
City of Desert Hot Springs Regional Housing Needs Allocation includes:
Extremely Low Income - 284 units - 7.3%
Very Low Income - 285 units - 7.3%
Low Income - 535 units - 13.8%
Moderate Income - 688 units - 17.8%
Above Moderate Income - 2081 units - 53.8%
The CEQA document for the 6th Cycle Housing Element was found to be Exempt for two categories. Pursuant to 14 Cal. Code Regs Section 15162(a) and 15283(a). A Notice of Exemption will be filed if the City Council so directs.
Staff recommendation comes from the Planning Commission Public Hearing that was held on October 20, 2021. The Planning Commission recommended to the City Council to adopt the 6th Cycle Draft Housing Element for 2021-2029 period; file a Notice of Exemption and the transmit the Housing Element to the State Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) to start the 90-day review period.
Juan Carrillo, Principal Planner, wanted to note for the record that the City of Desert Hot Springs received a letter from Inland Counties Legal Services (ICLS). The City has responded to a similar letter in the past and responded to their concerns. In addition, and the consultant had a long list of items to respond to from HCD’s preliminary review and has responded to those items.
Mayor Scott Matas stated that the City Council had also received the letter from ICLS just the day of the meeting at 12:50 p.m. He stated that there was little time to review the letter and he would encourage anyone who has a comment to send it in a timely fashion.
Mayor Matas opened the public hearing, there was not anyone in the audience that had a comment.
The virtual component of the City Council Meeting (Zoom) comments for the public hearing were:
Maria Delgado, Inland County Legal Services (ICLS), was in favor of the items adoption and would want the items in the letter addressed. ICLS provided comments and resubmitted a letter. There are some deficiencies still left to be corrected that ICLS feel are not being addressed.
Requita Grant had a question about the Housing Element; she asked if the issues addressed by ICLS are in the statues and would this make the 6th Cycle Housing Element out of compliance.
Then she stated that this question is probably not answerable.
Sharilyn Nakata, ICLS, stated that she was attending with Ms. Delgado and that Ms. Delgado provided their comments already.
Mayor Matas closed the public hearing and started City Council discussion.
Item Number: 7.
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Council Member Gary Gardner thanked the staff and the consultant for their hard work. He commended his colleague Council Member Betts for his hard work on the SCAG committee. The realistic RHNA numbers are great, although he is sad that the DHS residents which are renters spend approximately 30% of their income on rent and are cost burdened. He is concerned that there are overcrowded households with more than 2 people per bedroom, and he is hoping this Housing Element will address these critical needs. He supports the Housing Element and encourages his colleagues to also support the item.
Council Member Russell Betts discussed the SCAG Committee process and discussed the issues raised. He stated that the process is very complicated. He sat on the Appeals Board which was a very long assignment and involved approximately 54 cities appealing. He gave thanks to the staff, with a special thanks to Juan Carrillo for his excellent work, and stated that the City of Desert Hot Springs is doing its part to provide affordable housing in the City. He encouraged his colleagues to support the motion.
Council Member Roger Nuñez echoed the other City Council members support of the item. He had a question of Mr. Carrillo; it was a question regarding meeting the inventory stock. He thanked Planner Carrillo for his excellent work.
His question was regarding if the City of Desert Hot Springs would have time to meet the inventory stock numbers in the eight-year period. Principal Planner Carrillo replied to the question that the goal is to be able to provide the availability to have 3,873 housing units within the 8-year cycle.
The adopted and certified Housing Element facilitates developers to be attracted to build in a city that has a certified Housing Element and is being required for grants. Council Member Nuñez stated that he wanted to have the explanation on the public record.
Council Member Jan Pye mirrored the other council members statements. It was a lot to read she stated. She thanked council member Betts for doing an excellent job being on the SCAG committee. She stated the Housing Element has a great deal of information on getting people into homes and how to get people to stay in their homes; it is contained within the 6th Cycle Draft Housing Element.
Mayor Matas thanked the staff for their work. He stated that when first elected 5 years ago and during the recession lots of cities were behind on their Housing Elements. DHS was in a meeting with Governor Newsom and explained they had at that time, financial issues when the city was behind on the elements. He provided a history of the past Housing Elements. He praised Mr.
Carrillo for finishing this Element. He also thanked former Council Member McKee with his assistance as a partner with Council Member Betts on the SCAG Committee. At that time 40 cities were out of compliance. In the past there were RHNA numbers in the 9,000 units range for DHS and based on elements that were not realistic. He supports passing this item and now have attainable numbers if the economy continues to keep going like it is now.
Mayor Matas asked for a motion.
Council Member Betts made a motion:
1). Finding that the 6th Cycle Draft Housing Element is Exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act, and
2) Adopting the 6th Cycle Draft Housing Element for 2021 -2029, and 3) Directing the staff to mail the 6th Cycle Draft Housing Element to HCD to start the 90 day review.
Item Number: 7.
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Jennifer Mizrahi, City Attorney, commented that the motion should include the technical approval of the Resolution.
Council Member Betts, amended the motion to include the technical approval of the Resolution.
Council member Nunez seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
6. Housing Survey – Survey Monkey survey posted on City’s website (English and Spanish)
As of early June 2021, the response to the survey was high as 109 households answered one or more questions. The tenure of the households responding to the survey was:
§ Owners 63%
§ Renters 31%
§ Other 6%
An overwhelming majority (86.5%) of renters prefer to own a home. This very high percentage probably means that information on first time home buyer resources would be helpful to the to the City’s renter households.
One question asked: Thinking of your own needs and those of Desert Hot Springs as a whole, what housing programs should the City promote? The five most popular programs include:
§ Single family home repair and rehabilitation 52%
§ Increase housing code enforcement 40%
§ New family housing 34%
§ Emergency shelter for homeless persons 34%
§ New senior housing 32%
Another question asked: Would you have an interest in having the City sponsor workshops on one or more of the following topics? The most popular topics included:
§ First time home buyer resources 47%
§ Fair housing rights 33%
§ Housing rights for families 31%
§ Reasonable modifications 25%
§ Reasonable accommodations 23%
Another question asked: Would you have an interest in the City scheduling “walk-in” clinics? Walk-in clinics provide the opportunity for both tenants and landlords to meet with a housing counselor one-on-one to discuss any issues, tenant/landlord disputes, or questions about fair housing laws.
§ 48% responded yes and 24% responded maybe
7. Review and Comment
§ Review and comment on the elderly and disabled sections of the Preliminary Draft Housing Element were provided by the Director of the Senior Center Item Number: 7.
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§ Review and comments on the fair housing enforcement, resources and outreach section (Appendix B) of the Preliminary Draft Housing Element by the staff of the Fair Housing Council of Riverside County, Inc.
8. Public Consultation
Critical information regarding community surveys, community needs assessment, services provided, number and types of persons assisted, and policy recommendations were obtained from the following organizations:
§ California Department of Developmental Disabilities
Data on the number of Desert Hot Springs clients and their living arrangements § Danielle Mazzella
California Housing Partnership
Data on the risk assessment of affordable housing projects converting to market rate housing
§ Sertan Usanmaz
California Tax Credit Allocation Committee
Information on the demographics (race, disability) of tenants occupying low income housing tax credit projects located in Desert Hot Springs § Coachella Valley Association of Governments (CVAG)
§ Amanda Swartz
Community Access Center
Information on home modifications and transition to independent living § Carrie Harmon
Community Action Partnership
Information on poverty reduction programs
§ Disability Rights California
Information on reasonable accommodations, reasonable modifications, service and companion animals
§ County of Riverside Area Agency on Aging
Information on needs assessments, survey of seniors, housing priorities § Housing Authority of the County of Riverside – Cindy Hui (Section 8 statistics and Housing Opportunity Area Maps)
§ Public Counsel Pro Bono Law Firm
Information on best practices regarding planning for emergency shelters § Inland Regional Center
Information on services provided and licensed and unlicensed living options Item Number: 7.
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§ Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) – Kevin Kane (RHNA methodology and housing data)
§ Terner Center for Housing Innovation
Information on housing development costs, impact of local development impact fees, density bonuses
§ Vicki Gums
U.S. Department of housing and Urban Development (HUD)
San Francisco Regional Office
Information on housing discrimination complaints filed by Desert Hot Springs residents by basis and alleged act
9. Stakeholder Consultation
The 2021-2029 Draft Housing Element was sent via email to the following organizations. The email message indicated that the City welcomed comments on the Draft Housing Element.
However, no comments were received by City staff.
Catholic Charities San Bernardino & Riverside Counties
Belinda Marquez
Director-Family & Community Services
Riverside County
Catholic Charities San Bernardino & Riverside Counties
3020 Madison Street
Riverside, CA 92504
Telephone (951) 689-1803
Fax (951) 689-6953
[email protected]
Coachella Valley Housing Coalition
Alma Perez
Multi-Family Project Coordinator
Coachella Valley Housing Coalition
45-701 Monroe Street, Ste G.
Indio, Ca 92201
760-347-3157 ext. 506
Coachella Valley Rescue Mission
P.O. Box 10660, Indio, CA 92202
Media Contact:
Scott Wolf, Development Director
[email protected]
760-347-3512 ext. 239
Desert Ability Center
79185 Latigo Circle
C/O Judy May, La Quinta, CA 92253
Email: [email protected]
Item Number: 7.
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Desert AIDS Project,
1895 N. Sunrise Way, Palm Springs, CA 92262
David Brinkman, CEO
[email protected]
Inland Regional Center
Lavinia Johnson, Executive Director
1365 South Waterman Avenue - San Bernardino, CA 92408
Phone: (909) 890-3000 • Fax: (909) 890-3001
E-mail: [email protected] www.inlandrc.org
Jewish Family Services of the Desert
Becky Ruiz
Director of Supportive Housing Programs
Jewish Family Service of San Diego
Direct Office: (760) 656-2220 │Cell: (760) 774-5374 │Fax: (760) 327-4516 [email protected] │ www.jfssd.org
400 S. Farrell Drive, Suite B205, Palm Springs, CA 92262 Martha’s Village and Kitchen
83791 Date Avenue, Indio, CA 92201
Linda Barrack
President and CEO
[email protected]
Riverside County Housing and Homeless Coalition
1111 Spruce Street, Riverside, CA 92507
Tanya Torno
Deputy Director at Housing, Homelessness Prevention, and Workforce Solutions [email protected]
In addition, the Draft 2021-2029 Housing Element was posted on the City’s website for review by the interested public.
Additional public participation opportunities were available during the 60-day HCD review period and the public hearings held by the Planning Commission and by the City Council.
An additional public comment period was provided in July of 2022, when the City posted its revised element for review on its website. At that time, it sent email notices, with the Draft Element attached, to all of the stakeholders listed above and all parties who had requested notices, as well as announcements on its social media pages. The element was posted and emails sent on June 29th, 2022, with a request for comments by July 8, 2022. The City received one comment letter from ICLS, which incorrectly asserted that the City had not responded to HCD’s or its previous comments. The Element was corrected to add the parcel number for site #9 in the inventory and to clarify that sites listed in previous inventories are zoned to permit multi-family housing by right at densities required by law. The City would also like to point out that contrary to ICLS’s assertion, the City is not required to include the HCD mandated inventory forms in its Element. The requirement of law is that these forms be sent to HCD in conjunction with Element adoption. Since the current draft is a subsequent unadopted document, the City has not yet sent the forms to HCD, but will do so when it re-adopts the Element following certification.
Item Number: 7.
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10. Input to the Development of the 2021-2029 Housing Element The public participation and consultation effort provided valuable input to the development of the 2021-2029 Housing Element. The following summarizes how input was incorporated into the element’s actions, policies and programs:
§ As a result of the Housing Survey, City staff will work with the Fair Housing Council of Riverside County, Inc. to provide resident households fair housing information (e.g., reasonable accommodations and modifications); schedule first time homebuyer workshops; and schedule walk-in clinics.
§ Input from the Fair Housing Council of Riverside County, Inc. resulted in revisions to the Assessment of Fair Housing (Appendix B).
§ Input from the several organizations and stakeholders contributed to the assessment of housing needs (i.e., Inland Regional Center, Community Access Center, Area Agency on Aging).
§ Input from Public Counsel Pro Bono Law Firm provided valuable insights on best practices regarding planning for emergency shelters
§ Input from the Director of the Senior Center resulted in revisions to the elderly and disabled sections of the Assessment of Housing Needs (Appendix A). § Input from HUD included multi-year housing discrimination complaint data.
11. Fair Housing Outreach
Fair housing outreach included:
§ A discussion of fair housing topics at the July 24, 2021 Community Workshop § Review and comment on the Assessment of Fair Housing by the Fair Housing Council of Riverside County, Inc.
§ Housing Survey which included questions on fair housing topics such as reasonable accommodations and reasonable modifications
§ Distribution of the Draft Housing Element to organizations representing the interests of low income households and special needs populations (i.e., Catholic Charities, Coachella Valley Rescue Mission, and Coachella Valley Housing Coalition).
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SECTION II HOUSING PROGRAM
Government Code Section 65583(c) requires that a housing element include:
A program which sets forth a five-year schedule of actions the local government is undertaking or intends to undertake to implement the policies and achieve the goals and objectives of the housing element….
The Housing Program must:
§ Identify Actions to Make Sites Available to Accommodate the City’s Share of the Regional Housing Need That Could Not Be Accommodated on the Sites Identified in the Land Inventory [Government Code Section 65583(c)(1)] § Assist in the Development of Adequate Housing to Meet the Needs of Extremely Low, Very Low-, Low- and Moderate Income Households [Government Code Section 65583(c)(2)]
§ Address and, Where Appropriate and Legally Possible, Remove Governmental and Nongovernmental Constraints to the Maintenance, Improvement and Development of Housing Including Housing for All Income Levels and Housing for Persons with Disabilities [Government Code Section 65583(c)(3]
§ Conserve and Improve the Condition of the Existing Affordable Housing Stock [Government Code Section 65583(c)(4)]
§ Promote and Affirmatively Further Fair Housing Opportunities throughout the Community or Communities for All Persons Regardless of Race, Religion, Sex, Marital Status, Ancestry, National Origin, Color, Familial Status, or Disability [Government Code Section 65583(c)(5)]
§ Preserve for Lower Income Households the Assisted Housing Developments at Risk of Conversion to Market Rate Housing [Government Code Section 65583(c)(6)] The City does not have an affordable housing development at risk of conversion to market rate housing during the next 10-years (through 2031).
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Table II-1
City of Desert Hot Springs
2021-2029 Housing Program
Program Category List of Programs
Category 1 – Identify Sites to
Accommodate the City’s Share of the
Regional Housing Need
1.1 Sites Development Program
1.2 Sites Used in Previous Housing Elements
1.3 No Net Loss Program
Category 2 - Assist the Development
of Lower Income and Moderate Income
Housing
2.1 Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program
2.2 First Time Homebuyer Program
2.3 Affordable Housing Incentives Program
2.4 Regional Plan for the Development of 2,000
Affordable Housing Units
2.5 Area Agency on Aging Outreach Program
2.6 Extremely Low Income (ELI) Program
Category 3 - Remove Governmental
and Nongovernmental Constraints to
Housing
3.1 Zoning Ordinance Update (LEAP Grant)
3.2 Reasonable Accommodation Application/Brochure
3.3 ADU Incentives Program
3.4 SB 35 Streamlining Information
3.5 Government Code Section 65940.1
Category 4 – Conserve and Improve
the Existing Stock of Affordable
Housing
4.1 Housing Code Enforcement
4.2 Homeowner Housing Rehabilitation Program
4.3 Abandoned Residential Property Registration
Category 5 - Promote Housing
Opportunities For All/Affirmatively
Furthering Fair Housing
5.1 Fair Housing Services Program
5.2 Affirmative Fair Housing Marketing Plan
5.3 Poverty Reduction Program
5.4 Placed-Based Neighborhood Poverty Reduction
Program
5.5 Mobility Strategies Program
5.6 Displacement Risk Program
5.7 Bilingual Assistance on Development and Housing
Processes
5.8 Accessibility of Development and Housing
Processes
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Housing Need Summary
The City’s share of the regional housing need is 3,873 housing units:
§ 1,104 lower income housing units
§ 688 moderate income housing units
§ 2,081 above moderate income housing units
The sites inventory demonstrates there is vacant R-H (Residential High) capacity for 1,105, sufficient to meet the lower income RHNA, and an additional 412 units on MU-C (Mixed Use - Corridor) zoned sites. The sites can accommodate additional housing units when built at densities higher than the minimum density of 20 housing units per acre. In addition, there are additional vacant R-H zoned sites.
The sites inventory demonstrates that the vacant sites accommodating the moderate income housing need have a housing unit capacity of 1,473 housing units.
The sites inventory demonstrates that the vacant sites accommodating the above moderate income housing need have a housing unit capacity of between 2,035 and 2,340 housing units.
Goal and Policies
GOAL 1: PROVIDE ADEQUATE SITES FOR HOUSING DEVELOPMENT TO
ACCOMMODATE A RANGE OF HOUSING BY TYPE, SIZE, LOCATION, PRICE, AND TENURE.
Policy 1.1 Range of Residential Types. Implement land use policies and standards that allow for a range of residential densities and products that will enable households of all types and income levels the opportunity to find suitable ownership or rental housing.
Policy 1.2 Special Housing Needs. Encourage the provision for housing which meets the needs of residents with special housing needs, including the elderly, disabled, developmentally disabled, large families, the homeless, and students.
Policy 1.3 Residential Mixed Use. Encourage development of residential and mixed uses in strategic proximity to employment, recreational facilities, schools, neighborhood commercial areas, and transportation routes.
PROGRAM CATEGORY #1:
ACTIONS TO MAKE SITES AVAILABLE TO ACCOMMODATE THE RHNA Section 65583(c)(1) states that the housing program must:
Identify actions that will be taken to make sites available during the planning period with appropriate zoning and development standards and with services and facilities to accommodate that portion of the city’s … share of the regional housing need for each income level that could not be accommodated on sites identified in the inventory … without rezoning…
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Policy 1.4 Moderate Resource Neighborhood Sites: Encourage and facilitate the development of the vacant lower income housing sites located in moderate resource neighborhoods in the initial years of the 8-year planning period.
Program 1.1 Sites Development Program
The City will expeditiously process applications (e.g., final tract map, site development permit, building permits) for the development of the Specific Plan sites accommodating the moderate and above moderate income housing need and the high density and mixed use sites accommodating the lower income housing need.
Objective: Facilitate the development of the sites identified in the sites inventory that will accommodate the City’s share of the regional housing need.
Responsible Agency: Community Development Department Planning Division Timeline: Implement the sites development program continuously through the 2021-2029 planning period.
Funding Source(s): General Fund
Program 1.2 Sites Used in Previous Housing Elements
AB 879 (2017) and AB 1397 (2017) require additional analysis and justification of the sites included in the sites inventory of the Housing Element. The Housing Element may only count non-vacant sites included in one previous housing element inventory and vacant sites included in two previous housing elements if the sites are subject to a program that allows affordable housing by right. While no underutilized/non-vacant sites were included in the sites inventory, the City did include vacant sites that were counted in the previous two housing element cycles (all the sites identified in Appendix C, Tables C-4 and C-5).
This program was included to address the by-right requirement for vacant sites included in two previous housing elements.
The City shall rezone, within three years of the beginning of the planning period, (October 15, 2021) to allow residential use by right under the R-H and MU-C designations, as appropriate for the site, and require that at least 20% of the units are affordable to lowerincome households. This program can be an overlay on these specific sites.
Housing developments that do not contain the requisite 20% lower income housing would still be allowed to be developed according to the underlying (base) zoning but would not be eligible for “by right” processing. If this 20% is not met, the City would make findings on the approval of that project pursuant to No Net Loss Law (Government Code section 65863) and proceed to identify an alternative site or sites pursuant to that law.
This program is designed to meet the requirements of State law and further the provision of housing for lower-income households.
Objective: Implement State law (by-right zoning, no net loss) Responsible Agency: Community Development Department Planning Division Timeline: Adopt re-zoning by October 15, 2024.
Funding Source: General Fund
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Program 1.3 2 No Net Loss Program
To ensure sufficient residential capacity is maintained to accommodate the RHNA for each income category, within six months of adoption of the 2021-2029 Housing Element, develop and implement a formal, ongoing (project-by-project) evaluation procedure pursuant to Government Code section 65863. The evaluation procedure will track the number of extremely low-, very low- , low-, moderate-, and above moderate-income units constructed to calculate the remaining unmet RHNA. The evaluation procedure will also track the number of units built on the identified sites to determine the remaining site capacity by income category and will be updated continuously as developments are approved.
No action will be taken to reduce the density or capacity of a site (e.g., downzone, moratorium), unless other additional adequate sites are identified prior to reducing site density or capacity. If a development is being approved on an identified site at a lower density than what was assumed for that site identified in the 2021-2029 Housing Element, additional adequate sites must be made available within 180 days of approving the development. A program to identify the replacement sites, and take the necessary actions to make the site(s) available and ensure they are adequate sites, will be adopted prior to, or at the time of, the approval of the development.
Subsequent to adopting an evaluation procedure, the City will monitor rezones and development of residential units, and update the sites inventory. The sites inventory will be posted on the Community Development Department’s website and will be updated at least once a year.
At least annually, the City will update, if necessary, the sites inventory in conjunction with the Housing Element Annual Progress Reports pursuant to Government Code section 65400.
In June 2021, the City prepared a No Net Loss Monitoring Procedure modeled after HCD’s No Net Loss Capacity Calculation Tool.
Objective: Develop and maintain a no net loss evaluation procedure.
Responsible Agency: Community Development Department Planning Division Timeline: Within six months of adoption of the 2021-2029 Housing Element, develop and implement a formal ongoing evaluation procedure pursuant to Government Code section 65863.
Funding Source: General Fund
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Housing Need Summary
Appendix A describes the City’s housing needs. Table II-2 presents a summary of the assessment of housing needs.
