DATE:
April 2, 2024
TO:
Paul Buddenhagen, City Manager
FROM:
Chadrick Smalley, Community Development Director
SUBJECT:
Housing Committee’s Annual Report On Committee Goals, Principles And Accomplishments For Calendar Year 2023; And Proposed Committee Priorities For Calendar Year 2024 Recommendation
Staff recommends the City Council accept this report on the Housing Committee’s accomplishments in 2023 and proposed priorities for 2024.
Committee Goals and Principles
The Housing Committee provides input and recommendations regarding City policies, priorities and feedback related to the City’s housing policies and programs.
Accomplishments for Calendar Year 2023
2022 Housing Element Annual Report
On March 1, 2023, the Housing Committee reviewed and recommended that the City Council approve the 2022 annual progress report on 2015-2023 Housing Element progress. This report describes implementation of programs in 2022, and housing production from the beginning of the Regional Housing Needs Allocation (“RHNA”) implementation period, which began on July 1, 2014. The City Council approved the 2022 Housing Element Annual Report on March 21, 2022. 2021/2022 Housing Successor Annual Report
On March 1, 2023, the Housing Committee reviewed and recommended that the City Council approve the FY 2021/2022 annual report of the Housing Successor Agency. This report describes housing assets and activities of the Housing Successor that occurred in 2021/2022. The City Council also approved the 2021/2022 Housing Successor Annual Report on March 21, 2022.
Family Friendly Design Regulations
On August 2, 2023, the Housing Committee reviewed and made recommendations for approval on the Residential and Family Friendly Design Regulations (9-5.2004), in which family-friendly objective design standards were added to require distinct common area spaces in units, minimum dimensions for common areas, required appliances in kitchens, minimum countertop space in kitchens, minimum dimensions for closet and storage areas, bathroom facility requirements, ceiling fan requirements and covered stairway riser requirements. These changes were part of the City’s action to integrate objective standards into the Planning Regulations as required under Senate Bill (SB) 35 (2017) and SB 330 (2019). The City Council adopted these changes to the Residential and Family Friendly Design Regulations on November 21, 2023.
Adeline Sites Request for Proposals
On August 2, 2023, the Housing Committee reviewed the draft Request for Proposals (RFP) for the redevelopment of the Adeline Sites as an affordable homeownership project. The committee provided recommendations on the scoring and evaluation components of the RFP and was supportive of the change in scope from rental co-housing to homeownership. The RFP was approved by the City Council on January 16, 2024.
Christie Avenue Housing Development Concept
On October 11, 2023, the Housing Committee discussed and provided recommendations on the development concept for 5890, 5900, and 6150 Christie Avenue, a 100% below market rate housing project. The project will consist of three phases of development and include an expansion of Christie Park, construction of 362 rental units for households at extremely low, very low- and low-income households. The development concept was incorporated into the Lease Disposition and Development Agreement that was approved by the City Council on February 6, 2024.
Homebuyer Assistance Policy Changes
On October 11, 2023, the Housing Committee reviewed and discussed staff-recommended programmatic changes to the First Time Homebuyer Program, regarding Borrower Contribution, Interest Rates, Front/Back End Ratio Requirements, and Maximum Loan Amounts. The recommended policy changes to the First Time Homebuyer Assistance Program will be forwarded to the City Council in 2024 for approval.
Top Priorities for Calendar Year 2024
The City’s Housing Committee has a broad list of activities that they will review and provide recommendations related to City sponsored affordable housing projects, program guidelines outlined in the 2023-2031 Housing Element, and the Housing Bond Administration and Expenditure Plan. The Housing Committee has recommended prioritizing the following in 2024.
First Highlighted Priority
Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) was identified as one of the priorities for the Housing Committee in 2024. In 2023, the City permitted 28 ADUs, which was a significant increase over previous years, and far outpaces the ADU production the city estimated in the 2023-2031 Housing Element. Additionally, in the Housing Element the City established Program D. Accessory Dwelling Units, which states that the City will promote and incentivize the development of ADUs, develop ADU guidance materials, develop a loan program for homeowners to construct ADUs affordable to lower income households, and incentivize existing multifamily properties to create ADUs in underutilized space. Lastly, the state has adopted numerous ADU laws that will require changes to the City’s Planning Regulations. The Housing Committee is eager to discuss how the City can support the production of more ADUs and how the City can incentivize ADUs to be used for affordable housing.
Second Highlighted Priority
Staff has identified several Below Market Rate (BMR) Rental policies that need to be discussed, analyzed, and potentially adopted into