Goal and Policies
GOAL 2: ASSIST IN THE MEETING THE HOUSING NEEDS OF EXTREMELY LOW-,
VERY LOW-, LOW-, AND MODERATE-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS THROUGH
THE PRESERVATION OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING, RENTAL HOUSING
ASSISTANCE, FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYER ASSISTANCE, AND THE
DEVELOPMENT OF NEW AFFORDABLE HOUSING
Policy 2.1 Facilitate Affordable Housing. Facilitate housing developments that are affordable to extremely low-, very low-, low-, and moderate-income households by providing technical assistance, regulatory incentives and concessions, and financial resources as funding permits.
Policy 2.2 Housing Production. Encourage both the private and public sectors to produce or assist in the production of housing, with particular emphasis on housing affordable to persons with disabilities, elderly, large families, female-headed households with children, and people experiencing homelessness.
Policy 2.3 Subsidies and Programs. Continue to utilize federal and State subsidies and County programs to the fullest extent to meet the needs of lower-income residents, including extremely low-income residents.
Policy 2.4: Section 8 Rental Assistance: To relieve housing cost burdens and displacement risks, continue to promote the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program.
Policy 2.5: ADU Incentives: To expand housing choices at potentially reduced costs, implement incentives for ADU development.
Policy 2.6: Senior Housing: Prepare and adopt a Senior Housing Overlay Zone.
Policy 2.7: Reasonable Accommodation Procedure: Promote and make the community aware of the Reasonable Accommodation Procedure.
Policy 2.8: Inland Regional Center Services: Post on the City’s website information on the services and resources available from the Inland Regional Center PROGRAM CATEGORY #2:
ASSIST IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF ADEQUATE HOUSING TO MEET THE NEEDS OF
ALL ECONOMIC SEGMENTS
Government Code Section 65583(c)(2) states that a housing program shall:
Assist in the development of adequate housing to meet the needs of extremely low-, very low-, low- and moderate- income households.
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Policy 2.9: Home Modifications: Provide financial assistance, if funding resources become available, to make home modifications.
Policy 2.10: Home Modifications: Explore with the Inland Regional Center the need for home modifications in homes occupied by persons with developmental disabilities.
Policy 2.11 Independent Living Services: Coordinate with the Community Access Center to promote independent living services.
Policy 2.12 Transitional Services: Explore with the Community Access Center the opportunities that may be available to transition developmentally disabled persons from an institutional setting to a home environment.
Policy 2.13 Homelessness. Continue to participate in the CVAG Homeless Committee meetings and policy planning.
Policy 2.14: Homelessness: Continue to contribute funds to the CVAG Housing First program, or a similar program
Table II-2
City of Desert Hot Springs - Assessment of Housing Need Summary # of Renter Households # of Owner Households
Cost Burden 3,125 1,355
Severe Cost Burden 1,980 625
Overcrowded Households
1.01+ persons per room)
864 203
Overcrowded Households
(1.51+ persons per room)
241 99
At-Risk Housing No existing affordable housing is at risk of conversion to market rate housing in the next 10 year (2031)
Special Housing Needs
Elderly Almost 3,000 elderly households (62+) live in Desert Hot Springs 45% of elderly householders 65+ live alone
28% of elderly householders 65+ are married couples
60% of elderly householders have lower income and a high number and percentage probably experience cost burdens and severe cost burdens Frail Elderly Approximately 450 elderly persons 65+ are estimated to be frail Almost 500 elderly persons 65+ have a propensity to fall multiple times during a year
Persons with Disabilities 3,720 persons are estimated to be disabled (13% of the total population) 2,760 households have one or more disabled member
21% of the households with a disabled member live alone Persons with
Developmental Disabilities
376 persons are served by the Inland Regional Center
296 live in a home environment
70 live in a care facility
Large Families Approximately 400 owner large families live in the City Approximately 700 renter large families live in the City Farmworkers 37 persons are employed in the farming, fishing and forestry occupations Female Householders Approximately 5,300 female householders live in the City Homeless The homeless population is estimated to be 68 persons Source: Appendix A Assessment of Housing Needs
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Program 2.1 Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program
The Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher is administered by the Housing Authority of the County of Riverside. The program provides rental assistance to extremely low- and very low-income and special needs households (e.g., elderly and disabled).
As of September 2021, the Housing Authority provided Housing Choice Voucher rental assistance to 370 households living in Desert Hot Springs.
To assist lower income and special needs households, especially those of extremely low income, the City will continue to support the Housing Authority’s applications to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for additional funding and assist the Housing Authority in marketing the program to rental property owners.
Objective: Provide assistance to at least 400 extremely low- and very low-income households, an increase of 30 households from the September 2021 figure.
Responsible Agency: Housing Authority of the County of Riverside Timeframe: Implementation throughout the 2021-2029 planning period Funding Source: HUD Housing Choice Vouchers
Program 2.2 First Time Homebuyer Program
Desert Hot Springs is a CDBG/HOME cooperating city with the County of Riverside. Through this cooperative effort, City residents and projects located in Desert Hot Springs are eligible for a variety of County funded programs including the First-Time Homebuyer Program.
The First Time Homebuyer Program provides 20% of the purchase price for the down payment not to exceed $75,000.
The County’s 2019-2024 Consolidated Plan allocates $4,353,170 to the Frist Time Homebuyer Program. The funding amount is projected to assist 100 households over a five-year period. The funding amount may assist households living in the County territory and the 13 cooperating cities.
Therefore, the number of households that can be assisted in any one city is limited.
The City will continue to inform eligible homebuyers of the program. First Time Homebuyer Workshops will be conducted by the Fair Housing Council of Riverside County, Inc. The Workshops will describe the “nuts and bolts” of the home buying process and teach participants how to apply for assistance.
Objective: First Time Homebuyer Assistance to eight (one per year) buyers purchasing homes in Desert Hot Springs.
Responsible Agencies: Community Development Department Planning Division, County of Riverside Economic Development Agency and FHCRC
Timeframe: Ongoing throughout the 2021-2029 8-year planning period, Funding Source: County of Riverside HUD CDBG/HOME Funds Program 2.3 Affordable Housing Incentives Program
For-profit and non-profit developers play a significant role in providing affordable housing in the City. The City will encourage and support the development of rental projects that meet the needs Item Number: 7.
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of lower-income renters, extremely low-income households, seniors, and persons with disabilities, including developmental disabilities. Actions will include:
§ Meeting with potential affordable housing developers, providing site information, assisting in the entitlement processes, and considering on a case-by-case possible development incentives.
§ Reviewing published notices for funding availability and causing applications to be prepared for various City housing programs, projects, and activities. § Posting the sites inventory on the City’s website with a special focus on the sites located in the moderate resource neighborhoods.
§ Assisting developers in identifying available sites for residential and mixed-use developments.
§ Offering local non-profit developers and agencies technical assistance and information on City funding sources.
§ Encouraging use of the density bonus provisions through technical assistance and information dissemination.
§ Alerting housing developers with known interest in developing within the City when opportunities are available (e.g. sites, partnerships, City-owned land, availability of funding).
§ Deferring, reducing and/or waiving development fees in order to facilitate and encourage the development of housing that meets the City’s housing needs. § Providing incentives and regulatory concessions to affordable and moderate income housing developments. Regulatory concessions will be considered on a case-by-case basis and can include appropriate deviations in development regulations or other incentives that results in identifiable, actual cost reductions. § For Site 9, which will develop as a mixed use project, the City will provide incentives for subdivision and development, including those incentives described above, as well as the waiver of application fees for the subdivision of the site to separate the 9 acres of R-H from the 17 acres of MU-C.
Objective: Use of affordable housing incentives by private developers which will be reported in the Annual Progress Report, and coordination with the Lift to Rise Regional Plan.
Responsible Agency: Community Development Department Planning Division Timeframe:
§ Implementation throughout the planning period
§ Meet with developers at least once a year with technical assistance and information dissemination
§ Conduct pre-application conferences and on a case-by-case basis.
Funding Source: General Fund
Program 2.4 Regional Plan for Development of 2,000 Affordable Housing Units Lift to Rise is a local collective impact organization based in Palm Desert working toward a future where all Coachella Valley families are healthy, stable, and thriving. Their work brings together community and institutional leaders to collaboratively solve the underlying causes of poverty and inequality in the region. Years of deep data analysis, in partnership with the USC Price Center for Social Innovation, and community listening have revealed that housing instability and a lack of economic mobility are primary drivers of struggle for Coachella Valley families. They organized two cross-sector collaborative action networks (CANs) with over 50 public, private, and Item Number: 7.
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institutionalpartners to address these root-cause issues and radically change the landscape of opportunity for everyone who calls the Coachella Valley home.
On March 16, 2021 the City Council approved the Lift to Rise Pledge and joined the regional effort to produce 2,000 affordable housing units. Table II-3 shows that Desert Hot Springs comprises 10% of the total RHNA allocation to the CVAG Region.
The We Will Lift: Regional Pledge for Housing and Opportunity signals support for the regional approach and plan to increasing housing stability and economic mobility.
Lift to Rise and a cross-sector network of partners have developed aplan to achieve housing stability and economic mobility by:
• Advancing a community-valued pipeline of investable projects that will result in 2,000 units of affordable housing in the next two years
• Implementing affordable housing friendly policies that will facilitate the planning, approval, and construction of affordable housing units in the shared pipeline • Driving a regional investment vehicle to invest in and catalyze the developmentof affordable housing across the region
• Building pathways to economic mobility and security for residents The first three projects to receive capital from the fund with support from Lift to Rise andLow Income Investment Fund are being developed by Coachella Valley Housing Coalition:
● Las Casas Apartments (Coachella, CA): A farmworker housing development that will rehabilitate two existing developments encompassing 128 units of affordable housing for households earning 30% to 60% area median income.
Amenities include: Community Room, tot lots, and a childcare center. ● Vista Sunrise II (Palm Springs, CA): A new construction permanent supportive housing development for people with special needs, including those with chronic illness and those who are currently or at-risk of becoming homeless. The development includes 61 units of affordable housing for households earning 30% to 60% area median income. Amenities include: Community Room, courtyard and dog park.
● Oasis Villas Community (Thermal, CA): A 25-acre, new construction mixeduse project for farmworkers and their families. This will include 160 units of affordablehousing for households earning between 30% and 50% of the area median income, a health clinic, and community-serving retail spaces. Amenities include: Community Room, pool, tot lots, a soccer field and a basketball court.
As a part of implementing Program 2.4, the Community Development Department has transmitted to the Coachella Valley Housing Coalition, maps and assessor parcel numbers of the lower income housing sites, including those to accommodate the 284 extremely low income (ELI) RHNA units. The City is committed to facilitating the development of 200 affordable housing units, which is 10% of the Lift to Rise’s regional goal, with a focus on units affordable to ELI households.
In order to assist to the greatest extent possible with Lift to Rise’s program, the City will:
• Provide the City’s R-H sites inventory to Lift to Rise, as well as to affordable housing developers including CVHC, CHOC, Pacific West, Habitat for Humanity and other Item Number: 7.
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affordable housing developers who are all members of Lift to Rise’s CAN network. The inventory will be updated and redistributed annually.
• Contact land owners and connect them to affordable housing developers’ representatives to facilitate negotiations.
• Offer incentives listed in Program 2.3 when projects are proposed. • Participate in the funding process by writing letters of support to funding agencies. • Fast-track plan checks for funded projects to assure that they meet construction deadlines imposed by funding agencies.
Objective: 200 affordable housing units (10% of the 2,000 sub-regional total) Responsible Agency: Community Development Department Planning Division Timeframe:
§ Transmit sites information to the Coachella Valley Housing Coalition (CVHC) § Work with the CVHC to identify one or more affordable housing proposals § Implementation within the 2021-2029 planning period
Funding Source: Lift to Rise resources which include a SCAG Regional Early Action Planning (REAP) award to fund planning activities to advance the production of affordable housing in the Coachella Valley
Table II-3
Coachella Valley Association of Governments
CVAG REAP Subregion Lower Income RHNA: 2021-2029
Jurisdiction
Very Low Income and
Low Income RHNA
Percent
Distribution
Cathedral City 893 8.2%
Coachella 2,032 18.7%
Desert Hot Springs 1,104 10.2%
Indian Wells 198 1.8%
Indio 2,963 27.3%
La Quinta 689 6.3%
Palm Desert 1,135 10.4%
Palm Springs 953 8.8%
Rancho Mirage 748 6.9%
Unincorporated 153 1.4%
Total 10,868 100.0%
Source: Southern California Association of Governments, Final RHNA 2021-2029, approved by Regional Council, 03/04/2021
Program 2.5 Area Agency on Aging Outreach Program
The City will reach out to the Area Agency on Aging to assist toward achievement of the following Area Plan on Aging goal, objective and policy:
§ Goal: Participate in discussions, coalitions, collaborations, and initiatives that focus on developing age-friendly, disability friendly communities that support older adults and Item Number: 7.
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persons with disabilities, allowing them to remain in the homes and communities of their choice.
§ Objective: Assist with providing safe and affordable housing solutions to keep older adults and persons with disabilities in the homes and communities of their choice. § Policy: Provide emergency assistance in the form of housing, rental, utility, transportation, home repairs and modifications, falls prevention, and mobility management assistance.
Objective: Complete outreach and City support
Responsible Agency: Community Development Department Planning Division and Desert Hot Springs Senior Center staff
Timeframe: One-year from adoption of the 2021-2029 Housing Element Funding Source: General Fund
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Program 2.6 Extremely Low Income (ELI) Program
The needs of 242 extremely low income (ELI) households are addressed within the framework of the programs administered by the City, County, and Housing Authority. Each of these entities addresses the needs of lower income households, including ELI income households. The quantified objectives for ELI households are based on individual programs that address the existing and future needs of ELI households, as follows:
§ Program 2.1 – Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers - 200 ELI households. City to assist the Housing Authority in marketing and funding applications for the Section 8 program to increase vouchers provided in the City by 30 during the planning period.
§ Program 2.4 – Regional Plan for the Development of 2,000 Affordable Housing Units – 40 ELI households (20% of the City’s target 200 housing units). City to actively participate in affordable housing development as described in Program
2.4, above.
§ Program 4.2 – Homeowner Housing Rehabilitation Program – 2 ELI households (2 of the total 8 households). City to mail information to identified households annually and assist in the preparation of applications, including translation and writing assistance for homeowners with special needs or low income (including ELI) to apply.
Objective: Assist 242 ELI households
Responsible Agency: Community Development Department Planning Division and Desert Hot Springs Senior Center staff
Timeframe: See Programs 2.1, 2.4 and 4.2.
Funding Source: General Fund
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Constraints Summary
Amendments to the Zoning Ordinance are necessary in order to comply with Government Code and Health and Safety Code requirements. For example:
§ The Zoning Ordinance will be amended to provide for “employee housing” as required by Sections 17021.5 and 17021.6 of the Health and Safety. § The City will also evaluate, and modify if necessary, parking standards to ensure that they do not constrain the development of housing, specifically senior housing and multifamily housing. § The City also plans to update the Development Permit process to simplify, improve efficiency, and eliminate unnecessary steps. Any future changes will be compliant with all pertinent housing-related laws.
The analysis of nongovernmental constraints shows that – § The availability of home loan financing availability is strong as nine of 10 loan applications are approved. Black loan applicants experience the highest loan denial rate at 23%. Overall, no individual census tract appears to be underserved. § The cost of land does not appear to be a significant impediment to the development of new single-family or multifamily housing.
§ Hard construction costs in California, on average, have increased $68/SF between 2008 and 2018. The cost of affordable housing that is financially supported by Low Income Housing Tax Credits also has increased in recent years. Data specific to Desert Hot Springs is unavailable.
§ The sales prices of existing single family homes are affordable. Monthly rents are generally affordable as 55% of occupied rental housing has monthly rents of less than $999 a month.
PROGRAM CATEGORY #3:
ADDRESS AND REMOVE GOVERNMENTAL AND NONGOVERNMENTAL HOUSING
CONSTRAINTS
Government Code Section 65583(c)(3) states that a housing program must:
Address and, where appropriate and legally possible, remove governmental and nongovernmental constraints to the maintenance, improvement, and development of housing, including housing for all income levels and housing for persons with disabilities.
The program shall remove constraints to, and provide reasonable accommodations for housing designed for, intended for occupancy by, or with supportive services for, persons with disabilities.
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GOAL 3: ADDRESS, AND WHERE POSSIBLE, REMOVE ANY POTENTIAL
GOVERNMENTAL AND NONGOVERNMENTAL CONSTRAINTS TO HOUSING PRODUCTION AND AFFORDABILITY.
Policy 3.1 Residential Development Standards. Review and adjust as appropriate residential development standards, regulations, ordinances, departmental processing procedures, and residential fees related to rehabilitation and construction that are determined to be a constraint on the development of housing.
Policy 3.2 Development Approval Process. Educate applicants on how to navigate the development approval process and otherwise facilitate building permit and development plan processing for residential construction.
Policy 3.3 Timely Permit Process. Facilitate timely development plan and building permit processing for residential construction.
Policy 3.4 Infrastructure Needs. Prioritize infrastructure improvements, code enforcement, and public services provision in high-need areas.
Program 3.1 Zoning Ordinance Update (LEAP Grant)
The Zoning Ordinance Update will address the governmental constraints described in Appendix D – Analysis of Governmental Constraints:
The City will update its Zoning Ordinance to revise zoning and development standards in order to accelerate housing production. This will include reviewing the Zoning Ordinance to update development standards to ensure that the maximum density can be achieved, adopt new permitted uses so that all zones allow for residential uses, amend the findings for Development Permits to eliminate findings 3 and 9, and revise development standards to be consistent with state law.
Objective: Completion of the Zoning Ordinance Update per the LEAP Grant Schedule Responsible Agency: Community Development Department Planning Division Timeframe: Completion by June 2023
Funding Source: Local Early Action Planning (LEAP) Grant and General Fund Program 3.2 Increase Community Awareness of the Reasonable Accommodation Procedure
The City will make available the application for reasonable accommodation in English and Spanish and post it alongside the brochure describing the Reasonable Accommodation Procedure on the City’s website. The City will target 10 households annually during the planning period, for a total of 50 households. Outreach regarding reasonable accommodation will include public service messages on the City’s cable/meeting broadcast channel, distribution of the brochure to County and private medical clinics.
Objective: Complete preparation of the application
Responsible Agency: Community Development Department Planning Division Timeframe: December Brochure distributed and posted in 2022; Outreach and brochure distribution annually throughout the planning period.
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Funding Source: General Fund
Program 3.3 ADU Incentives
The City will implement Incentives which are intended to produce lower cost ADUs, primarily as a function of housing unit size:
§ Inform owners of fee exemptions for ADUs of less than 750 SF § Inform owners of the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program and County of Riverside Housing Authority contacts
§ Provide residents with pre-designed ADU expedited permit plans free of charge § Include additional incentives which are determined feasible by the Zoning Ordinance Update (Program 3.1)
Objective: Implementation of ADU incentives Program
Responsible Agency: Community Development Department Planning Division Timeframe:
§ On October 14, 2021, the City issued an RFP for the design and preparation of building plan sets for an Accessory Dwelling Unit Program. The goal of creating the pre-approved ADU plans is to expedite the plan check process and help reduce the cost of building new ADUs in Desert Hot Springs.
§ Host community workshops on pre-approved ADU building plans and construction classes in English and Spanish in mid-2022 as soon as the ADU plans are developed, and repeat the workshops annually thereafter throughout the planning period. § Prepare an information package to hand out to owners within six months of adoption of the 2021-2029 Housing Element.
§ Post the information package on the webpages of the Planning Division and Building Division. § Implement the ADU incentives throughout the 8-year planning period Funding Source: General Fund
Program 3.4 SB 35 Streamlining Information
SB 35 requires cities and counties to streamline review and approval of eligible affordable housing projects by providing a ministerial approval process, exempting such projects from environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The City has not received any SB 35 development applications or inquiries. To accommodate any future SB 35 applications or inquiries, the City will create and make available to interested parties an informational packet that explains the SB 35 streamlining provisions in Desert Hot Springs and provides SB 35 eligibility information.
Objective: Implementation of SB 35 streamlining ministerial approval process Responsible Agency: Community Development Department Planning Division Timeframe: Information packet availability by December 2021 Funding Source: General Fund
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Program 3.5 Government Code Section 65940.1
Government Code Section 65940.1 requires cities with an internet website to make available on their website a variety of housing development information such as, but not limited, to: fees and exactions; zoning, design, and development standards; annual fee reports; and impact fee nexus studies.
The Community Development Department will complete a full assessment of how the City complies with the requirements of Government Code 65940.1. As needed, additional information will be posted on each Department’s web pages.
Objective: Complete the assessment and add information as necessary Responsible Agency: Community Development Department Planning Division Timeframe: Complete assessment within six months of adoption of the 2021-2029 Housing Element
Funding Source: General Fund
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Housing Need Summary
The City’s housing stock has 320 housing units in need of rehabilitation. An estimated 10 housing units are so dilapidated they should be demolished and replaced.
GOAL 4: CONSERVE AND IMPROVE THE CONDITION OF DESERT HOT SPRINGS’ EXISTING HOUSING STOCK.
Policy 4.1 Code Enforcement. Enforce adopted code requirements that set forth acceptable health and safety standards for the occupancy of existing housing.
Policy 4.2 Substandard Rehabilitation. Advocate and facilitate the conservation and rehabilitation of substandard residential properties by homeowners and landlords.
Policy 4.3 Substandard Unit Compliance. Utilize code enforcement resources to bring substandard units into compliance with City codes and to improve overall housing conditions in Desert Hot Springs.
Policy 4.4 Property Education. Educate the public regarding the need for property maintenance and rehabilitation, code enforcement, crime watch, neighborhood conservation and beautification, and other related issues.
Policy 4.5 Rehabilitation Programs. Continue to facilitate access to rehabilitation programs that provide financial and technical assistance to low- and moderate-income households for the repair and rehabilitation of existing housing.
Program 4.1 Housing Code Enforcement
Code enforcement is an important tool for maintaining the quality of residential neighborhoods.
The City’s Code Enforcement Program involves the enforcement of all Municipal Codes and Ordinances, various State and local laws and health and safety regulations as they relate to housing conditions. The primary method that the City uses to obtain code compliance is voluntary compliance. If this method does not attain compliance, then other actions are taken such as a Notice of Violation and Administrative Citation. The City will continue work to identify available resources at no cost to the property owners. In cases that require a larger financial investment for abatement, the City will work with property owners to identify potential financing mechanisms.
Objective: The City will continue providing ongoing inspection services to review code violations with an objective of 250 housing cases per year.
Responsible Agency: Code Compliance Department
Timeframe: Implementation throughout the 8-year planning period Funding Source: General Fund
PROGRAM CATEGORY #4:
CONSERVE AND IMPROVE THE CONDITION OF THE EXISTING STOCK Government Code Section 65583(c)(4) states that a housing program shall describe actions to:
Conserve and improve the condition of the existing affordable housing stock, which may include addressing ways to mitigate the loss of dwelling units demolished by public or private action.
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Program 4.2 Homeowner Housing Rehabilitation Program
The City is a cooperating city in the County of Riverside Urban County CDBG Program. The County’s 2019-2024 Consolidated Plan allocates $4,235,710 to the Homeowner Housing Rehabilitation Program. The 5-year goal is the rehabilitation of 125 owner-occupied housing units.
Desert Hot Springs homeowners may apply for the financial assistance provided by this program.
The program will provide home improvements and/or energy efficiency improvements for seniors, individuals with disabilities, and low-income (including extremely low income) households.
County staff has indicated that there have been very few applications from Desert Hot Springs residents in the past five years. The City will continue to cooperate with the County of Riverside in the implementation of home repair and rehabilitation programs.
The City will post information on its website describing the County program and encouraging eligible homeowners, including those with special needs and/or low-income, to submit an application.
Objective: Eight homes rehabilitated through the County’s program during the 2021-2029 planning period.
Responsible Agencies: Community Development Department Planning Division and County of Riverside CDBG program
Timeframe: 1 home annually through the 2021-2029 planning period Funding: County CDBG funds
Program 4.3: Abandoned Residential Property Registration In 2008, the City Council adopted an ordinance establishing an Abandoned Residential Property Registration to address the negative impact of foreclosures on the community.
The program requires lenders to maintain homes they seize, register the abandoned properties with the City, and to hire local property management firms to prevent vacant homes from becoming neglected. The program is funded by a $60 fee charged to title holders when they register an abandoned property with the City. The program is initiated with the first notice of default on a property and requires the local property management company to conduct weekly inspections. If the property is found to be in noncompliance, or if notification of noncompliance is reported, the local property management company is required bring the property back into compliance within 72 hours. The City will continue overseeing the Abandoned Residential Property Registration program as it prevents the City’s Code Enforcement Department from spending limited resources to act as the property manager.
Objective: Abandoned properties as they occur
Responsible Agencies: Code Compliance Department
Timeframe: Implementation throughout the 8-year planning period Funding Source: Abandoned Residential Property Registration program fees Item Number: 7.
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Assessment of Fair Housing Summary
Appendix B presents the Assessment of Fair Housing. The assessment includes a demographic summary of fair housing protected classes; analysis of fair housing issues; description of factors contributing to fair housing issues; and a fair housing action plan encompassing priorities, goals, strategies and actions.
GOAL 5: CONTINUE TO PROMOTE EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY IN THE CITY’S
HOUSING MARKET REGARDLESS OF AGE, DISABILITY/MEDICAL
CONDITION, RACE, SEX, MARITAL STATUS, ETHNIC BACKGROUND,
SOURCE OF INCOME, AND OTHER PROTECTED CHARACTERISTICS
Policy 5.1 Housing Discrimination. Prohibit discrimination in the sale, rental, or financing of housing based on race, color, ancestry, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability/medical condition, familial status, marital status, source of income, or any other arbitrary factor.
Policy 5.2 Fair Housing Laws. Assist in the enforcement of fair housing laws by providing support to organizations that can receive and investigate fair housing allegations, monitor compliance with fair housing laws, and refer possible violations to enforcing agencies. Update City processes to foster and maintain compliance with civil rights and fair housing laws.
Policy 5.3 Affirmatively Further Fair Housing. Promote and affirmatively further fair housing opportunities and promote housing throughout the community or communities for all persons regardless of race, religion, sex, marital status, ancestry, national origin, color, familial status, or disability, and other characteristics protected by the California Fair Employment and Housing Act and any other state and federal fair housing and planning law. Update City processes to address significant disparities in housing needs and in access to opportunity, replace segregated living patterns with truly integrated and balanced living patterns, and transform racially and ethnically concentrated areas of poverty into areas of opportunity.
PROGRAM CATEGORY #5
PROMOTE AND AFFIRMATIVELY FURTHER HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL
PERSONS
Section 65583(c)(5) requires that the housing program:
Promote and affirmatively further fair housing opportunities and promote housing throughout the community or communities for all persons regardless of race, religion, sex, marital status, ancestry, national origin, color, familial status, or disability, and other characteristics protected by the California Fair Employment and Housing Act and any other state and federal fair housing and planning law.
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Program 5.1 Fair Housing Services Program
The City of Desert Hot Springs takes affirmative steps to promote fair housing practices. The City works with the Fair Housing Council of Riverside County, Inc. (FHCRC) to provide fair housing services for residents.
The City will:
§ Continue to refer cases and questions to the FHCRC for enforcement of prohibitions on discrimination in lending practices and in the sale or rental of housing. § Work to increase awareness of fair housing protections. § Make fair housing information available at City Hall, Chamber of Commerce, Senior Center, and the Public Library. The information will include brochures and other written information that will be obtained from the FHCRC. In addition, the City will make information available on its Website and provide links to additional resources. § The City will work to obtain training and education on fair housing issues for the benefit of City staff and commissions.
§ Work with the Fair Housing Council of Riverside County, Inc. to ensure that female householders are free from housing discrimination on the basis of sex and familial status. § Post on the City’s website information on availability and location of child care services. § The City will work with the FHCRC to schedule Fair Housing Workshops, information on first time homebuyer workshops, and walk-in clinics
§ Provide information to apartment owners, property management companies and on-site property managers regarding reasonable accommodations, reasonable modifications; and service and companion animals.
Objective: Website: public counter posting of fair housing resources within six months of adoption of the 2021-2019 Housing Element. Other actions to be accomplished and implemented on an ongoing basis as needed.
Responsible Agencies: Community Development Department Planning Division Timeframe: Implementation throughout the 8-yearplanning period.
Funding Source: General Fund and/or County CDBG funds
Program 5.2 Affirmative Fair Housing Marketing Plan
The City will have affordable housing developments implement an Affirmative Fair Housing Marketing Plan, a plan that describes specific steps that will be taken by developers to ensure that renters and buyers who are unlikely to apply for housing without special outreach have equal access to housing opportunities available in new housing developments.
Two components of the Marketing Plan include:
§ Identify the segments of the eligible population which are least likely to seek housing without special outreach efforts.
§ Outline an outreach program which includes special measures designed to attract those groups identified as least likely to seek housing and other efforts designed to attract persons from the total population.
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The City will obtain the assistance of the Fair Housing Council of Riverside County, Inc. to develop the Marketing Plan and population targeting efforts.
Objective: Develop the Affirmative Fair Housing Marketing Plan within six months of adoption of the 2021-2029 Housing Element
Responsible Agencies: Community Development Department Planning Division and Fair Housing Council of Riverside County, Inc.
Timeframe: Work with affordable housing developers to implement the Marketing Plan throughout the 8-year planning period.
Funding Source: General Fund
Program 5.3 Poverty Reduction Program
To address displacement risks, the City will work with the Community Action Partnership to ensure that families living in the lowest resource neighborhoods are aware and make use of the programs available through the American Rescue Plan. Information also will be disseminated on existing programs that benefit poverty income families such as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
Objective: Post information on the Community Action Partnership, American Rescue Plan, and safety net programs within six months of adoption of the 2021-2029 Housing Element.
Responsible Agencies: Community Development Department Planning Division and Community Action Partnership
Timeframe: Implementation throughout the 8-yearplanning period.
Funding Source: General Fund and/or County CDBG funds
Program 5.4 Place-Based Neighborhood Poverty Reduction Program The County of Riverside Community Action Partnership (War on Poverty agency) uses census data to identify poverty pockets in its services territory. Outreach is done in these areas, and partnerships and community projects are then developed to target and engage these high-needs communities.
The City will undertake the following strategies and actions to improve the well-being of the most income-poor pockets, particularly CT 445.07 and 445.09 and alleviate displacement risks in those areas:
The City staff will work cooperatively with the Community Action Partnership staff to determine:
§ The criteria and census/American Community Survey (ACS) data used to identify pockets of poverty
§ The City staff will then complete research to identify the pockets of poverty that exist in Desert Hot Springs (using block or block group data). § The City staff will prepare a profile of information on housing, demographics, and wellbeing (health insurance, use of SNAP, use of public assistance). § The City staff will then work with the CAP staff to deliver in-house services and community projects that will provide beneficial impacts to up to 10 households or residents of the pockets of poverty annually during the planning period.
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Objective: To start delivery of services in neighborhood pockets of poverty within one year of adoption of the 2021-2029 Housing Element.
Responsible Agencies: Community Development Department Planning Division and Community Action Partnership
Timeframe:
§ Complete research within 6 months of adoption of the 2021-2029 Housing Element § Complete project development within one year of adoption of the 2021-2029 Housing Element § Implementation throughout the 8-yearplanning period
Funding Source: General Fund and Community Services Block Grant funds Program 5.5 Mobility Strategies Program
The City will coordinate with the Housing Authority of the County of Riverside to implement mobility strategies. At a minimum, the City will post on its website the Housing Opportunity Area Maps and describe the workshops to be conducted during the 8-year planning period by the Fair Housing Council of Riverside County, Inc.
The Housing Authority’s Housing Choice Voucher Administrative Plan explains that guidance and materials are offered to assist a family in selecting a housing unit. The staff indicates to families that they should consider proximity to employment, public transportation, schools, shopping and the accessibility of services.
During briefings sessions the Housing Authority encourages families to move to high opportunity areas by explaining the advantages of moving to an area that may offer better quality housing, education and employment opportunities. The Housing Authority provides families with Housing Opportunity Area Maps that cover the Coachella Valley and western Riverside County.
In addition, the City will provide residents with information explaining that California law prohibits source of income discrimination. The California FairEmployment and HousingAct(FEHA) prohibits housing providers, such as landlords, to refuse to rent to someone, or otherwise discriminate against them, because they have a housing subsidy, such as a Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher, that helps them to afford their rent.
Awareness of that State law prohibiting source of income discrimination will expand the neighborhoods in which Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher holders may seek rental housing.
Objective: Post maps and information within six months of adoption of the 2021-2029 Housing Element. Establish a working relation with Housing Authority staff within six months of adoption of the 2021-2029 Housing Element.
Responsible Agencies: Community Development Department Planning Division Timeframe: Implementation throughout the 8-yearplanning period.
Funding Source: General Fund
Program 5.6 Displacement Risk Program
Some households, particularly ELI households that are severely cost burdened, are at risk of displacement. Additionally, evictions are among the causes of displacement. To reduce displacement risk, the City will work to implement a program in coordination with the FHCRC; County of Riverside Housing Authority; and Lift to Rise.
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Information will be posted on the City’s website:
§ How ELI households can apply to the Housing Authority to obtain rental assistance § Tenant/landlord counseling services available from the FHCRC § How tenants can obtain eviction information from the FHCRC. § Rental assistance available from Lift to Rise (located in Palm Desert) Objective: Post information within six months of adoption of the 2021-2029 Housing Element.
Establish a working relation with Housing Authority, FHCRC, and Lift to Rise within six months of adoption of the 2021-2029 Housing Element.
Responsible Agencies: Community Development Department Planning Division Timeframe: Implementation throughout the 8-yearplanning period.
Funding Source: General Fund
Program 5.7 Bilingual Assistance on Development and Housing Processes The City has a large Hispanic population (54.5% of total population in 2019), which also make up 90% of all limited English speaking households in the City. The City will continue to provide and expand bilingual assistance during housing and development processes to better assist these households and residents and address potential issues associated with moderate segregation of Hispanic population in the community under the AFFH principle. The City’s goal will be to provide translation services to at least 100 residents annually throughout the planning period.
Specifically, the City will translate relevant materials for the following processes/programs:
§ Permit Application: Translate into Spanish.
§ Plan Review: Create flow charts in English and Spanish that reflect the scope of work required.
§ Code Book Interpretation: Provide access to electronic code books in Spanish. If codes are not available in Spanish, then the individual code sections will be translated. § Plan Review Corrections: Offer translations if requested. § Development Process: Create flow charts in English and Spanish that reflect the scope of work required.
§ Inspection Process: Translate inspections and inspection checklists into Spanish and include more pictures for explanation.
§ ADU Construction Process: Translate into Spanish for both design and development. § Entitlement Process: Translate into Spanish and create easy to read charts.
Objective: Provide translation for housing and development processes, post translated materials within a year of adoption of the 2021-2029 Housing Element, and provide ongoing bilingual assistance as requested.
Responsible Agencies: Community Development Department Planning Division Timeframe: Establish programs and processes by December 2022. Implementation throughout the 8-year planning period.
Funding Source: General Fund
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Program 5.8 Accessibility of Development and Housing Processes To make the development and housing processes more accessible to the community, the City plans to host workshops on various processes and programs described in Program 5.7 above.
The following stakeholders will be invited to the workshops:
§ Public housing authorities (PHAs)
§ Community-based organizations (CBOs)
§ Housing and community development providers
§ Lower income community members & households that include persons in protected classes
§ Fair housing agencies
§ Regional & independent living centers
§ Homelessness services agencies
§ Churches and community service organizations that serve ethnic/linguistic minorities The City will plan for an annual workshop throughout the planning period, and strive to increase participation by 20% per year in securing permits for home rehabilitation, code compliance corrections and building permits.
Objective: Host workshops on housing and development processes within a year of adoption of the 2021-2029 Housing Element, and evaluate participation and progress for continued implementation.
Responsible Agencies: Community Development Department Planning Division Timeframe: Establish workshop schedule and materials by December of 2022. Implementation annually throughout the 8-year planning period.
Funding Source: General Fund
Program 5.9 Place-based Strategies for R/ECAP Improvements In order to improve conditions in CT 445.07 and 445.09, which are both R/ECAPs, the City will implement the following:
• Targeted investment: Focus homeowner housing rehabilitation funds (see Program 4.2) in these two areas.
• Focus code enforcement efforts in these two areas (see Program 4.1). • Recruit residents to serve on boards, committees, task forces and other local government decision-making bodies. All announcements (orally, written and on social media sites) for open positions will be advertised in English and Spanish, and translators made available at Council interviews.
• Expand access to community meetings, by continuing to provide Spanish translation at Planning Commission and City Council meetings on request.
Objective: Assist 10 households annually in the R/ECAP areas.
Responsible Agencies: Community Development Department Planning Division Timeframe: Recruitment of residents, January 2023 and annually as positions are open for application. Also see timeframes of Programs 4.1 and 4.2 Funding Source: General Fund
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Quantified Objectives
Table II-4 shows the City’s quantified objectives for the 2021-2029 planning period by income group.
§ Construction Objective:
Lower Income Objective: The objective is based on the City’s proportionate share of the housing production target of the Lift to Rise Program (200 units).
Moderate Income Objective: The objective is at least the RHNA total for this income group.
Above Moderate Income Objective: The objective is at least the RHNA total for this income group.
§ Rehabilitation Objective (a) represents objectives for participation in the County’s Homeowner Housing Rehabilitation Programs and (b) the number of home improvement loans projected to be approved between 2021 and 2029. During the past three years the average annual number of approved home improvement loans is 30. § Conservation objective refers to maintenance of existing affordable housing through rental subsidies (Housing Choice Voucher) and participation in the County’s Homebuyer Assistance Program.
Table II-4
City of Desert Hot Springs
Quantified Objectives 2021=2029
Objectives
Income Levels
Total
Extremely
and Very
Low-Income Low Moderate
Above
Moderate
Construction Objective 40 160 688 2,081 2,969
Rehabilitation Objectives 2 6 120 120 248
Conservation/Preservation Objectives 400 5 --- 405
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APPENDIX A ASSESSMENT OF HOUSING NEEDS
A note about the American Community Survey (ACS) Data: Single-year and multiyear estimates from the ACS are all “period” estimates derived from a sample collected over a period of time, as opposed to “point-in-time” estimates such as those from past decennial censuses.
In the case of ACS multiyear estimates, the period is 5 calendar years (e.g., the 2015–2019 ACS estimates cover the period from January 2015 through December 2019).
Multiyear estimates are labeled to indicate clearly the full period of time (e.g., “The child poverty rate in 2015–2019 was X percent.”). They do not describe any specific day, month, or year within that time period.
For data users interested in obtaining detailed ACS data for small geographic areas (areas with fewer than 65,000 residents), ACS 5-year estimates are the only option.
Data for individual census tracts is available only from the ACS 5-year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Understanding and Using American Community Survey Data, pages 13-16
A note about COVID-19: The ACS 2015-2019 estimates are the source for many of the tables and data presented and discussed in Appendix A. The ACS data does not reflect the impacts of COVID 19 and, therefore, may not portray accurately the 2021 conditions in Desert Hot Springs. Indeed, the tables and data describe the conditions that existed over a 5-year period, a period that ended in December 2019 which was three months before the March 2020 lockdown caused by the spread of COVID-19.
The COVID-19 pandemic caused job losses and associated income losses as well an increase in homelessness. Persons employed in the food industry would experience disproportionately adverse economic impacts compared to those working in software development or who are able to work remotely at home.
A recent economic report explained that -
The majority of pandemic-related job losses were low-skill, low-wage positions that impacted the region’s at-risk communities the most.
Lower-income Southern California residents already faced significant challenges before the pandemic, resulting in continued housing affordability concerns, domestic outmigration, and an overall reduction in quality-of-life. The pandemic has clearly exacerbated these issues. While federal stimulus may have supported these communities during the initial months of the pandemic, it has since diminished, further complicating the financial picture for many families throughout the region. While lowerwage positions are often overlooked, they are crucial to “essential” businesses and to the explosive growth in gross domestic product (GDP) experienced in Q3 2020.
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Lower-wage segments at the national, state, and SCAG regional level have all felt significantly more employment losses than middle- or high-wage segments.
Source: Southern California Association of Governments, Regional Briefing Book, December 2020, pages 6 and 9
Many of the characteristics discussed in the assessment of housing needs have not changed because of the pandemic. The existing housing stock and its physical condition remain unchanged. The number of vacant housing units, however, may have increased above the levels reported as of January 1, 2020. Certain household characteristics such as the elderly, persons with disabilities, and large families have not changed due to the pandemic. The population and employment projections remain the same.
However, because of the lockdown and stay-at-home orders, many businesses had to close temporarily and some even permanently. This has created job losses and associated income losses. Therefore, the number of lower income households probably has increased above the number reported in this housing needs assessment.
The number of cost burdened households – those spending 30% or more of their income on housing costs - also may have increased because of a loss of income, or no income at all.
But some owners and renters may have skipped making their housing payments which would have dampened any increase in housing cost burdens.
Overcrowding may have increased as some families pooled their resources by moving into the same home. On the other hand, some doubled-up households may have moved from more urban dense communities to less populated suburban and rural towns Finally, homelessness probably will increase in the next few years. The Pandemic Recession is projected to cause roughly twice as much homelessness as the 2008 Great Recession.
Source: Economic Roundtable, Locked Out: Unemployment and Homelessness in the Covid Economy, January 2021, page 3
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A. INTRODUCTION
Chart A-1 lists the components of the assessment of housing needs.
Chart A-1
City of Desert Hot Springs
Components of the Housing Needs Assessment
§ Housing Stock Characteristics
ü Number and Types of Housing
ü Vacant Housing Units
ü Condition of the Existing Housing Stock
§ Household Characteristics
ü Tenure
ü Household Income Groups
ü Level of Payment Compared with Ability to Pay
ü Overcrowding
ü Race and Ethnicity
§ Affordable Housing At-Risk of Conversion to Market Rate Housing § Special Housing Needs
ü Elderly
ü Persons with Disabilities
ü Persons with Developmental Disabilities
ü Large Families
ü Farmworkers
ü Families with Female Heads of Household
ü Families and Persons in Need of Emergency Shelter
§ Projected Housing Needs
ü Population Trends and Projections
ü Employment Trends and Projections
ü Share of the Regional Housing Need
B. HOUSING CHARACTERISTICS
Part B includes information on –
§ Number and types of housing units
§ Vacant housing units
§ Condition of the existing housing stock
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1. Existing Housing Stock
As of January 1, 2021, the existing housing stock is comprised of almost 12,000 housing units.
Table A-1 shows that approximately two of every three housing units are single-family detached homes. Multifamily buildings of 5 or more units comprise one of every six of housing units. The existing housing stock also contains almost 900 mobile homes.
Table A-1
City of Desert Hot Springs
Housing Stock by Type of Unit
January 1, 2021
Type of Unit
Number of
Units Percent
1 unit, detached 7,433 63.5%
1 unit, attached 189 1.6%
2 to 4 units 1,673 14.3%
5+ units 1,535 13.1%
Mobile homes 872 7.5%
Total Housing Units 11,702 100.0%
Source: California Department of Finance, Demographic
Research Unit, City/County Population and Housing
Estimates, January 1, 2021
2. Vacant Housing Units
The California Department of Finance (DOF) estimates that 2,072 of the 11,677 housing units are vacant. The vacant housing units represent a 17.7% vacancy rate. Based on American Community Survey (ACS) data, it can be estimated that of the 2,072 vacant units – § 140 are rental units
§ 142 are for sale/sold units
§ 1,200 are for seasonal, recreational, or occasional use § 590 are “other vacant”
There is no local knowledge which provides insights as to why “other vacant units” comprise 28% of all vacant units.
The “effective” rental vacancy is lower than 17.7% because so many housing units are unavailable to buy or rent.
3. Condition of the Existing Housing Stock
This part estimates the number of housing units in need of rehabilitation and those in need of demolition and replacement.
The housing rehabilitation need is based on 1) housing units without complete kitchen and plumbing facilities (low end); the number and percentage of units built before 1980 (high end); and 3) data from the American Housing Survey on the percentage of the housing stock built before 1980 that needs rehabilitation
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Housing lacking complete kitchen or plumbing facilities provide one indicator of the number of housing units in need of rehabilitation. According to the 2015-2019 American Community Survey, the City had 49 housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities and 82 dwellings lacking complete plumbing facilities.
A unit has complete kitchen facilities, according to the ACS, when it has all three of the following facilities: a sink with a faucet, a stove or range, and a refrigerator. A housing unit having only a microwave or portable heating equipment such as a hot plate or camping stove should not be considered as having complete kitchen facilities. An icebox is not considered to be a refrigerator.
Complete plumbing facilities include: hot and cold running water and a bathtub or shower. Both facilities must be located inside the house, apartment, or mobile home, but not necessarily in the same room. Housing units are classified as lacking complete plumbing facilities when either of the two facilities is not present.
According to the American Community Survey, approximately 5,100 housing units are 40 years of age or older – that is, built before 1980. Data from the American Housing Survey was used to estimate the percentage of the housing stock built before 1980 that needs rehabilitation.
HUD and the American Housing Survey measure housing quality in terms of “housing adequacy”.
Of the housing stock surveyed, 6.3% are “severely” or “moderately” inadequate. Based on the
6.3% figure, it is estimated that at least 320 housing units built before 1980 are in need of rehabilitation. (.063 X 5,100)
An explanation of housing adequacy is given below.
Housing adequacy. HUD measures housing quality by creating a measure called housing adequacy. The housing adequacy measure was classified into three degrees of severity – “severely inadequate,” “moderately inadequate,” and “adequate.” Each sample unit included in the survey had to meet the conditions defined below to be classified in one of the three categories.
Severely inadequate. Units are classified as “severely inadequate” if at least one of the following conditions is met.
§ Plumbing. Lacking hot or cold piped water, lacking a full bathroom, or sharing a bathroom with non-household members.
§ Heating. Having been uncomfortably cold last winter for 24 hours or more because the heating equipment broke down, and it broke down at least three times last winter for at least 6 hours each time.
§ Electricity. Having no electricity.
§ Wiring. Having all of the following electric problems: exposed wiring, a room with no working wall outlet, and three blown fuses or tripped circuit breakers in the last 3 months. § Upkeep. Having at least five of the following six maintenance problems: (1) water leaks from the outside in the last 12 months, such as from the roof, basement, windows, or doors; (2) leaks from inside structure in the last 12 months, such as pipes or plumbing fixtures; (3) holes in the floors; (4) holes or open cracks (wider than a dime) in the walls or ceilings; (5) more than 8 by 11 inches of peeling paint or broken plaster; or (6) signs of rats in the last 12 months.
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Moderately inadequate. Units are classified as “moderately inadequate” if at least one of the following conditions is met.
§ Upkeep. Having only three or four of the six problems listed under “severely inadequate - upkeep.”
§ Other. Having any one of the following conditions: (1) on at least three occasions during the last 3 months, all the flush toilets were broken down at the same time for 6 hours or more; (2) having unvented gas, oil, or kerosene heaters as the main heating equipment; (3) lacking a kitchen sink, lacking a working refrigerator, lacking cooking equipment (stove, burners, or microwave oven), or sharing the kitchen with non-household members.
Adequate.
A unit is deemed “adequate” if it does not meet the definitions of “severely inadequate” or “moderately inadequate.”
Source: American Housing Survey for the United States: 2019, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and U.S. Census Bureau, Appendix A-16 City Code Enforcement staff indicates that approximately 10 single-family homes in Desert Hot Springs are dilapidated and should be considered for demolition and replacement.
C. HOUSEHOLD CHARACTERISITICS
Part C examines the following household characteristics:
§ Tenure
§ Household income groups
§ Level of payment compared to ability to pay
§ Overcrowding
§ Race and ethnicity
1. Tenure – Owners and Renters
Tenure refers to owner and renter occupancy of housing units. A household consists of the persons occupying a housing unit. The number of occupied housing units and households is the same.
In Desert Hot Springs, owner and renter households occupy 44.4% and 55.6% respectively of all housing units. Almost 87% all owners occupy single family detached homes (4,025/4,652).
Approximately 10% of all home owners live in mobile homes.
Renters predominantly occupy single-family detached homes, duplexes, tri-plexes/4-plexes, and multi-family buildings comprised of 10 or more units. Almost 40% of all single-family detached homes are renter-occupied (2,626/6,651).
Refer to Table A-2 for a detailed breakdown of the tenure data.
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Table A-2
City of Desert Hot Springs
Tenure by Units in Structure: 2015-2019
Units in
Structure
Owner
Occupied
Percent of
Occupied
Renter
Occupied
Percent of
Occupied
Total
Occupied
1, detached 4,025 60.5% 2,626 39.5% 6,651
1, attached 59 43.4% 77 56.6% 136
2 77 11.4% 600 88.6% 677
3 or 4 14 1.9% 719 98.1% 733
5 to 9 0 0.0% 620 100.0% 620
10 or more 0 0.0% 914 100.0% 914
Mobile home 477 64.0% 208 36.0% 745
Total 4,652 44.4% 5,824 55.6% 10,476
Source: 2015-2019 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, Table S2504, Physical Housing Characteristics for Occupied Housing Units
2. Household Income Groups
a. Definitions of Household Income Groups
Household income groups are defined in terms of the percentages of Riverside County’s median income:
§ Extremely low 0-30%
§ Very low 30-50%
§ Low 50-80%
§ Moderate 80-120%
§ Above Moderate 120%+
Table A-3 shows that the 2021 income limits are adjusted by household size; for example, a 6- person low income household ($69,900) has a higher income than a 4-person low income household ($60,250).
b. Number of Households by Income Group
Table A-4 estimates the number of owners and renters in five income groups. Lower income households comprise about two-thirds of all households. “Lower” income includes the three groups with incomes less than 80% of the area median income. The number of lower income renter households is twice that of lower income owners.
It should be noted that Table A-2 and Table A-4 report different numbers of owners and renters.
It is not known why different numbers are reported, although Table 2 covers a period from 2015 to 2019 while Table 4 covers the 2013-2017 period.
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Table A-3
Riverside County
2021 Annual Household Income Limits Adjusted by Household Size Household Size
(# of Persons)
Extremely
Low Income
Very Low
Income
Low
Income
Moderate
Income
1 person $16,600 $27,650 $44,250 $65,100
2 persons $19,000 $31,600 $50,600 $74,400
3 persons $21,960 $35,550 $56,900 $83,700
4 persons $26,500 $39,500 $63,200 $93,000
5 persons $31,040 $42,700 $68,300 $100,450
6 persons $35,580 $45,850 $73,350 $107,900
7 persons $40,120 $49,000 $78,400 $115,300
8 persons $44,660 $52,150 $83,450 $122,750
Source: California Department of Housing and Community Development, State Income Limits for 2020, April 26, 2021
Table A-4
City of Desert Hot Springs
Annual Household Income Distribution by Tenure: 2013-2017 Income Group
(% of area
median income)
Owner
Households
Renter
Households
Total
Households
Percent
Distribution
Extremely Low
0-30% 455 2,000 2,455 26.2%
Very Low
30-50% 605 1,000
1,605
17.1%
Low
50-80% 995 1,110 2,105 22.5%
Moderate
80-100%
485
455 940 10.0%
Above Moderate
>100%
1,550 705 2,255
24.2%
Total 4,090 5,270 9.360 100.0%
Source: Comprehensive Housing Affordability Strategy (CHAS) Data, 2013-2017 American Community Survey
3. Level of Payment Compared to Ability to Pay
Level of payment compared to ability is measured by housing costs as a percentage of income.
For renters, housing cost is gross rent (contract rent plus utilities). For owners, housing cost is “selected monthly owner costs”, which includes mortgage payment, utilities, association fees, insurance, and real estate taxes
For lower income households, housing costs exceed ability to pay when 30% or more of their income is expended on housing costs. These households are referred to as “overpaying” or “cost Item Number: 7.
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burdened.” “Severe” cost burden occurs when lower income households spend 50% or more of their income on housing costs.
a. Cost Burdened Renter Households
Table A-5 shows that 3,125 (1,145 + 1,980) renter households are cost burdened. In fact, 59% of all renter households are cost burdened (3,125/5,270).
Table A-5
City of Desert Hot Springs
Number and Percentage of Renters Cost Burdened by Income Group: 2013-2017 Household Income
Group
Cost Burden
30-50%
% of All
Cost Burden
Severe Cost
Burden 50%+
% of All
Severe Cost
Burden
Extremely Low
<30% 140 12.2% 1,515 76.5%
Very Low
30-50% 385 33.6% 455 23.0%
Low
50-80% 505 44.1% 10 0.5%
Moderate
80-100% 50 4.4% 0 0.0%
Above Moderate
>100% 65 5.7% 0 0.0%
Total 1,145 100.0% 1,980 100.0%
Source: Comprehensive Housing Affordability Strategy (CHAS) Data, 2013-2017 American Community Survey
Of the 3,125 cost burdened renters, 37% are cost burdened and 63% are severely cost burdened, respectively. These severely cost burdened renter households are spending more than one-half of their paychecks on housing costs. The extremely low income renters who are severely cost burdened face serious economic hardships.
The County of Riverside Housing Authority administers a rental assistance program called the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program. The program assists extremely low and very low income cost burdened renters to make their rental payments. The program assists 370 City resident households. Additionally, 1,680 households are on the Section 8 Waiting List. b. Cost Burdened Owner Households
Table A-6 shows that the number of cost burdened owners is fewer than the number of cost burdened renters – 1,355 owners compared to 3,125 renters. The vast majority of cost burdened owners have extremely low, very low or low incomes.
No programs are available to ease the hardships that cost burdened owners experience. It may be possible for some owners to take advantage of historically low interest rates and refinance their loans in order to reduce their monthly payments.
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Table A-6
City of Desert Hot Springs
Number and Percentage of Owners Cost Burdened by Income Group: 2013-2017 Household
Income Group
Cost Burden
30-50%
% of All
Cost Burden
Severe Cost
Burden 50%+
% of All
Severe Cost
Burden
Extremely Low
<30% 70 9.6% 240 38.4%
Very Low
30-50% 190 26.0% 220 35.2%
Low
50-80% 185 25.3% 60 9.6%
Moderate
80-100% 185 25.3% 90 14.4%
Above Moderate
>100% 100 13.8% 15 2.4%
Total 730 100.0% 625 100.0%
Source: Comprehensive Housing Affordability Strategy (CHAS) Data, 2013-2017 American Community Survey
In summary, housing cost burden is the most significant problem confronting lower income renter households. A few housing cost burdened renters can be assisted by the County’s Section 8 rental assistance program. For those who are not receiving rental assistance, housing cost burdens create economic hardships because after making their monthly housing payments so little income remains to meet other needs such as food, utilities, transportation, health insurance and child care.
The incomes of cost burdened renters would need to dramatically increase in order for them to have a housing payment that would not consume more than 30% of their household budgets.
4. Overcrowding
The ACS does not define an overcrowded housing unit or household. The ACS does publish data on the ratio of the number of persons occupying a housing unit to the number of rooms in the dwelling. These data are often used as an indicator of overcrowded households. There are, however, several other indicators of overcrowded households such as persons per bedroom, square footage per person, and Uniform Building Code occupancy standards.
Government Code Section 65584.01(b)(1) defines overcrowding as one person per room in a dwelling. Demographers have offered the following evaluation of the 1.01 persons per room ratio:
Persons per room has been used as the primary indicator for measuring overcrowding. In this calculation, all persons (adults and children of both sexes) are counted equally, as are all rooms. The room count does not include bathrooms, hallways, closets, and porches.
To measure overcrowding, we combine two variables to form the ratio of the number of persons in the household to the number of rooms reported in the housing unit. This ratio is trichotomized to reflect key policy thresholds: one person or fewer per room, 1.01 to
1.50 persons per room, and more than 1.50 persons per room. …the highest of the three Item Number: 7.
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categories measures severe overcrowding and is proposed as a less culturally restrictive assessment of behavior that constitutes a ‘problem’. [Emphasis added] Dowell Myers and Seong Woo Lee, Immigration Cohorts and Residential Overcrowding in Southern California, Demography, Volume 33-Number 1, February 1996, pages 52 and 55 According to the 1.01 ratio, there are 203 and 864 overcrowded owners and renters, respectively.
The 1.51 ratio reduces the number of overcrowded households to 99 owners and 241 renters.
Refer to Table A-7.
Table A-7
City of Desert Hot Springs
Persons per Room by Tenure – 2015-2019
Persons Per
Room
Owner
Occupied Percent
Renter
Occupied Percent
Total
Households Percent
Less than 1.00 4,449 95.7% 4,960 85.2% 9,409 89.9%
1.01 to 1.50 104 2.2% 623 10.7% 727 6.9%
1.51 to 2.00 72 1.5% 183 3.1% 255 2.4%
2.01 or more 27 0.6% 58 1.0% 85 0.8%
Total 4,652 100.0% 5,824 100.0% 10,476 100.0%
Source: 2015-2019 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, Table B25014 Tenure by Occupants Per Room
Very few owners are crowded. To eliminate crowded conditions, they could add a bedroom or construct an ADU.
Renters, on the other hand, are constrained in adapting their housing unit to meet space needs.
Fewer people would need to live in the rental unit, or they could move to a housing unit with more space. Some of the overcrowded households may be large families that need an additional bedroom. The severity of renter overcrowding could be overstated because almost 40% of all renters occupy a single-family detached housing unit.
5. Race and Ethnicity
In order to avoid duplication of data and analysis, Appendix B – Assessment of Fair Housing – discusses race and ethnicity.
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D. AT RISK HOUSING
According to HCD:
For the purpose of housing-element law, assisted housing developments (or at-risk units) are defined as multifamily, rental housing complexes that receive government assistance under any of the federal, state, and/or local programs or any combination of rental assistance, mortgage insurance, interest reductions, and/or direct loan programs and are eligible to convert to market-rate units due to termination (opt-out) of a rent subsidy contract, mortgage prepayment, or other expiring use restrictions within 10 years of the beginning of the housing-element planning period.
Nine affordable rental housing developments with a total of 621 housing units are located in the City. The developments range in size from 20 to 154 affordable units. In the next 10 years, no assisted housing developments in Desert Hot Springs are at risk of losing their affordability status.
The at-risk analysis is based on City records and information from the California Housing Partnership Corporation, which tracks affordable housing assisted or financed by HUD; United States Department of Agriculture (USDA); or by Tax Credit Allocation Committee (TCAC) through the Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) Program.
E. SPECIAL HOUSING NEEDS
The analysis of special housing needs includes the following groups:
§ Elderly persons
§ Persons with disabilities
§ Persons with developmentally disabilities as defined in Section 4512 of the Welfare and Institutions Code
§ Large families
§ Farmworkers
§ Families with female heads of households
§ Families and persons in need of emergency shelter
1. Elderly
a. Population and Household Characteristics
The ACS estimates that 4,758 elderly persons make Desert Hot Springs their home, a number that represents 16% of the City’s total population. Elderly men outnumber elderly women by a ratio of 1.14:1 (2,534/2,224). Almost 20% of the elderly are in the “older” age cohort of 80 years of age or older. Refer to Table A-8.
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Table A-8
City of Desert Hot Springs
Elderly Population by Age Group and Sex: 2015-2019
Age Group Male Female Total Percent
62-64 522 359 881 18.5%
65-66 325 301 626 13.2%
67-69 398 305 703 14.8%
70-74 484 415 899 18.8%
75-79 429 279 708 14.9%
80-84 212 273 485 10.2%
85+ 164 292 456 9.6%
Total 2,534 2,224 4,758 100.0%
Percent 53.3% 46.7% 100.0%
Source: 2015-2019 American Community Survey, Table B01001, Sex by Age The ACS estimates that 2,939 elderly households live in Desert Hot Springs. The average household size is 1.62 persons per household (4,758/2,939). Almost 45% of the elderly households are in the 65-74 age group.
In terms of tenure, approximately two-thirds of the elderly householders are home owners. The elderly home ownership rate is significantly higher than the non-elderly’s. In fact, the elderly comprise 43% of all the City’s homeowners. Refer to Table A-9 below for the household data.
Table A-9
City of Desert Hot Springs
Elderly Households by Tenure: 2015-2019
Age Owner Renter Total Percent
62-64 305 251 556 18.9%
65-74 886 420 1,306 44.4%
75-84 599 239 838 28.5%
85+ 209 30 239 8.2%
Total 1,999 940 2,939 100.0%
Percent 68.0% 32.0%
Source: 2015-2019 American Community Survey, Table B25007, Tenure by Age of Householder
b. Living Arrangements of the Elderly
Elderly persons –
§ Live alone
§ In a housing unit with one or more persons
§ Group quarters
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1: Elderly Living Alone and In Households
Table A-10 shows that almost 45% of all elderly persons 65 years of age or older live alone.
Married couples comprise approximately 28% of the elderly households 65 years of age or older.
Almost 27% of the elderly are male householders, female householders, or live with unrelated individuals. Data are unavailable for the elderly householders aged 62-64 years.
Table A-10
City of Desert Hot Springs
Elderly Households 65 Years+ by Tenure
And Household Type: 2015-2019
Household
Type Owner Renter Total Percent
Living Alone 719 352 1,071 44.9%
Married
Couples
554 122 676 28.4%
Male
Householder
164 106 270 11.3%
Female
Householder
162 80 242 10.2%
Not Living
Alone
95 29 124 5.2%
Total 1,694 689 2,383 100.0%
Percent 76.0% 24.0% 100.0%
Sources: 2015-2019 American Community Survey, Table B25011, Tenure by Household Type (including living alone) and Age of Householder
Almost all seniors live in a housing unit. And, as noted above, almost 45% of those living in a housing unit live alone. Living alone can take a toll on some elderly. Some of the responses to the Riverside County Office on Aging survey of the elderly include:
§ “Have to adjust to single life”
§ “Can’t stand living alone”
§ “I feel isolated”
Many seniors living in Desert Hot Springs probably share the same feelings as the elderly who responded to the County survey.
Another key finding is that 71% of all elderly householders are owners. This, in turn, means that housing cost burdens are not as extensive as they would be in a community where senior renters would comprise the majority of the population.
2. Elderly Living In Group Housing Environments
A Group Quarters (GQs) is a place where people live or stay in a group living arrangement that is owned or managed by an entity or organization providing housing and/or services for the residents. People living in GQs usually are not related to each other. GQs include places such skilled nursing facilities and group homes. An estimated 118 persons live in group quarters, according to the State Department of Finance.
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According to the California Community Care Licensing Division, 11 residential care facilities for the elderly with a capacity of 113 beds are located in Desert Hot Springs. Ten have a combined capacity of 57 beds and one has a capacity of 56 beds.
Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly (RCFEs) — sometimes called “Assisted Living” (e.g., 16+ beds) or “Board and Care” (e.g., 4 to 6 beds) — are non–medical facilities that provide room, meals, housekeeping, supervision, storage and distribution of medication, and personal care assistance with basic activities like hygiene, dressing, eating, bathing and transferring. RCFEs serve persons 60 years of age and older.
The level of care and supervision is for people who are unable to live by themselves but who do not need 24 hour nursing care. RCFEs are considered non-medical facilities and are not required to have nurses, certified nursing assistants or doctors on staff.
It appears that the elderly comprise the vast majority of the population living in group quarters. c. Housing Needs of the Elderly
1. Examples of Housing Needs Experienced by the Elderly Research on the housing needs of elderly persons has resulted in the following observations:
Older persons experience another very different category of housing-related problems when they have physical or cognitive limitations that make it difficult for them to conduct their usual life styles, take care of themselves, or maintain their dwellings without the help of others. Depending on the types and seriousness of their impairments, they may have to adopt one or more of the following options: secure help from family members or move into a family member’s home; obtain homemaker assistance, help with personal care, or nursing services from professional paid providers, home-based services, or community care providers, or relocate to a supportive seniors housing option. Older persons that are more at risk of having these limitations and having the fewest options will have one or more the following risk factors: they will be chronologically very old, will be poor, alone, unable to secure any type of assistance from family, less educated, or belong to a racial or ethnic minority.
Older persons may find that they have significantly less disposable income if they incur out of pocket costs for home- and community-based care and health care expenses, in particular prescription medicine costs. Those on fixed incomes may particularly find that paying for these expenses results in their once tolerable housing costs becoming a new burden, and in the case of older homeowners, make it difficult for them to afford their dwelling’s maintenance, upkeep, and upgrading costs.
The physical environment of the dwelling has the potential for worsening the effects of these physical and cognitive limitations. The design features and overall physical condition of a dwelling and its location relative to everyday needs may offer new obstacles or even an unsafe environment for impaired older persons to conduct their accustomed life-styles.
Among the possible consequences: a car or a bus route may become unusable and accessing everyday community needs may become very difficult, an upstairs of a dwelling may suddenly become inaccessible, throw rugs may become a walking hazard, using a stove may become unsafe, or a bathroom’s shower or toilet may be difficult or impossible to use.
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Older persons with unavailable family supports and with the lowest incomes represent the greatest potential demand on their State and locality’s government-subsidized long-term care resources. Thus, these limitations are not just a personal affair, they become the “problems” of stakeholders in the public sector.
Source: Stephen M. Golant, Ph.D., The Housing Problems of the Future Elderly Population, A Report Prepared for the Commission on Affordable Housing and Health Facility Needs for Seniors in the 21st Century, January 2002, page 85
2. Housing Costs Exceeding Ability to Pay
Housing costs burdens are or will become a serious problem to the elderly with the lowest incomes.
According to SCAG’s pre-certified housing data, an 'elderly family' consists of two persons with either or both age 62 or over. Of the City’s 2,079 elderly family households, 60% have lower incomes – that is, 80% or less of the Riverside County median household income. A 2-person household with an annual income of less than $50,600 is considered low income. Many, if not the majority, of these low income households are probably experiencing housing cost burdens.
The Riverside County Area Plan on Aging conducted a Needs Assessment that included almost 1,200 Community Assessment Surveys. Three responses concerning housing, food insecurity, and general economic hardships are noted below:
§ 14% agreed that “I had a utility shut off due to my inability to pay the bill.” § 18% agreed that “I did not have enough money to pay my rent or mortgage.” § 23% agreed that “I had to choose between by basic needs (housing, food, medication) because I did not have enough money to pay for it all.” Many seniors living in Desert Hot Springs probably share the same concerns as the elderly who responded to the County survey.
3. Propensity to Fall Among the Elderly
As people get older, particularly after age 75, they become susceptible to falls which often lead to hospitalizations and increased medical costs. A UCLA health study revealed the age-specific propensities to fall:
The proportion of older Californians falling multiple times during the year increases with age. Among those ages 65-74, 10.6 percent reported multiple falls in the past year, compared to 13.8 percent of those 75- 84 and 19.3 percent of those ages 85 and over.
Multiple falls also occurred more often than average among those with chronic conditions and disabilities, and they were most common among older adults who were legally blind, with almost one third (30.8 percent) reporting multiple falls.
Source: Steven P. Wallace, Ph.D., UCLA Center for Health Policy Research, More than Half a Million Older Californians Fell Repeatedly in the Past Year, November 2014, page 1 Table A-11 estimates that almost 500 elderly persons experience multiple falls during the course of a year.
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Table A-11
City of Desert Hot Springs
Elderly Population Experiencing Multiple Falls: 2015-2019 Elderly
Age
Group
Total
Population
Percent With
Multiple Falls
Estimated Number
With Multiple Falls
65-74 2,228 10.6% 236
75-84 1,193 13.8% 165
85+ 456 19.3% 88
Total 3,877 12.6% 489
Source: Age data from Table A-9
4. Frail Elderly Population and Associated Supportive Housing Needs Based on the Cardiovascular Health Study (CHS), frail elderly indicators include low grip strength, low energy, slowed walking speed, low physical activity, and/or unintentional weight loss. Still other indicators are based on a Frailty Index which accounts for disability, diseases, physical and cognitive impairments, and geriatric syndromes (e.g., falls, deliriums).
The frail elderly need assistance to perform daily living activities. The frail elderly may experience difficulty eating, bathing, toileting, etc. by oneself and/or difficulty using the telephone, getting outside, shopping, and doing light house work, etc. by oneself. The frail elderly may be assisted by in-home care, or by residing in supportive housing arrangements.
There are an estimated 453 frail elderly based on the population 65 years of age and older and frailty prevalence rates. Table A-12 shows that the frailty prevalence rate increases dramatically for the elderly population 85 years of age or older.
Table A-12
City of Desert Hot Springs
Estimate of Frail Elderly Population
by Age Group: 2015-2019
Age Group Total
Frailty
Prevalence
Frailty
Prevalence
65-74 2,228 3.9% 87
75-84 1,193 11.6% 138
85+ 456 25.0% 114
Total 3,877 7.7% 453
Source: Table A-X and Qian- Li Xue, PhD, The Frailty Syndrome:
Definitions and Natural History, Clinics in Geriatric Medicine, February 1, 2011. Based on Cardiovascular Health Study (CHS) Some of the responses to Riverside County’s Office on Aging survey of the elderly include:
§ “Aging is taking its toll”
§ “I am going downhill”
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§ “It hurts to get old”
§ “Will be unable to care for my husband in 5 years”
Many seniors living in Desert Hot Springs probably share the same concerns as the elderly who responded to the County survey.
d. Housing Programs and Services Addressing the Needs of the Elderly
1. Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly and Adult Residential Facilities The elderly live in housing units either alone or with a person or persons. They also live in group home environments that are designed to accommodate their needs.
Eleven residential care facilities for the elderly are located in the City. Ten have a combined capacity of 57 beds and one assisted living facility has a capacity of 56 beds.
2. Area Agency on Aging Services
Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) are local aging programs that provide information and services on a range of assistance for older adults and those who care for them. The federal Older Americans Act (OAA) and the Older Californians Act (OCA) provide the legislative context for California’s 33 AAAs to fund specific services, identify unmet needs, and engage in systems development activities.
AAAs are primarily responsible for a geographic area, also known as a planning and service area (PSA), that is a city, a single county, or a multi-county district. The Riverside County Office on Aging services the entire county unincorporated area and all incorporated cities.
AAAs coordinate and offer services that help older adults remain in their homes, if that is their preference, aided by services such as home-delivered meals, homemaker assistance, and whatever else it may take to make independent living a viable option. By making a range of supports available, AAAs make it possible for older individuals to choose the services and living arrangements that suit them best.
3. Senior Center of Desert Hot Springs
The Senior Center of Desert Hot Springs provides classes, activities and nutrition services for individuals 55 years and older who live in the Desert Hot Springs community. The classes and activities include health and safety related information such as improving balance, reducing the risk of falls, computer and cell phone operation assistance, fitness, health insurance and many other types of services.
The Center works with Find Food to distribute healthy food items including fresh vegetables, fruit, canned goods, dry goods, dairy and protein. Seniors receive the items at the Senior Center twice per month assisted by volunteers and staff. The Senior Center also provides daily lunches to those registered with the Meals on Wheels program.
Events and resource fairs for seniors are scheduled regularly to provide social interaction and informative opportunities.
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The Director indicated that ageing in place is a good concept, so long as we provide the assistance needed to ensure healthy living. Funding for independent living services is of vital importance. Interestingly, the expansion of such services will also provide employment opportunities for those interested in health and human services fields.
4. Senior Advocates of the Desert
The organization is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit social services agency dedicated to serving low-income seniors age 60 and over living in the Coachella Valley. The agency assists seniors with several programs including social security benefits, Medicare, Medical, In Home Supportive Services, and veterans’ benefits.
5. Legal Services
Inland Counties Legal Services provides free civil legal assistance to seniors who are 60 years or older who reside in Riverside or San Bernardino Counties.
Seniors who are low income, 75 years of age or older, non- or limited-English speaking, homebound, live alone or who are disabled, chronically ill, or functionally impaired receive priority in service.
Appointments are held at the Senior or Community Center.
Legal assistance includes housing issues such as mobile home park tenancies, evictions, and removing property liens.
e. Housing Element Policies and Programs
The Area Agency on Aging is responsible for the development of plans and policies to address the needs of the elderly population. The City will reach out to the Area Agency on Aging to assist toward achievement of the following Area Plan on Aging goal, objective and policy:
§ Goal: Participate in discussions, coalitions, collaborations, and initiatives that focus on developing age-friendly, disability friendly communities that support older adults and persons with disabilities, allowing them to remain in the homes and communities of their choice.
§ Objective: Assist with providing safe and affordable housing solutions to keep older adults and persons with disabilities in the homes and communities of their choice. § Policy: Provide emergency assistance in the form of housing, rental, utility, transportation, home repairs and modifications, falls prevention, and mobility management assistance.
In addition, the 2021-2029 Housing Element will include the following types of policies and programs:
§ To relieve housing cost burdens, continue to promote Section 8 rental assistance § To expand housing choices at potentially reduced costs, implement incentives for ADU development
§ Prepare and adopt a Senior Housing Overlay Zone
§ Provide financial assistance, if possible, to make home modifications Item Number: 7.
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The purpose of a Senior Housing Overlay (SO) district is to provide optional standards and incentives for the development of a wide variety of specialized housing designed for and restricted to residents over the age of 55. Whenever the SO has been added to a base zone, the applicant may choose whether to use the optional SO standards or the standards of the base zone.
Section II describes the programs and policies in greater detail.
2. Persons with Disabilities
a. Population and Household Characteristics
Disabled persons can have one or more of the following conditions:
§ Hearing difficulty includes respondents who stated they were “deaf or … [had] serious difficulty hearing.”
§ Vision difficulty includes respondents who stated they were “blind or … [had] serious difficulty seeing even when wearing glasses.”
§ Cognitive difficulty includes respondents who due to physical, mental, or emotional condition, had “serious difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions.” § Ambulatory difficulty includes respondents who had “serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs.”
§ Self-care difficulty includes respondents who had “difficulty dressing or bathing.” Difficulty with these activities are two of six specific Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) often used by health care providers to assess patients’ self-care needs. § Independent living difficulty includes respondents who due to a physical, mental, or emotional condition, had difficulty “doing errands alone such as visiting a doctor’s office or shopping.” Difficulty with this activity is one of several Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) used by health care providers in making care decisions.
Approximately 3,700 residents have one or more disability, a number that represents 13% of the City’s total population. The disability prevalence rate, or percent disabled, steadily increases with age. Almost 50% of the senior population 75 years old or older has a disability. Table A-13 presents the number and percent of disabled persons by age group.
Table A-14 shows that an estimated 2,760 households have one or more member with a disability, a number that is just over 26% of all households. The member with a disability could be the head of household, a spouse, a child or other related or unrelated person living in the housing unit.
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Table A-13
City of Desert Hot Springs
Disability Prevalence Rates by Age Group: 2015-2019
Age Group
With a
Disability
No
Disability
Total
Population
Prevalence
Rate
Under 5 years 0 1,804 1,804 0.0%
5 to 17 years 208 5,132 5,340 3.9%
18 to 34 years 318 5,927 6,245 5.1%
35 to 64 years 1,771 9,548 11,319 15.6%
65 to 74 years 615 1,613 2,228 27.6%
75 years + 808 841 1,649 49.0%
Total 3,720 24,865 28,585 13.0%
Source: 2015-2019 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, Table B18101, Sex by Age by Disability Status
Table A-14
City of Desert Hot Springs
Disabled Householders: 2015-2019
Household Disability Status Number Percent
Households with one or more persons with a disability 2,760 26.3% Households with no persons with a disability 7,716 73.7% Total 10,476 100.0%
Source: 2018 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, Table B22010, Receipt of Food Stamps/SNAP in the Past 12 Months by Disability Status for Households b. Living Arrangements of People with Disabilities
1. Group Living Arrangements
Very few disabled people are living in group living arrangements such as adult residential facilities, residential care facilities for the elderly, assisted living, board and care facilities or skilled nursing facilities. The State Department of Finance estimates that 118 persons live in group quarters, which means that almost all disabled persons live in a household.
According to the California Community Care Licensing Division, six adult residential care facilities are located in the City. They have a combined capacity of 34 beds.
An ARF is a residential home for adults 18 to 59 with mental health care needs or who have physical or developmental disabilities and require or prefer assistance with care and supervision.
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2. Separate Living Quarters
Table A-14 shows that approximately one in four households have a member with a disability.
The disabled member, as previously noted, could be the head of household, a spouse, child, relative or other person living in the occupied housing unit.
Almost all of the disabled population lives in a housing unit. They do not reside, as reported above, in an institutional setting such as a nursing home or rehabilitation facility. c. Housing Needs of Disabled Persons
The housing needs of disabled persons may include independent living units with affordable housing costs; supportive housing with affordable housing costs; and housing with design features that facilitate mobility and independence. The shortage of available, accessible, and/or affordable housing is an acute problem for most people with disabilities (PWD).
According to the Riverside County Office on Aging:
Affordable housing is a serious problem for seniors and adults with disabilities at this time in Riverside County and will increase in importance as efforts are made to reduce institutionalization and provide support to individuals living in community settings.
More specifically, the special needs of disabled persons may include:
§ Accessibility and suitability of key ‘functional rooms’ such as bathrooms, kitchens, toilets (including extra downstairs toilets) which enable disabled people to conduct their own activities of living
§ Structural needs such as wheelchair accessibility, no internal stairs, bathroom with grab bars
§ Flat, level ground between garage and entryway
§ Non-porch stairs
§ Modifications to housing unit
§ Assistance with maintenance and repairs
§ Close proximity to doctors, caregivers
§ Housing costs with the means of ability to pay
To meet some of their special needs, renters may request that their landlords approve requests for reasonable accommodations and/or reasonable modifications. Renters may also need to move to find housing that meets their special needs. On the other hand, disabled homeowners may remain in their homes and make physical adaptations. d. Housing Programs and Services Addressing the Needs of Persons with Disabilities
1. Services that Assist Elderly and Non-Elderly Disabled Persons The persons living in housing units make their home within a neighborhood. Some have become disabled while they lived in the same neighborhood and home. Some, too, are cared for by family members who live in the same home or relatives who have a home nearby. Still others receive care from the In Home Supportive Services Program.
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The In-Home Supportive Services Program helps pay for services provided to eligible persons who are 65 years of age or over, or legally blind, or disabled adults and children, so they can remain safely in their own homes. IHSS is considered an alternative to out-of-home care, such as nursing homes or board and care facilities.
The County of Riverside DPSS does not publish statistical data on persons receiving IHSS by city, age, or race/ethnicity.
2. Community Based Transition Services
Under the landmark 1999 U.S. Supreme Court Olmstead decision, the state of California is required to accommodate those with physical, mental or developmental disabilities who live in institutions, or are at risk of doing so, in the least restrictive settings possible. Living in “institutions” is considered living in a segregated setting - that is, all other persons living in the institution are disabled.
The “institutional” setting in the Olmstead decision was a psychiatric hospital. Additional institutional settings include “institutions for mental disease,” mental health rehabilitation centers, hospitals and rehabilitation centers, and nursing facilities. Some disabled persons living in a nursing facility may qualify for living in a community setting with attendant care.
The Community Access Center (CAC) is an Independent Living Center with an office in Desert Hot Springs. The CAC is able to assist individuals with physical disabilities who reside in institutional settings to regain their independence within their community. Institutional settings include:
§ Nursing home
§ Rehabilitation facility
§ Transitional or supported Housing (minimal assistance available for step-down transition options)
Various levels of assistance are available from the CAC based on need and individual resources:
• General assistance in finding affordable and accessible housing • Financial assistance to pay deposits and assist with necessary household items • Case management to develop a transition plan
• Attendant services to assist with activities of daily living • Adaptive equipment loan services
• Peer support and advocacy
• Information and referral
• Independent living skills training and guidance
e. Housing Element Policies and Programs
Based on the foregoing analysis, the 2021-2029 Housing Element will include the following types of policies and programs:
§ To relieve housing cost burdens, continue to promote Section 8 rental assistance § Promote and make the community aware of the Reasonable Accommodation Procedure
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§ Provide information to apartment owners, property management companies and onsite property managers regarding reasonable accommodations, reasonable modifications; and service and companion animals
§ Coordinate with the Community Access Center to promote independent living services § Provide financial assistance, if funding resources become available, to make home modifications
Some of the policies and programs also have the objective of affirmatively furthering fair housing.
Section II describes the programs and policies in greater detail.
3. Persons with Developmental Disabilities
a. Inland Regional Center Customers
According to Section 4512 of the Welfare and Institutions Code a:
"Developmental disability" means a disability that originates before an individual attains age 18 years, continues, or can be expected to continue, indefinitely, and constitutes a substantial disability for that individual which includes mental retardation, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and autism. This term shall also include disabling conditions found to be closely related to mental retardation or to require treatment similar to that required for individuals with mental retardation, but shall not include other handicapping conditions that are solely physical in nature.” [Emphasis added]
Desert Hot Springs is located within the service area of the Inland Regional Center (IRC), which is one California’s 21 regional centers. The Inland Regional Center serves approximately 25,000 developmentally disabled persons residing in the Counties of Riverside and San Bernardino.
The California Department of Development Services (DDS) publishes counts of consumers by zip code. The Department serves 376 consumers in Desert Hot Springs’ 92240 zip code:
§ 155 customers are 17 years of age or younger
§ 221 customers are 18 years of age or older.
b. Living Arrangements
Many developmentally disabled persons can live and work independently within a conventional housing environment. More severely disabled individuals require a group living environment where supervision is provided. The most severely affected individuals may require an institutional environment where medical attention and physical therapy are provided. Because developmental disabilities exist before adulthood, the first issue in supportive housing for the developmentally disabled is the transition from the person’s living situation as a child to an appropriate level of independence as an adult.
Table A-15 shows that 261 of the 376 developmentally disabled persons live in the home of a parent, family member, or guardian. Seventy persons are living in a group environment such as such as Community Care Facility (CCF) and Intermediate Care Facility (ICF).
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Table A-15
City of Desert Hot Springs
Living Quarters of Persons With
Developmental Disabilities: End of June 2019
Home of Parent/Family/Guardian 261
Independent/Supported Living 32
Community Care Facility 11
Intermediate Care Facility 59
Foster/Family Home <11
Other <11
Age 0-17 years 155
Age 18+ years 221
Source: California Department of Development
Services, Consumer Count by California ZIP
Code and Residence Type, end of June 2019
c. Housing Needs of Developmentally Disabled Persons
According to the State Department of Developmental Services:
Affordable housing is a cornerstone to individuals with developmental disabilities residing in their local communities. Due to the high cost of housing in California, many individuals served by the regional centers require deep subsidies in order to make housing affordable.
DDS is actively pursuing projects that will increase capacity and precipitate the construction of new affordable housing.
Rental assistance is a need experienced by many developmentally disabled adults. d. Housing Programs and Services Addressing the Needs of Persons with Developmental Disabilities
1. State Department of Developmental Services
The DDS currently provides community based services to approximately 243,000 persons with developmental disabilities and their families through a statewide system of 21 regional centers, four developmental centers, and two community-based facilities.
DDS has followed the Lanterman Act’s direction to promote “opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities to be integrated into the mainstream of life in their home communities, including supported living and other appropriate community living arrangements.”
2. Inland Regional Center
The Inland Regional Center, which serves both Riverside and San Bernardino counties, provides point of entry to services for people with developmental disabilities. The center is a private, nonprofit community agency that contracts with local businesses to offer a wide range of services to individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. There is a field office located in the City of San Bernardino at 1365 South Waterman Avenue.
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To better serve the needs of its consumers, Inland Regional Center designed programs according to age, specialization, and geographic location. Categories include Early Start/Prevention, 0-3; School age, 3-15; Transition, 16-22; Adult, 23-57; and Senior, 57+.
The Inland Regional Center utilizes person-centered planning to develop an Individual’s Program Plan (IPP). The IPP outlines the goals developed by the developmentally disabled individual and their support team, as well as the services and supports they will receive to help achieve those goals. Many of the services/supports listed in the IPP are funded by Inland Regional Center.
However, services and supports may be provided by other agencies such as the Social Security Administration, school districts, and county agencies.
The Inland Regional Center’s housing related services include:
§ Independent living skills
§ Housing support services (for example, accessibility services, payee services, parenting support services)
§ Supportive living services (for persons living on their own who may need 24 hour support)
e. Housing Element Policies and Programs
Based on the foregoing analysis, the 2021-2029 Housing Element will include the following types of policies and programs:
§ Explore with the Inland Regional Center the need for home modifications in homes occupied by persons with developmental disabilities
§ Post on the City’s website information on the services and resources available from the Inland Regional Center
§ Explore with the Community Access Center the opportunities that may be available to transition developmentally disabled persons from an institutional setting to a home environment
Section II describes the programs and policies in greater detail.
4. Large Families
a. Population and Household Characteristics
Large families are households consisting of five or more persons. Table A-16 shows that there just over 1,100 large families comprising almost 11% of all the City’s households. Renters constitute 64% of all large families.
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Table A-16
City of Desert Hot Springs
Tenure by Household Size: 2015-2019
Households
Size (Number
of Persons)
Owner
Occupied
Renter
Occupied
Total
Households
Percent
Distribution
5 247 432 679 6.5%
6 81 164 245 2.3%
7+ 78 127 205 2.0%
Total 406 723 1,129 100.0%
Source: 2015-2019 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, Table B25009, Tenure by Household Size
b. Housing Needs of Large Families
The City has more than 700 large family renter households. Renters are constrained by the inability to add space to their housing unit, especially if it is an apartment unit. Large family renters who need more space will probably need to move to a larger rental unit, perhaps a single family home.
Larger families may also need an additional bedroom. Owners, if they have enough income, can pay for a bedroom addition or the construction of an accessory dwelling unit.
Lower income renters and owners face a significant financial barrier to accommodate their space needs with more spacious housing.
c. Housing Programs and Services Addressing the Needs of Large Families
1. Affordable 3 and 4 Bedroom Apartment Units
The following tax credit rental affordable housing developments contain apartment units meeting the space needs of large families:
§ Arroyo de Paz I: 20 3-bedroom units and 12 4-bedroom units § Arroyo de Paz II: 12 3-bedroom units and 8 4-bedroom units § Brisas de Paz: 25 3-bedroom units
§ Verbena Crossing: 48 3-bedroom units
§ Desert Horizons: 11 3-bedroom units
Altogether these five developments contain 116 3-bedroom units and 20 4-bedroom units.
2. County Down Payment Assistance Program
Lower income renter householders are eligible to participate in the County of Riverside Down Payment Assistance Program. Renter householders with incomes at the moderate income level or below are eligible to participate in the Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC) Program. Large renter families can obtain more living by purchasing a single family home.
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3. Funding for the Development of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) Through the County of Riverside, the City is eligible to receive a share of the County’s Permanent Local Housing Allocation (PLHA) funds. One of the eligible funding activities is the development of accessory dwelling units.
4. County of Riverside Community Action Partnership (CAP) CAP is a public community action agency that receives funding from the federal Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) Program.
CAP’s housing assistance program provides a savings match to help families develop an Individual Development Account (IDA). CAP works with the Housing Authority of the County of Riverside and its first time home buyers’ down payment assistance program. Homes in contrast to apartments have more bedrooms and space and can more readily accommodate the needs of large families.
CAP also administers programs and services offering education and wealth building that strengthens families such as:
§ Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)
§ Parent/Children Poverty Reduction Program
§ On the Job Training
Large families that are cost burden can benefit from the poverty reduction program. This program can lead to increased income and potentially reduce the proportion of family income spent on housing costs.
5. County of Riverside Department of Public Services (DPSS) DPSS provides adult services, children services and self-sufficiency services. It provides cash assistance to families (e.g., CalWORKs) and food and nutrition assistance (e.g., CalFRESH).
DPSS has offices located throughout the County including Indio, Cathedral City, and Rancho Mirage.
Financial assistance available from DPSS can help to mitigate the adverse impacts of housing cost burden, which often leaves families without enough income to pay for food and other basic needs.
d. Housing Element Policies and Programs
Based on the foregoing analysis, the 2021-2029 Housing Element will include the following types of policies and programs:
§ Preserve the affordable rental housing with 3- and 4-bedrooms § Promote the down payment assistance program to enable large renter families to buy a home with enough bedrooms
§ Implement incentives including funding resources for the development of ADUs § Promote a large family housing development at an R-H zoned affordable housing site Section II describes the programs and policies in greater detail.
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5. Farmworkers
a. Housing Needs
Thirty-seven persons are employed in the farming, fishing and forestry occupations, according to SCAG’s pre-certified housing data,
Maps from the State of California Department of Conservation Farmland Mapping and Monitoring Program show no farmland in Desert Hot Springs. Due to the low number of agricultural workers in the City, the housing needs of migrant and/or farm worker housing need can be met through existing and future affordable housing programs.
b. Farmworker Housing
Farmworker housing is predominantly located in the Coachella Valley sub-region of Riverside County. For example, in the City of Indio the following farmworker housing developments are located: Desert Gardens Apartments, Fred Young Farm Labor Camp, and Horizons at Indio. In Coachella, the following farmworker housing developments are located: Las Casas Apartments, Casa Grande, Fuente de Paz Apartments, and Las Flores Family Apartments.
6. Female Householders
a. Population and Household Characteristics
A household includes all the people who occupy a housing unit. People who are not living in households are classified as living in group quarters or are homeless. One person in each household is designated as the householder. In most cases, this is the person or one of the people in whose name the home is owned, being bought, or rented.
There are two household types: family and non-family.
A family consists of a householder and one or more other people living in the same household who are related to the householder by birth, marriage, or adoption. All people in a household who are related to the householder are regarded as members of his or her family.
A family may consist of a married couple, cohabiting couple, male householder, or female householder.
A nonfamily household is a householder living alone or with nonrelatives only.
Therefore, a female householder can be:
§ A family with a female householder and no spouse present § A nonfamily householder who lives alone or with nonrelatives only Furthermore, a family female householder may have children or no children.
The ACS estimates that 5,304 female householders live in Desert Hot Springs, a number that represents 51% of all households. An estimated 1,777 female householders live alone and 3,527 live with other people.
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b. Housing Needs of Female Householders
Housing needs often experienced by female householders may include:
§ Housing with costs within their ability to pay
§ Housing in close proximity to work place
§ Access to housing which accommodates children
§ Access to housing near parks and open space to serve the needs of female householders with children.
§ Access to housing which is designed for security and convenience § Assistance with maintenance and repairs for elderly women living alone c. Housing Programs and Services Addressing the Needs of Female Householders
1. County of Riverside Commission for Women
The Commission is located in downtown Riverside. Among the Commission’s purposes are: 1) to identify issues, concerns and needs affecting women and 2) refer individuals to appropriate services, organizations, and resources. It also recommends policies and procedures to the County Board of Supervisors.
2. Child Care Centers
The City has the following child care centers:
§ Two school age day care centers with a combined capacity of 187 children § Seven Child Care Centers Preschool with a combined capacity of 263 children § Eleven large family child care homes with a capacity of 14 children each Data are unavailable regarding small family child care homes.
3. Riverside County Department of Public Social Services (DPSS) The DPSS Child Care programs provide child care payments to a variety of eligible families. From working CalWORKs recipients to parents of children receiving protective services, the Child Care programs offer the customer prompt and accurate access to help with child care expenses.
All child care funds are paid on behalf of the customer directly to the provider of their choice. The State of California sets the maximum rate paid for child care. The amount is based on the age of the child, the type of care used, whether the provider is licensed or un-licensed, and the amount of time the child care is needed. In some cases, the child care provider may charge more than the maximum amount DPSS can pay. In this case, the customer pays the difference. In addition, some families may have to pay a part of the cost of child care because their gross income is over a certain amount for their family size.
4. Child Care Resource & Referral
This state and federally funded program assists parents in Riverside County with finding licensed child care near their home, work, or child’s school. The computerized, geographically based program lists over 2,800 licensed centers and family child care homes. The Online Referral System requests the following family and children information:
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§ Location: near home, near work/school, near child/children’s school § Preferred provider type: family child care home, child care center, or other The Riverside County DPSS also has an online Service Provider Directory. Female householders can complete searches by service type and services available in close proximity to a specific address.
5. Housing Element Policies and Programs
Based on the foregoing analysis, the 2021-2029 Housing Element will include the following types of policies and programs:
§ Work with the Fair Housing Council of Riverside County, Inc. to ensure that female householders are free from housing discrimination on the basis of sex and familial status.
§ Post on the City’s website information on availability and location of child care services.
Section II describes the programs and policies in greater detail.
7. Families and Persons in Need of Emergency Shelter
a. Unsheltered Homeless
Unsheltered homeless are defined as those who reside in places not meant for human habitation, such as cars, parks, sidewalks, abandoned buildings, or on the street.
The January 2020 Riverside County Homeless Point in Time (PIT) Count identified 68 unsheltered homeless adults and children living in Desert Hot Springs. Twenty-two percent of the homeless were chronically homeless.
The City of Riverside had 587 homeless persons, the largest number in the County. b. Emergency Shelter Zoning and Shelter Space Needs
Emergency shelters are permitted in the R-H Zone and conditionally permitted in the R-M Zone.
Low barrier navigation centers are permitted in the MU-N and MU-C Zones. The zoning provisions are consistent with AB 101 which requires that Low-Barrier Navigation Centers are a use by right in areas zoned for mixed use and nonresidential zones permitting multifamily uses.
The living space standards of efficiency dwelling units was relied on to calculate an order of magnitude estimate of the square footage needed to accommodate 68 homeless persons. The efficiency dwelling unit standard is 220 square feet for the first occupant and 100 square feet for all additional persons. Thus, somewhat less than 7,000 square feet would be needed to provide enough sleeping space for 68 homeless persons. Additional space would be needed for staff, bathrooms, etc. It is assumed that 10,000 to 12,000 square feet would be sufficient to meet the space needs generated by an emergency shelter housing 68 persons.
The R-H Zone has an abundance of vacant land that can accommodate the space needs of an emergency shelter addressing the City’s homeless population.
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c. Riverside County Emergency Shelters
There are 14 emergency shelters with a total of 879 beds located in Riverside County. Of the 879 beds available –
§ 305 beds are for families with children
§ 380 beds are for households without children
§ 37 beds are only for children
§ 120 beds in two shelters are for domestic violence victims § 37 beds are in shelters for youth
Homeless service providers continually work toward linking homeless individuals and families to existing mainstream benefits such as Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), MediCal, and Food Stamps (CalFRESH).
The Coachella Valley Association of Governments (CVAG) operates the CV Housing First integrated program model – outreach, intake, case management, and data entry. The CV Housing First Program is funded by grants and contributions from member jurisdictions, which includes the City of Desert Hot Springs.
d. Housing Element Policies and Programs
Based on the foregoing analysis, the 2021-2029 Housing Element will include the following types of policies and programs:
§ Continue to participate in the CVAG Homeless Committee meetings and policy planning
§ Continue to contribute funds to the CVAG Housing First program, or a similar program.
F. PROJECTED HOUSING NEEDS
1. Population Trends and Projections
The January 1, 2020 Department of Finance (DOF) population estimate is 29,660 persons. Of the total population, 29,542 live in households (housing units) and 118 persons live in group quarters.
During the nearly 10 year period between the April 1, 2010 Census and January 1, 2020, the City’s population grew by 3,722 persons or 14.3%. The annual average population gain was approximately 370 persons.
An estimated 10,500 persons would be added to the total population if the City’s RHNA was constructed by 2029. This estimate is based on an average household size of 2.7 persons applied to the RHNA need of 3,873 housing units.
2. Employment Trends and Projections
In 2016, 3,700 jobs were located in the City, according to SCAG’s Connect SoCal Demographics and Growth Forecast. By 2045, the growth forecast expects 8,700 jobs to be located in Desert Item Number: 7.
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Hot Springs, a net increase of 5,000 jobs over a 29-year period. The average annual jobs increase of 172 jobs means that 1,379 jobs could be added during the 2021-2029 planning period.
Job growth alone would not generate the need for new housing in the number calculated as the City’s share of the regional housing need (3,873).
3. Share of Regional Housing Needs/Regional Housing Needs Assessment The SCAG Region’s housing need was determined by HCD. The SCAG “region” encompasses the counties of Ventura, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Imperial.
On August 22, 2019, HCD provided SCAG with a numerical determination of the region’s existing and projected housing need (1,344,740) for the 8.3 year period from June 30, 2021 to October 15, 2029.
On September 18, 2019 SCAG transmitted to HCD a letter objecting to HCD’s regional housing need determination. The objection letter offered alternative regional housing need determinations ranging between 823,808 and 920,772 housing units.
On October 15, 2019, HCD notified SCAG that it disagreed with SCAG’s objection letter and issued the Final Regional Housing Needs Assessment, as shown in Table A-17.
Table A-17
SCAG Region:
Final Regional Housing Needs Assessment
June 30, 2021 0 October 15, 2029
Income Group Number of Housing Units
Very Low 351,796
Low 223,807
Moderate 223,967
Above Moderate 559,267
Total 1,341,827
Source: California Department of Housing and
Community Development, SCAG Region, Final Regional
Housing Needs Assessment
Given the final determination of the regional housing need, SCAG’s responsibility then became establishing a methodology to distribute, meaning allocate, a share of the total regional housing need of 1,341,827 housing units to each county (6) and city (191) in the region.
The total regional housing need is comprised of two components: projected need and existing need.
Three components comprise the regional projected need of 504,970 housing units: household growth (466,958); future vacancy need (14,467); and replacement need (23,545).
The regional existing need is 836,857 housing units (total need of 1,341,827 minus projected need of 504,970).
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SCAG’s Regional Council voted to approve a Draft RHNA Methodology on November 7, 2019 and transmitted it to HCD for their statutorily required review. On January 13, 2020, HCD completed its review of the draft methodology and found that it furthers the objectives of Regional Housing Need Assessment (RHNA).
On March 4, 2020, SCAG’s Regional Council voted to approve the Final RHNA Methodology.
To determine a jurisdiction’s projected need, the allocation methodology uses a three-step process:
§ Determine the jurisdiction’s regional projected household growth based on local input § Determine future vacancy need based on a jurisdiction’s existing composition of owner and renter households and apply a vacancy rate on projected household growth based on the following:
ü Apply a 1.5% vacancy need for owner households
ü Apply a 5.0% vacancy need for renter households
§ Determine a jurisdiction’s net replacement need based on the replacement need survey results
For Desert Hot Springs the Draft RHNA methodology calculated the City’s projected housing need as follows:
• Projected Need Based on Local Input: 3,539 housing units • Vacancy Adjustment: 123 housing units
• Replacement Need: 31 housing units
• Total Projected Need: 3,693 housing units
HCD explains “existing need” as referring to legislative changes which are intended to explicitly address housing production “backlog.” The backlog refers to persons living in existing housing units who would live independent of others (a household) if there was sufficient housing production. Government Code Section 65584.01(b)(1) cites two indicators that capture the “backlog” and form the basis for computing “exiting need.”:
§ Overcrowded households: “more than one resident per room in each room in a dwelling.” § Cost burdened: the share of very low-, low-, moderate-, and above moderate-income households that are paying more than 30 percent of household income on housing costs.
The total existing need of 836,857 housing units was split into two parts:
§ 50% was allocated on the basis of population near transit; that is, designated High Quality Transit Areas (HQTA).
Desert Hot Springs’ share of the regional population within HQTAs is zero housing units. § 50% allocated on the basis of jobs accessibility.
Desert Hot Springs’ share of the regional jobs accessibility is 172 housing units.
The Final RHNA Methodology allocates 3,873 housing units to Desert Hot Springs:
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After determining a jurisdiction’s total RHNA allocation, the next step is to assign the total allocation into four RHNA income categories. The four RHNA income categories are:
§ Very low (50% or less of the county median income)
§ Low (50-80%)
§ Moderate (80 to 120%)
§ Above moderate (120%and above)
One RHNA objective specifically requires that the RHNA methodology allocate a lower proportion of housing need to jurisdictions that already have a disproportionately high concentration of those households in comparison to the county distribution. Additionally, another objective, affirmatively furthering fair housing (AFFH), requires that the RHNA methodology further the objectives of addressing significant disparities in housing needs and access to opportunity in order to overcome patterns of segregation.
With the Regional Council’s adoption of Connect SoCal in its entirety on September 3, 2020, SCAG distributed the draft RHNA Allocation to local jurisdictions on September 4, 2020.
Cities and counties were able to appeal their Draft RHNA allocation. SCAG approved only two (County of Riverside and Pico Rivera) of the almost 50 appeals that were submitted. The SCAG Regional Council approved the Final RHNA allocation on March 4, 2021.
Table A-18 shows the City’s final RHNA allocation by income group.
Table A-18
City of Desert Hot Springs
Share of Regional Housing Needs
June 30, 2021 – October 15, 2029
Income
Group Number Percent
Extremely Low 284 7.3%
Very Low 285 7.3%
Low 535 13.8%
Moderate 688 17.8%
Above Moderate 2,081 53.8%
Total: 3,873 100.0%
Source: Southern California Association of Governments, 6th Cycle RHNA Allocation Approved by Regional Council, 3/4/21 Item Number: 7.
APPENDIX B ASSESSMENT OF FAIR HOUSING
B-1
APPENDIX B. ASSESSMENT OF FAIR HOUSING
A. GOVERNMENT CODE REQUIREMENTS
1. Background
a. HUD’s Assessment of Fair Housing
On July 16, 2015, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) published a final rule on Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH rule).1 The AFFH rule established a process that certain recipients of HUD funding (referred to in the rule as “program participants”) were to use to help them meet their long-standing obligations to affirmatively further fair housing.
The AFFH rule created a standardized process for fair housing planning – referred to in the AFFH rule as an Assessment of Fair Housing (AFH).
On January 5, 2018 HUD published a notice in the Federal Register suspending the obligation to prepare and submit an AFH.
In the Federal Register notice, HUD claimed that, based on reviews of the 49 initial AFHs submissions, local governments needed additional time and technical assistance to adjust to the AFFH process and complete AFH submissions that HUD could accept. Thirty-five percent of the 49 submissions (17 submissions) were not accepted when first submitted. HUD did not discuss why they were not accepted or how meaningful the deficiencies were. b. AB 686 (Santiago)
AB 686 was introduced on April 3, 2017. The June 4, 2018 version added the Assessment of Fair Housing to the program requirements of a local housing element, beginning on January 1, 2021.
Government Code Section 65583(c)(5) states the housing program shall - Promote and affirmatively further fair housing opportunities and promote housing throughout the community or communities for all personsregardless of race, religion, sex, marital status, ancestry, national origin, color, familial status, or disability, and other characteristics protected by the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (Part 2.8 (commencing with Section 12900) of Division 3 of Title 2), Section 65008, and any other state and federal fair housing and planning law.
AB 686 does not ascribe a quantified meaning to the phrase “throughout” a community. 1 The AFFH rule is published at 80 Fed. Reg. 42,272 and codified at 24 CFR Part 5, along with conforming amendments to Parts 91, 570, and 903. The effective date of the AFFH rule is August 17, 2015.
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2. Assessment of Fair Housing Requirements
Appendix B presents an Assessment of Fair Housing for purposes of providing direction to the City on the goals, priorities and strategies it can adopt to affirmatively further fair housing (AFFH).
The Government Code requirements relating to affirmatively furthering fair housing and the assessment of fair housing are described on the next page.
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Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing/Assessment of Fair Housing Government Code Section 8899.50
(a) For purposes of this section, the following terms have the following meanings:
(1) “Affirmatively furthering fair housing” means taking meaningful actions, in addition to combating discrimination, that overcome patterns of segregation and foster inclusive communities free from barriers that restrict access to opportunity based on protected characteristics. Specifically, affirmatively furthering fair housing means taking meaningful actions that, taken together, address significant disparities in housing needs and in access to opportunity, replacing segregated living patterns with truly integrated and balanced living patterns, transforming racially and ethnically concentrated areas of poverty into areas of opportunity, and fostering and maintaining compliance with civil rights and fair housing laws.
The duty to affirmatively further fair housing extends to all of a public agency’s activities and programs relating to housing and community development.
Government Code Section 65583(c)(9)(A) states:
Affirmatively further fair housing in accordance with Chapter 15 (commencing with Section 8899.50) of Division 1 of Title 2.The program shall include an assessment of fair housing in the jurisdiction that shall include all of the following components:
(i) A summary of fair housing issues in the jurisdiction and an assessment of the jurisdiction’s fair housing enforcement and fair housing outreach capacity. (ii) An analysis of available federal, state, and local data and knowledge to identify integration and segregation patterns and trends, racially or ethnically concentrated areas of poverty, disparities in access to opportunity, and disproportionate housing needs within the jurisdiction, including displacement risk.
(iii) An assessment of the contributing factors for the fair housing issues identified under clause (ii).
(iv) An identification of the jurisdiction’s fair housing priorities and goals, giving highest priority to those factors identified in clause (iii) that limit or deny fair housing choice or access to opportunity, or negatively impact fair housing or civil rights compliance, and identifying the metrics and milestones for determining what fair housing results will be achieved. (v) Strategies and actions to implement those priorities and goals, which may include, but are not limited to, enhancing mobility strategies and encouraging development of new affordable housing in areas of opportunity, as well as place-based strategies to encourage community revitalization, including preservation of existing affordable housing, and protecting existing residents from displacement
.
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The Assessment of Fair Housing presents an analysis of five potential issues:
§ Integration and segregation patterns and trends
§ Racially or ethnically concentrated areas of poverty
§ Disparities in access to opportunity
§ Disproportionate housing needs within the City
§ Displacement risk
Government Code Section (c)((9)(A) requires the analysis of fair housing issues to focus on those existing within a jurisdiction. This focus is appropriate because it is the City’s goals, priorities and strategies that will guide the actions to be taken to AFFH. The obstacles of comparing the city to a “region” are explained later in this Assessment of Fair Housing.
The fair housing analysis is hindered because the American Community Survey (ACS) does not produce data for each of the protected classes. For example, data are unavailable from the ACS regarding religious affiliation and the cost burdens experienced by sex of householder or by familial status.
The purpose of the analysis is to provide a basis to identify a “fair housing issue.” For example, does segregation exist in the jurisdiction? Are there racially and ethnically concentrated areas of poverty in the jurisdiction?
If there are fair housing issues in the jurisdiction, then the assessment must identify and describe the factors that contribute to: 1) limiting or denying fair housing choice or access to opportunity and 2) negatively impacting fair housing or civil rights compliance.
The jurisdiction then must identify for each contributing factor, the fair housing priorities and goals and the strategies to implement those priorities and goals. Government Code Section 65583(c)(9)(A)(v) provides examples of possible strategies and actions:
§ Enhancing mobility strategies
§ Encouraging development of new affordable housing in areas of opportunity § Place-based strategies to encourage community revitalization § Preservation of existing affordable housing
§ Protecting existing residents from displacement
The strategies and actions become necessary when a fair housing issue is identified and the factors that contribute to that issue are known to some degree of certainty.
Government Code Section 8899.50(b) states:
In selecting meaningful actions to fulfill the obligation to affirmatively further fair housing, this section does not require a public agency to take, or prohibit a public agency from taking, any one particular action.
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According to Government Code Section 8899.50(c):
This section shall be interpreted consistent with the Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing Final Rule and accompanying commentary published by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development contained in Volume 80 of the Federal Register, Number 136,pages 42272 to 42371, inclusive, dated July 16, 2015. Subsequent amendment, suspension, or revocation of this Final Rule or its accompanyingcommentary by the federal government shall not impact the interpretationof this section.
In preparing the AFH, the program participants – primarily Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) entitlement communities – were advised by HUD to use several available resources, including the AFFH Rule Guidebook, which was made available to grantees on December 15, 2015.
3. Local Data and Knowledge
Desert Hot Springs is not a HUD Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) entitlement jurisdiction. Entitlement jurisdictions are required to conduct fair housing planning as a condition of receiving CDBG funds. Since the City does not receive CDBG funds, it has no prior knowledge or data base that could have contributed to the preparation of the Assessment of Fair Housing.
Local data and knowledge was obtained from local organizations such as, but not limited, to the Fair Housing Council of Riverside County, Inc., Housing Authority of the County of Riverside, Community Action Partnership, Community Access Center, Area Agency on Aging, County of Riverside Department of Public Social Services, and Inland Regional Center.
B. FAIR HOUSING PROTECTED CHARACTERISTICS AND PROTECTED CLASSES A “protected class” is a group of people with a common characteristic who are legally protected from housing discrimination.
According to U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD):
§ Protected Characteristics are race, color, religion, sex, familial status, national origin, having a disability, and having a type of disability. (24 C.F.R. § 5.152) § Protected Class means a group of persons who have the same protected characteristic; e.g., a group of persons who are of the same race are a protected class.
Similarly, a person who has a mobility disability is a member of the protected class of persons with disabilities and a member of the protected class of persons with mobility disabilities. (24 C.F.R. § 5.152)
Federal Protected Classes
§ Race
§ Color
§ National Origin
§ Disability: Mental and Physical
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§ Religion
§ Sex
§ Familial Status
California Protected Classes
§ Marital Status
§ Ancestry
§ Source of Income
§ Sexual Orientation
§ Age*
§ Gender Identity, Gender Expression
§ Genetic Information
§ Military or Veterans Status
§ Primary Language*
§ Citizenship/Immigration Status*
*Covered under the Unruh Civil Rights Act, which applies to most housing accommodations in California
Income, per se, is not a protected class. According to HUD:
…the Fair Housing Act does not prohibit discrimination on the basis of income or other characteristics not specified in the Act, and it is not HUD’s intent to use the AFFH rule to expand the characteristics protected by the Act.
Source: Federal Register July 16, 2015, page 42283
The federal Fair Housing Act prohibits both intentional discrimination and policies and practices that discriminate against the seven protected classes/groups. According to HUD’s Office of General Counsel (OGC), people with limited English proficiency (LEP) are not a protected class under the Fair Housing Act. However, the OGC explains that there is a close link between LEP and certain racial and national origin groups.
C. DEFINITIONS OF FAIR HOUSING PROTECTED CLASSES AND DISCRIMINATION
EXAMPLES
1. Race
The federal Fair Housing Act does not define “race”. Data on race is required for many federal programs and the Census Bureau collects race data in accordance with guidelines provided by the U.S.
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and these data are based on self-identification. The racial categories included in the census form generally reflect a social definition of race recognized in this country, and are not an attempt to define race biologically, anthropologically or genetically. In addition, the Census Bureau recognizes that the categories of the race item include both racial and national origin or sociocultural groups. Census 2010 and the American Community Survey provide for six race categories: White; Black, African American or Negro; American Indian or Alaska Native; Asian; Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander; and Some Other Race.
Example: Discrimination against African-Americans by a Caucasian apartment manager.
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2. Color
The Fair Housing Act does not define “color”. However, it probably refers to the complexion of a person's skin color or pigmentation. The 2010 racial categories can be traced to Statistical Policy Directive No.15, promulgated by the OMB on May 12, 1977. “The four racial categories stipulated in the 1977 directive parallel the classic nineteenth-century color designations of black, white, red (American Indian or Alaska native), and yellow (Asian or Pacific Islander); there is no brown race in the American ethnoracial taxonomy.” [Victoria Hattam, “Ethnicity & the Boundaries of Race:
Re-reading Directive 15,” Daedalus, Winter 2005, page 63] Example: Discrimination against a dark-skinned African-American by a light-skinned AfricanAmerican.
3. National Origin
“National origin” means the geographic area in which a person was born or from which his or her ancestors came. The geographic area need not be a country for it to be considered someone’s “national origin,” but rather can be a region within a country, or a region that spans multiple countries. In general, national origin discrimination can occur even if a defendant does not know, or is mistaken about, precisely from where the plaintiff originates.
Example: Discrimination against a Puerto Rican individual by a Mexican property owner.
4. Disabled/Disability
The term ‘‘disability’’ means, with respect to an individual:
§ A physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities of such individual;
§ A record of such an impairment; or
§ Being regarded as having such impairment.
Disability does not include current, illegal use of or addiction to a controlled substance (as defined in section 102 of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 802)).
Example: Not allowing a disabled individual to have a service animal in a renter’s apartment.
5. Religion
“Religion” refers to all aspects of religious belief, observance, and practice. According to the United States Department of Justice (DOJ), this prohibition covers instances of overt discrimination against members of a particular religion as well as less direct actions, such as zoning ordinances designed to limit the use of private homes as places of worship.
Example: Discriminating against non-Catholics (Muslim, Buddhist, etc.) because of their religion.
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6. Sex
The protected group includes gender (male or female), gender identity, and gender expression. California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act defines “sex” as including, but not limited to, pregnancy, childbirth, medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth and a person's gender, as defined in Section 422.56 of the Penal Code. Government Code Section 12926(p)
Example: A property manager refusing to rent an apartment to a female householder.
7. Familial Status
“Familial Status: means one or more individuals (who have not attained the age of 18 years) being domiciled with--
§ A parent or another person having legal custody of such individual or individuals; or § The designee of such parent or other person having such custody, with the written permission of such parent or other person.
The protections afforded against discrimination on the basis of familial status shall apply to any person who is pregnant or is in the process of securing legal custody of any individual who has not attained the age of 18 years. (42 U.S.C. 3602(k))
Example: Forcing families with children to live on the first floor, or not renting to individuals with young children.
D. DEMOGRAPHIC SUMMARY
The Demographic Summary contains data on the numbers of people and households who are members of six protected classes under the provisions of both federal and California law. The demographic summary establishes benchmarks that will enable the City to track trends as the American Community Survey is released each year.
1. Race/Color Protected Class
a. Race and Ethnic Categories
Census 2010 and the 2015-2019 American Community Survey provide for six race categories:
• White Alone
• Black, African American or Negro Alone
• American Indian or Alaska Native Alone
• Asian Alone
• Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander Alone
• Some Other Race Alone
Individuals who chose more than one of the six race categories are referred to as the two or more races population. All respondents who indicated more than one race can be collapsed into the Item Number: 7.
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two or more races category, which combined with the six alone categories, yields seven mutually exclusive categories. Thus, the six race alone categories and the two or more races category sum to the total population.
b. Definitions of Non-Minority and Minority Populations The non-minority population includes White persons who are not of Hispanic or Latino origin (e.g., Mexican, Cuban, and Puerto Rican). All other population groups comprise the minority population.
The minority population is defined in the same way by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Federal Department of Transportation (DOT), Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (FFIEC), and Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ - environmental justice guidelines).
The race and ethnic categories follow the OMB Policy Directive No. 15 (May 12, 1977) and the 1997 revisions. The OMB’s efforts are to standardize the racial and ethnic categories so that federal government agencies can monitor discrimination, as required by the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Voting Rights Act of 1965, the Fair Housing Act of 1968, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act of 1974, and the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act of 1975.
Source: Victoria Hattam, “Ethnicity & the American Boundaries of Race: Rereading Directive 15,” Daedalus – Journal of the American Academy of the Arts & Sciences, Winter 2005, pgs. 61-62 Ethnicity means being of Hispanic or Latino Origin or not being of such origin.
Refer to the next page for definitions of race and Hispanic or Latino origin. c. Desert Hot Springs’s Population by Race and Ethnicity Table B-1 shows the population growth by race and ethnicity between 2010 and 2015-2019.
During this period, the Hispanic and Black or African American populations experienced the largest numerical population gains.
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Table B-1
City of Desert Hot Springs
Population Growth by Race and Ethnicity: 2010 to 2015-2019 Race/Ethnicity 2010 2015-2019
Increase/
Decrease
Hispanic or Latino 13,646 15,579 1,933
Not Hispanic or Latino
White Alone 8,930 8,677 -253
Black or African American Alone 1,948 2,639 691
American Indian and Alaska Native Alone 161 187 26
Asian Alone 604 853 249
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander Alone 71 22 -49 Some Other Race Alone 27 157 130
Two or More Races 551 471 -80
Total 25,938 28,585 2,647
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau; 2010 Census, 2010 DP05 Summary File 1, Table P9 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino Origin by Race
U.S. Census Bureau; American Community Survey, 2015-2019 5-Year Estimates, Table B03002 Hispanic or Latino by Race
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U.S. Census Bureau
Race and Ethnicity Definitions
The U.S. Census Bureau must adhere to the 1997 Office of Management and Budget (OMB) standards on race and ethnicity which guide the Census Bureau in classifying written responses to the race question:
White – A person having origins in any of the original peoples of Europe, the Middle East, or North Africa.
Black or African American – A person having origins in any of the Black racial groups of Africa.
American Indian or Alaska Native – A person having origins in any of the original peoples of North and South America (including Central America) and who maintains tribal affiliation or community attachment.
Asian – A person having origins in any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia, or the Indian subcontinent including, for example, Cambodia, China, India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippine Islands, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander – A person having origins in any of the original peoples of Hawaii, Guam, Samoa, or other Pacific Islands.
An individual’s response to the race question is based upon self-identification. The Census Bureau does not tell individuals which boxes to mark or what heritage to write in. For the first time in Census 2000, individuals were presented with the option to self-identify with more than one race and this continued with the 2010 Census. People who identify with more than one race may choose to provide multiple races in response to the race question. For example, if a respondent identifies as "Asian" and "White," they may respond to the question on race by checking the appropriate boxes that describe their racial identities and/or writing in these identities on the spaces provided.
Hispanic -Hispanic origin can be viewed as the heritage, nationality, lineage, or country of birth of the person or the person’s parents or ancestors before arriving in the United States. People who identify as Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish may be any race. In most southern California communities, 80% or more of the Hispanic population is Mexican-American.
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d. Race of Hispanic or Latino and Not Hispanic or Latino Populations Table B-2 shows that in the 2015-2019 period, almost 15,600 persons identified themselves as being of Hispanic or Latino Origin. With respect to race – § Almost 73% (11,304/15,579) of the Hispanic population said that their race was White Alone
§ Approximately 22% said they belonged to Some Other Race § 4% identified themselves as having Two or More Races
Seventy percent of Desert Hot Springs’ population is White (refer to the 6th column in Table B-2.
Table B-2
City of Desert Hot Springs
Race of Hispanic or Latino and Not Hispanic or Latino Populations: 2015-2019 Race
Hispanic
or
Latino Percent
Not
Hispanic
or Latino Percent Total Percent
White Alone 11,304 72.6% 8,677 66.7% 19,981 69.9%
Black or African American Alone 206 1.3% 2,639 20.3% 2,845 10.0% Asian Alone 0 0.0% 853 6.6% 853 3.0%
American Indian or Alaska Native Alone 56 0.4% 187 1.4% 243 0.9% Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander
Alone 0 0.0% 22 0.2% 22 0.1%
Some Other Race Alone 3,454 22.2% 157 1.2% 3,611 12.6%
Two or More Races 559 3.6% 471 3.6% 1,030 3.6%
Total 15,579 100.0% 13,006 100.0% 28,585 100.0%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau; American Community Survey. 2015-2019 5-Year Estimates, Table B03002: Hispanic or Latino Origin by Race
2. Sex of Householder Protected Class
Federal and State fair housing laws prohibit discrimination based on a person’s sex. The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) has stated:
The Fair Housing Act makes it unlawful to discriminate in housing on the basis of sex. In recent years, the Department’s focus in this area has been to challenge sexual harassment in housing. Women, particularly those who are poor, and with limited housing options, often have little recourse but to tolerate the humiliation and degradation of sexual harassment or risk having their families and themselves removed from their homes.
In addition, pricing discrimination in mortgage lending may also adversely affect women, particularly minority women. This type of discrimination is unlawful under both the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Credit Opportunity Act. [Emphasis added] Source: United States Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, Housing and Civil Enforcement Section, The Fair Housing Act, July 25, 2008, pages 2 and 3 Item Number: 7.
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Table B-3 presents data on the number of householders by type. Female householders comprise approximately 1,800 of the City’s approximately 10,500 householders. The largest numbers of householders are married couples (3,545) and householders living alone (3,598).
Table B-3
City of Desert Hot Springs
Number of Households by Type: 2015-2019
Household Type Number Percent
Married Couples 3,545 33.8%
Female Householders 1,829 17.5%
Male Householders 723 6.9%
Householder Living Alone 3,598 34.3%
Householder Living w/Others 781 7.5%
Total 10,476 100.0%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau; American Community Survey.
2015-2019 5-Year Estimates, Table S2501 Occupancy
Characteristics
3. National Origin/Ancestry Protected Class
The federal Fair Housing Act and California Fair Employment and Housing Act prohibit discrimination based upon national origin. According to the United States Department of Justice, such discrimination can be based either upon the country of an individual’s birth or where his or her ancestors originated.
a. Foreign Born Population by Region of Birth
The foreign-born population includes anyone who is not a U.S. citizen or a U.S. national at birth, including respondents who indicated they were a U.S. citizen by naturalization or not a U.S. citizen. Table B-4 indicates that Desert Hot Springs’ foreign born population consists of approximately 7,000 persons. Of this total number about 11% were born in Asia and 82% were born in Latin America.
b. Origins of the Hispanic or Latino Population
Almost 15,600 Hispanic or Latino persons reside in Desert Hot Springs. Table B-5 shows that Mexico is the origin of 88% of all Hispanic persons.
c. Origins of Asian Persons
Table B-6 shows the origins of the Asian population. More than a third of the Asian population is of Filipino origin. Origin information is unknown for almost 17% of the population.
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Table B-4
City of Desert Hot Springs
Foreign Born Population by Region of Birth: 2015-2019
Region Number Percent
Europe 293 4.2%
Asia 769 11.0%
Africa 37 0.5%
Oceania 0 0.0%
Latin America 5,734 81.7%
North America 189 2.7%
Total 7,022 100.0%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau; American
Community Survey. 2015-2019 5-Year
Estimates, Table DP02 Selected Social
Characteristics in Desert Hot Springs
Table B-5
City of Desert Hot Springs
Persons of Hispanic Origin: 2010 and 2015-2019
2015-2019
Hispanic Origin Number Percent
Mexican 13,715 88.0%
Puerto Rican 257 1.6%
Cuban 20 0.1%
Other Spanish/Hispanic 1,587 10.2%
Total 15,579 100.0%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau; 2010 Census,
Summary File 1, QT-P3 Race and Hispanic or Latino
Origin
U.S. Census Bureau; American Community Survey,
2015-2019 5-Year Estimates, Table DP05: ACS
Demographic and Housing Characteristics
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Table B-6
City of Desert Hot Springs
Origins of Asian Population: 2015-2019
Origin Number Percent
Asian Indian 0 0.0%
Chinese 93 10.9%
Filipino 288 33.8%
Japanese 114 13.4%
Korean 10 1.2%
Vietnamese 205 24.0%
Other Asian 143 16.8%
Total 853 100.0%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau; American
Community Survey. 2015-2019 5-Year
Estimates, Table DP02 Selected Social
Characteristics in Desert Hot Springs
4. Familial Status Protected Class
a. Background
The Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988 prohibits discriminatory housing practices based on familial status. In most instances, according to the United States Department of Justice, the Act prohibits a housing provider from refusing to rent or sell to families with children. However, housing may be designated as housing for older persons (55 years + of age). This type of housing, which meets the standards set forth in the Housing for Older Persons Act of 1995, may operate as “senior housing” and exclude families with children.
The Act protects families with children less than 18 years of age, pregnant women, or families in the process of securing custody of a child under 18 years of age. The federal Department of Justice has stated:
In addition to prohibiting the outright denial of housing to families with children, the Act also prevents housing providers from imposing any special requirements or conditions on tenants with children. For example, landlords may not locate families with children in any single portion of a complex, place an unreasonable restriction on the number of persons who may reside in a dwelling, or limit their access to recreational services provided to other tenants.
Source: United States Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, Housing and Civil Enforcement Section, The Fair Housing Act, July 25, 2008, page 3 b. Population Characteristics
More than one fourth of all households have children (2,799/10,476). The majority of families with children are married couples (1,475) and female householders (889). Refer to Table B-7.
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Table B-7
City of Desert Hot Springs
Households with Children: 2015-2019
Household Type
With
Children
Percent
Distribution
Married Couples 1,475 52.7%
Cohabiting Couples 316 11.3%
Female Householders, No Husband Present 889 31.8%
Male Householders, No Wife Present 119 4.2%
Total 2,799 100.0%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau; American Community Survey, 2015-2019 5-Year Estimates, Table 02 Selected Social Characteristics
Non-family households do not have children. A non-family household is a householder living alone or with nonrelatives only. Unmarried couple households, whether opposite-sex or same-sex, with no relatives of the householder present are tabulated as nonfamily households.
5. Handicap/Disability Protected Class
a. Background
The federal Fair Housing Act prohibits discriminatory housing practices based on handicap/disability. Among other prohibitions, the Act is intended to prohibit the application of special restrictive covenants and conditional or special use permits that have the effect of limiting the ability of such individuals to live in the residence of their choice. Fair housing laws, therefore, make it illegal to deny a housing opportunity on the basis of disabilities.
In addition, the law prohibits applying one standard to one class of individuals while applying a different standard to another class of individuals. For example, it would be illegal to ask a disabled individual applying for an apartment to provide a credit report if non-disabled applicants do not have to provide one.
Housing opportunities for disabled persons are impeded by practices in both the private and public sectors. For instance, “denied reasonable modification/accommodation” is often cited as an alleged act in housing discrimination complaints. Additionally, apartment rental ads often state “no pets allowed,” even though disabled persons may have service or companion animals. In the public sector, housing opportunities can be impeded because a community has not adopted a reasonable accommodation procedure, or if adopted has not made the procedure widely known in the community.
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The United States Department of Justice has indicated a major focus of its efforts is on public sector impediments that may restrict housing opportunities for disabled persons. The Department has stated:
The Division’s enforcement of the Fair Housing Act’s protections for persons with disabilities has concentrated on two major areas. One is insuring that zoning and other regulations concerning land use are not employed to hinder the residential choices of these individuals, including unnecessarily restricting communal, or congregate, residential arrangements, such as group homes. The second area is insuring that newly constructed multifamily housing is built in accordance with the Fair Housing Act’s accessibility requirements so that it is accessible to and usable by people with disabilities, and, in particular, those who use wheelchairs.
Source: United States Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, Housing and Civil Enforcement Section, The Fair Housing Act, July 25, 2008, page 4 b. Population and Household Characteristics
About 3,700 residents have one or more disability, a number that represents 13% of Desert Hot Springs’ total population. The disability prevalence rate, or percent disabled, steadily increases with age. Nearly half of the senior population 75 years old or older has a disability. Table B-8 presents the number and percent of disabled persons by age group.
Table B-8
City of Desert Hot Springs
Disability Prevalence Rates by Age Group: 2015-2019
Age Group
With a
Disability
No
Disability
Total
Population
Prevalence
Rate
Under 5 years 0 1,804 1,804 0.0%
5 to 17 years 208 5,132 5,340 3.9%
18 to 34 years 318 5,927 6,245 5.1%
35 to 64 years 1,771 9,548 11,319 15.6%
65 to 74 years 615 1,613 2,228 27.6%
75 years + 808 841 1,649 49.0%
Total 3,720 24,865 28,585 13.0%
Source: 2015-2019 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, Table B18101, Sex by Age by Disability Status
Table B-9 shows that almost 2,800 households have one or more member with a disability, a number that equals 26.3% of all households. The member with a disability could be the head of household, a spouse, a child or other related or unrelated person living in the housing unit.
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Table B-9
City of Desert Hot Springs
Disabled Householders: 2015-2019
Household Disability Status Number Percent
Households with one or more persons with a disability 2,760 26.3% Households with no persons with a disability 7,716 73.7% Total 10,476 100.0%
Source: 2015-2019 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, Table B22010, Receipt of Food Stamps/SNAP in the Past 12 Months by Disability Status for Household
6. Limited English Proficiency (LEP) Protected Class
a. Background
LEP refers to a person’s limited ability to read, write, speak, or understand English. Individuals who are LEP are not a protected class under the federal Fair Housing Act. Nonetheless, the Act prohibits housing providers from using LEP selectively based on a protected class or as a pretext for discrimination because of a protected class. The Act also prohibits housing providers from using LEP in a way that causes an unjustified discriminatory effect. b. LEP Households
A “Limited English speaking household” is one in which no member 14 years old and over (1) speaks only English at home or (2) speaks a language other than English at home and speaks English “Very well.”
Respondents were asked to indicate their English-speaking ability based on one of the following categories: “Very well,” “Well,” “Not well,” or “Not at all.” Those who answered “Well,” “Not well,” or “Not at all” are sometimes referred to as “Less than ‘very well.’” After data are collected for each person in the household, the limited English-speaking household variable is calculated by checking if all people 14 years old and older speak a language other than English. If so, the calculation checks the English-speaking ability responses to see if all people 14 years old and older speak English “Less than ‘very well.’” If all household members 14 and over speak a language other than English and speak English “Less than ‘very well,’” the household is considered part of this group that may be in need of English language assistance.
There are an estimated 751 limited English speaking households residing in Desert Hot Springs.
The vast majority –90% - of limited English speaking households speak Spanish.
Refer to Table B-10 for data on the number and percentage of limited English speaking households.
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Table B-10
City of Desert Hot Springs
Limited English Speaking Households: 2015-2019
Households Speaking
Limited EnglishSpeaking HouseholdsPercent of all Limited EnglishSpeaking Households Spanish 676 90.0%
Other Indo-European Languages 94 1.2%
Asian and Pacific Island Languages 52 6.9%
Other Languages 14 1.9%
Total 751 100.0%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau; American Community Survey, 2015-2019 5-Year Estimates, Table B16002, Household Language by Household Limited English Speaking Status c. Primary Language
In California, “primary language” is a protected class. Primary language means that people whose first language is not English are protected from housing discrimination. Tenants have the right to use their preferred language and private housing providers do not have to provide a translator, but they must speak with a translator if the tenant has one. Tenants whose first language is not English should not be treated differently, harassed, or refused housing/services.
7. Source of Income Discrimination
The California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) protects people from housing discrimination. The latest amendment to the law regarding source of income protections adds people using a federal, state, or local housing subsidy to this list of protected groups. This means, beginning on January 1, 2020, housing providers, such as landlords, cannot refuse to rent to someone, or otherwise discriminate against them, because they have a housing subsidy, such as a Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher, that helps them to afford their rent.
The new law prohibits discrimination against any applicant because the applicant is using a federal, state, or local housing subsidy to assist with paying rent. Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers, the HUD- VASH program, Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Programs, Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS and security deposit assistance programs, among others, all fall within the scope of the new law’s protection. This list of protected subsidies also includes locally funded subsidy programs created by cities, counties and public agencies to address growing homelessness.
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E. DEFINING THE REGION FOR CITY TO REGION COMPARISONS
1. HUD’s CBSA “Region”
The HUD Index of Dissimilarity data and access to opportunity indicators define a Region based on the United States Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Core Based Statistical Areas (CBSAs) definition. The OMB defines a Core Based Statistical Area as one or more adjacent counties or county equivalents that have at least one urban area of at least 10,000 people plus adjacent territory that has a high degree of social and economic integration with the core as measured by commuting ties.
The “Region,” for purposes of HUD’s tables, indices, and dot density maps, encompasses all the cities and unincorporated communities located in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties, a vast geographic area of some 27,408 square miles. The distance from the city halls of Blythe (Riverside County) and Ontario (San Bernardino County) is 188 miles, a 3 hour drive. The distance from the city halls of Needles (San Bernardino County) and Rancho Cucamonga (San Bernardino County) is 215 miles, a 3 and 1/2 hour drive.
2. Council of Governments Regions
Three “regional” governments operate in this vast Region used by HUD in its assessment of fair housing tables.
The San Bernardino Associated Governments (SANBAG) is an association of local San Bernardino governments and includes 25 member jurisdictions. The “region” includes four distinct sub regions: desert, mountain, east valley and west valley.
The Western Riverside Council of Governments (WRCOG) includes representatives from 17 cities, the Riverside County Board of Supervisors, the Eastern and Western Municipal Water Districts, and the Morongo Band of Mission Indians.
The Coachella Valley Association of Governments (CVAG) is a California joint powers authority made up of the cities of Blythe, Cathedral City, Coachella, Desert Hot Springs, Indian Wells, Indio, La Quinta, Palm Desert, Palm Springs, and Rancho Mirage; the County of Riverside; and two Indian Tribes: Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians and Cabazon Band of Mission Indians.
3. TCAC/HCD’s Inland Empire Region
This Region includes the counties of Riverside and San Bernardino and the non-rural areas of Imperial County.
The former chief demographer for the County of Riverside explained to the City’s consultant that a question exists regarding the meaningfulness and applicability of the TCAC/HCD Opportunity Mapping Tool to the City of Desert Hot Springs as currently calculated. The primary issue is the size of the metropolitan area which includes the Counties of Riverside and San Bernardino plus portions of Imperial County. As has been noted this is an area of over 27,000 square miles. This is an area that is larger than many states or, to put it into perspective, it is 3,000 square miles larger than West Virginia the state with the closest land mass to this three-county area.
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Also, Desert Hot Springs is located in the Coachella Valley an area that does not associate itself with the Inland Empire, which is more an identity of the western region of this two County area, which is more directly linked to the Los Angeles and Orange County metropolitan area. Even within the Coachella Valley, there is a cluster of cities from Palm Springs to Coachella, while Desert Hot Springs sits alone nearly 11 miles away from its closest neighbor Palm Springs.
4. Riverside County
Riverside County is roughly divided into eastern and western halves by the San Jacinto and Santa Rosa Mountains. A deep valley known as the San Gorgonio Pass, framed by the San Jacinto and San Gorgonio Mountains, creates an accessible corridor linking these two halves. The San Bernardino and Little San Bernardino Mountains form a portion of the northern boundary while numerous mountain ranges, including those in the Santa Rosa Wilderness and Cleveland National Forest, among others, serve as boundaries along the southern and western edges of the county. These eastern and western halves of the county are distinguished by their physical characteristics as well as their historic growth patterns.
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Exhibit B-1
San Bernardino Associated Governments
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Exhibit B-2
Western Riverside Council of Governments
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Exhibit B-3
Coachella Valley Cities and Spheres of Influence
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Exhibit B-4
City of Desert Hot Springs and Sphere of Influence
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The western portion of the county is roughly half the size of the eastern half and is bounded by the Santa Ana Mountains and Cleveland National Forest on the west and the San Jacinto Mountains and the San Bernardino National Forest on the east. Compared to eastern Riverside County, the western portion of the county contains the greatest concentration of population and has experienced the greatest growth pressures. The majority of this population is concentrated in the incorporated cities of Corona, Riverside, Beaumont, Banning, Norco, Lake Elsinore, Perris, Hemet, San Jacinto, Moreno Valley, Calimesa, Canyon Lake, Murrieta, and Temecula.
The eastern portion of Riverside County is bounded by the Colorado River on the east and the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains on the west. This portion of the county is distinguished from the western portion of the county by its desert terrain and relatively less populated and congested communities. The vast majority of eastern Riverside County's population is concentrated in the Coachella Valley.
The Joshua Tree National Park, known for its rich desert habitat, forms a permanent natural boundary at the northern end of the Coachella Valley. The Whitewater River, a seasonal river which forms in the San Bernardino Mountains, flows through the Coachella Valley and eventually into the Salton Sea at the Valley’s southern end. The City of Blythe is located in the Palo Verde Valley along the Colorado River, which provides the source for one of the most productive agricultural regions in the county.
5. The Ideal Region
Because of the vast geography encompassed by “Regions” described above and the differences in the characteristics between Riverside County and San Bernardino County and between western Riverside County and the Coachella Valley, no ideal “region” exists for purposes of comparing Desert Hot Springs to the “region.”
The ideal region would be the Coachella Valley if all the appropriate data were produced for this geographic area as an entity. However, data pertaining to fair housing issues are limited for this ideal region.
Consequently, by default the City has selected different regions based on the data available:
CBSA, Riverside County, and Coachella Valley.
F. SEGREGATION/INTEGRATION ANALYSIS
For the purposes of the AFFH rule, “segregation” “means a condition in which there is a high concentration of persons of a particular race, color, religion, sex, familial status, national origin, or having a disability or a type of disability in a particular geographic area when compared to a broader geographic area. 24 C.F.R. § 5.152 [emphasis added} For the purposes of the AFFH rule, “integration” “means a condition in which there is not a high concentration of persons of a particular race, color, religion, sex, familial status, national origin, Item Number: 7.
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or having a disability or a type of disability in a particular geographic area when compared to a broader geographic area. 24 C.F.R. § 5.1522 [emphasis added] The AFFH rule does not define the meanings of “high concentration” and “not high concentration”.
1. Diversity Index
HCD’s AFFH Data Viewer provides diversity index maps for 2010 and 2018 populations by block group. According to Esri Demographics, the diversity index summarizes racial and ethnic diversity. The index shows the likelihood that two people, chosen at random from the same area, belong to different racial or ethnic groups. The index ranges from 0 (no diversity) to 100 (complete diversity). For example, a diversity index of 59 means there is a 59 percent probability that two people randomly chosen would belong to different race or ethnic groups.
As shown in Exhibit B-5, in 2010, most of the City had relatively high diversity (diversity index 70- 85). Census tract 445.17, on the northern City boundary, scored lower on the diversity index (48.6), which overlaps with the Mission Lakes Country Club. The highest diversity index scores were seen in two block groups (445.072, 445.102) in the central City along Palm Drive.
In 2018, most of the City remained in the same range for diversity index (70-85) as 2010, and CT 445.17 still had a lower score of 55.3. However, more areas in the central City saw higher diversity index scores (above 85) along Palm Drive and to the west. The City has become more diverse from 2010 to 2018. Compared to other cities in the western Coachella Valley, Desert Hot Springs has overall higher diversity index ratings throughout the City.
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Exhibit B-5
City of Desert Hot Springs Diversity Index (2010) – Block Group Item Number: 7.
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Exhibit B-6
City of Desert Hot Springs Diversity Index (2018) – Block Group
2. Dissimilarity Index Measures Segregation/Integration a. Explanation of Dissimilarity Index
The Dissimilarity Index, according to HUD’s Assessment of Fair Housing Tool for Local Governments, measures the degree to which two groups are evenly distributed across a geographic area and is a commonly used measure for assessing residential segregation between two groups. The analysis is typically conducted for a city or county based on the racial and ethnic distribution of the population within the census tracts that comprise the jurisdiction. A census tract is a standardized geographic unit with a population of approximately 4,000. Census tracts provide a standardized geographic unit to report census data and compare change over time. The boundaries of census tracts remain the same from one census to the next and only change if there is a major increase or decrease in the population.
The values of the Dissimilarity Index range from 0 to 100. An index value of 0 indicates that a city is completely integrated when measuring for example the distributions of Whites and Blacks, while an index value of 100 indicates the city is completely segregated. The value of the Dissimilarity Item Number: 7.
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Index is based on the proportion of the two groups within each census tract relative to the distribution of the two groups in the city. It is not based on the proportion of the two groups within the city. Table B-11 provides an example that helps to explain the DI.
In each of these hypothetical cities, there are 15,600 Whites (97.5%) and 400 Blacks (2.5%).
Because of the small proportion (2.5%) of Blacks, these cities could be labelled as “segregated.” However, the Dissimilarity Index for these cities ranges from 0 to 100.
Table B-11
Dissimilarity Index Example
City A City B City C
Census Tract White Black White Black White Black
100 3,900 100 0 200 0 200
101 3,900 100 0 200 3,900 100
102 3,900 100 7,800 0 3,900 100
103 3,900 100 7,800 0 7,800 0
Total 15,600 400 15,600 400 15,600 400
Dissimilarity Index 0 100 50
The difference in the values of the Dissimilarity Index is based on the distribution of the White and Black populations within each of the census tracts. In City A with a Dissimilarity Index of 0, the proportion of Whites and Blacks in each census track is the same. In City B with a Dissimilarity Index of 100, all the Whites are in two census tracts and all the Blacks are in two census tracts.
In City C with a Dissimilarity Index of 50, there is one census tract that is exclusively Black, one census tract that is exclusively White, and two tracts where the proportion of Blacks to White is the same and is relative to the city’s proportion of the two groups.
HUD suggests that a Dissimilarity Index value of less than 40 generally indicates low segregation, while values between 40 and 54 generally indicates moderate segregation, and values between 55 and 100 generally indicates a high level of segregation, as shown in Table B-12.
Table B-12
Levels of Segregation
Dissimilarity
Index Value Level of Segregation
< 40 Low Segregation
40 - 54 Moderate Segregation
> 54 High Segregation
b. Regional Dissimilarity Index
As previously explained, HUD’s “regional” dissimilarity index encompasses all the cities and unincorporated communities located in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties.
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HUD data shows that the Region currently experiences a Moderate Level of Segregation among all four groups: Non-White/White, Black/White, Hispanic/White and Asian or Pacific Islander/White. The trends analysis shows that three groups moved from a low to moderate segregation level between 1990 and 2010: Non-White/White; Hispanic/White; and Asian or Pacific Islander/White. Refer to Table B-13.
The Brown University database does not have a DI for Riverside County.
Table B-13
Riverside/San Bernardino Counties Region
Dissimilarity Indices: 1990, 2000, and 2010
Source: HUD Table 3, Racial/Ethnic Dissimilarity Trends HUD note below on Table 3:
In Table 3, the current dissimilarity indices for 2010 exclude multiracial individuals, while the 1990, 2000, and 2010 trend racial data from the Brown Longitudinal Tract Database includes multiracial individuals in the racial categories.
Data Source: Decennial Census, 2010; Brown Longitudinal Tract Database (LTDB) based on decennial census data, 2010, 2000 & 1990. Decennial Census data are Block-group level and LTDB data are census tract level. c. City of Desert Hot Springs Dissimilarity Index
Brown University has constructed Dissimilarity Indices for the nation’s cities for the same time period and using the same data sources as HUD. The Dissimilarity Indices for the City of Desert Hot Springs cover years 2000 and 2010. Data are unavailable for 1990.
Table B-14
City of Desert Hot Springs
Index of Dissimilarity
Groups 2000 2010
White-Black/Black-White 13.6 21.1
White-Hispanic/Hispanic-White 22.3 26.3
White-Asian/Asian-White 12.1 11.4
Black-Hispanic/Hispanic-Black 14.8 11.6
Black-Asian/Asian-Black 9.4 10.4
Hispanic-Asian/Asian-Hispanic 14.9 17.0
Source: Brown University
Racial/Ethnic Dissimilarity Index 1990 2000 2010
Non-White/White 32.92 38.90 41.29
Black/White 43.74 45.48 47.66
Hispanic/White 35.57 42.40 43.96
Asian or Pacific Islander/White 33.17 36.31 43.07
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All of the indices are at a low level of segregation. Consequently, the Dissimilarity Index reveals no significant segregation patterns between any two racial/ethnic groups in the City from 2000 to 2010.
Table B-15 shows the percentage distributions of the population by race and ethnicity in 2010 and 2015-2019. Because the racial/ethnic composition of the City in the 2015-2019 period is similar to that of 2010, the Dissimilarity Index should continue to show a low level of segregation during the 5-year period.
Table B-15
City of Desert Hot Springs
Population by Race and Ethnicity: 2010-2019
Race/Ethnicity 2010 2015-2019
Non-Hispanic White 34.4% 30.4%
Non-Hispanic Black 7.5% 9.2%
Hispanic 52.7% 54.5%
Asian 2.3% 3.0%
Other 3.1% 2.9%
Total 100.0% 100.0%
Source: U.S. Census 2010 and American Community 5-
Year Estimates 2015-2019
For Riverside County, the Hispanic population represents 48.9% of the total population while the non-Hispanic, White population comprises 35.3% of the total population. The comparable figures for the Asian and Black/African American populations are 6.3% and 6.1%. The City’s ethnic/racial composition does not deviate significantly from the County, and may have lower segregation levels compared to the County based on the Dissimilarity Index.
3. Isolation Index for Race and Ethnicity
a. Explanation of Isolation Index
The Isolation Index is the percentage of same-group population in the census tract where the average member of a racial/ethnic group lives. It has a lower bound of zero (for a very small group that is quite dispersed) to 100 (meaning that group members are entirely isolated from other groups). It should be kept in mind that this index is affected by the size of the group -- it is almost inevitably smaller for smaller population groups, and it is likely to rise over time if the group becomes larger.
By way of elaboration, the Isolation Index is a frequently used measure of residential segregation.
Conceptually, it is an “exposure measure” of segregation, meaning that it measures the degree of potential contact or possibility of interaction between the members of a racial or ethnic group with members of their and other racial and ethnic groups, or inversely the degree to which they are likely to interact only with members of their group.
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Scores are produced for combinations of racial and ethnic groups, such as White/Black and Hispanic/Asian. Scores can also be generated measuring the degree members of a racial or ethnic group live with members of their own racial and ethnic group. This combination of members of their own racial and ethnic group measures the degree to which people reside in a segregated neighborhood. These can be interpreted as saying, for example, the average Asian lives in a neighborhood that is X percent Asian.
The values of the Isolation Index range from 0 to 100. A value greater than 60 is often taken to mean “highly segregated;” a value between 40 and 60 is interpreted as being “moderately segregated;” while a value lower than 40 is interpreted as “not segregated.” However, there is no specific statistical standard for these category labels.
It should be kept in mind, as previously explained, that the index is affected by the size of the population group. Groups that represent a large portion of the total population will have higher scores, while those making up very small portions of the population will have lower scores. b. Desert Hot Springs Isolation Index
The figures below indicate that Hispanics live in areas that are population heavily by Hispanics. • Asian/Asian 3.4 Not segregated
• Black/Black 9.1 Not segregated
• White/White 39.6 Not segregated
• Hispanic/Hispanic 56.0 Moderately segregated
Thus, the average Hispanic lives in an area where over 56% of the residents are fellow Hispanics.
It needs to be kept in mind that Hispanics represent 55% of Desert Hot Spring’s total population.
According to the Neighborhood Segregation map (UC Berkeley, 2019) on the AFFH Data Viewer, most of the City consists of Latinx-White neighborhoods, while two census tracts (CT 445.09 and CT 445.10) are identified as 3 Group Mixed (Black-Latinx-White). Hispanic majority tracts were found in most developed areas of the City, with a sizeable gap of 10% to 50% in dominance value.
White majority tracts were found only in the northern City, with a relatively low dominance value of 16.04% though as high as 59.02% in CT 445.17 overlapping with the Mission Lakes Country Club. This could be a reflection of an overall increase in Hispanic population over the last decade in the City, as shown in Table B-1 above.
On the other hand, Asians and Blacks make up a very small portion (<10%) of the population, resulting in very low values. Whites who make up slightly over 30% of the population live in areas that have a proportion of Whites slightly greater than their share of the total population.
Specifically, the average White lives in an area where nearly 40% of the population is White.
Because the Isolation Index values are similar to the percentages of each group, none of the population groups are considered to live in a heavily segregated neighborhood. This is consistent with the overall increase in non-White population throughout the City from 2010 to 2018, even including the northern portion, which saw an increase in diversity during this time period. The Item Number: 7.
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highest percentages of non-White populations are seen in tracts south of Pierson Boulevard and along Palm Drive.
4. Divergence Index for Race and Ethnicity
According to a UC Berkeley study:
The Divergence Index compares the relative proportions of racial groups (or any other groups) at smaller and larger geographies, looking for the degree of “divergence” between the two geographies, such as between a census tract and a county. For example, consider a census tract with the following racial distribution:
76% Black,
11.9% Latino,
9.3% White, and
2.8% Asian
Now what if that census tract is situated within a CBSA [Core Based Statistical Area] with the following racial distribution:
11.9% Black,
10.8% Latino,
66.7% White, and
10.6% Asian
Such a census tract will have a very high observed level of segregation as measured by the Divergence Index because it "diverges" so greatly from the surrounding region, especially in terms of the differences in proportion of Black residents. Indeed, the formula results show that this tract’s Divergence Index value is 1.21.
To calculate the metropolitan CBSA (county, or city) score, the scores for each tract in the region are added, but weighed by the tract’s population. In this case of the tract and region described above, the region’s CBSA Divergence Index score is 0.2642 as of 2010 (this happens to be the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont CBSA).
The lowest possible value of the Divergence Index is "0" when the demographics of a geography does not differ, or diverge, from that of the larger geography, suggesting no segregation, whereas higher values suggest higher divergence, and hence higher segregation. As the Divergence Index is a relatively novel measure of segregation, as of yet, there is no established set of ranges to demarcate the level of segregation in the relevant academic literature.
Stephen Menendian, Arthur Gailes, Samir Gamhirt, The Roots of Structural Racism:
Twenty-First Racial Segregation in the United States, June 21, 2021, page 30 The Divergence Index calculates three levels of segregation:
§ High segregation
§ Low-medium segregation
§ Racially Integrated
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The UC Berkeley interactive mapping tool shows that Divergence Index Scores for Desert Hot Springs range from 0.0277 to 0.1594, with higher scores indicating higher segregation. The mapping tool reveals that the City has a low to medium segregation level in 2020. The mapping tool also indicated that the segregation mainly occurs between the two largest racial groups in the City in 2020: Hispanic (61%) and White (28%).
5. Households with a Disabled Member
Table B-16 compares for each census tract –
§ The census tract percentage of all households residing in the City § The census tract number of households with a disabled member as a percentage of all the City’s households with a disabled member
The percentages are very similar, a fact that demonstrates there is not a high concentration of disabled householders residing in any given census tract. A high concentration would exist if, for example, the census tract number of households represented 20% of all the City’s households but the census tract had 40% all households with a disabled member.
Table B-16
City of Desert Hot Springs
Segregation/Integration Analysis of Households with a Disabled Member Census Tract
Households
w/ Disabled
Member
All
Households
Census Tract
Percentage1
Citywide
Percentage2
445.07 736 2,341 25.9% 28.5%
445.09 396 1,537 17.0% 15.3%
455.10 547 2,261 25.1% 21.2%
445.15 385 1,035 11.5% 14.9%
445.18 520 1,849 20.5% 20.1%
Total 2,584 9,023 100.0%
1Census tract total households as a percentage of all households within City (2,341/9,023) 2Households with disabled member as % of all households with disabled member (736/2,584) Source: 2015-2019 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, Table B22010, Receipt of Food Stamps/SNAP in the Past 12 Months by Disability Status for Households Note: ACS data is only available for entire Census Tracts regardless of the city boundary.
Therefore, the data in the above table only includes data for Census Tracts entirely within the City of Desert Hot Spring or where a majority of the Census Tract is within the City boundaries. As a result, the total household count of 9,023 is less than the city-wide total of 10,476.
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6. Households with Children (Familial Status)
Table B-17 shows the number and percentage of households with children living in each census tract. The table also shows the total number and percentage of all households living in each census tract.
The comparison of the percentages shows that they are very similar, a fact that demonstrates there is not a high concentration of households with children. As noted in preceding #6, a high concentration would exist if, for example, the census tract number of households represented 20% of all the City’s households but the census tract had 40% all households with children.
Table B-17
City of Desert Hot Springs
Segregation/Integration Analysis of Households with Children Census
Tract
Households
w/ Children
All
Households
Census Tract
Percentage1
Citywide
Percentage2
445.07 721 2,341 25.9% 26.9%
445.09 375 1,537 17.0% 14.0%
455.10 709 2,261 25.1% 26.4%
445.15 407 1,035 11.5% 15.2%
445.18 469 1,849 20.5% 17.5%
Total 2,681 9,023 100.0%
1Census tract total households as a percentage of all households within City (2,341/9,023)
2Households with children as % of all households with children (721/2,681) Source: U.S. Census Bureau; American Community Survey, 2015-2019 5-Year Estimates, Table DP02 Selected Social Characteristics
G. INTEGRATION/SEGREGATION BY INCOME (PATTERNS AND TRENDS) Income levels at the regional and local level are analyzed with respect to:
§ Median household incomes
§ Low and moderate income population
§ Income inequality
1. Median Household Incomes
Table B-18 shows that the median household income of Riverside and San Bernardino Counties increased by almost $10,000 and $8,000, respectively, between 2010-2014 and 2015-2019. By comparison, the City’s median household income actually dropped by $3,000 during the same period. In fact, the Desert Hot Springs median household income is 50% of Riverside County’s.
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Table B-18
Median Household Income by Area: 2010-2014 and 2015-2019 Area 2010-2014 2015-2019
Riverside County $57,768 $67,005
San Bernardino County $55,845 $63,362
Desert Hot Springs $36,326 $33,046
Source: American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, Table B19013 Median Household Income Past 12 Months (in inflation adjusted dollars)
During the decade it appears that lower income households represented a large, if unknown, share of all households that moved to Desert Hot Springs. Poverty-level income households also contributed to the City’s low median household income. The Assessment of Fair Housing programs emphasize the need to implement poverty-reducing strategies.
2. Low/Moderate Income Population
Table B-19 presents HUD’s low /moderate income data for Riverside County and San Bernardino County for two periods: 2006-2010 and 2011-2015. HUD has not updated the data.
Table B-19
Low Mod Income Population by County
County
2006-2010 2011-2015
#Low/Mod
Low/Mod
Universe
Percent
Low/Mod #Low/Mod
Low/Mod
Universe
Percent
Low/Mod
Riverside 864,234 2,080,075 41.5% 914,600 2,264,300 40.4% San Bernardino 852,270 1,963,880 43.4% 894,835 2,043,435 43.8% Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, 2006-2010 and 2011-2015 Low and Moderate Income Summary Data
During the two periods, the percentage of the population with low/moderate incomes barely changed. In 2011-2015, approximately 40% and 44% of Riverside County’s and San Bernardino County’s population had low/moderate incomes.
Low and moderate incomes refer to households with annual incomes that are less than 80% of the County median household income. In 2015, a 4-person low/moderate income household living in Riverside County had an income of $53,600.
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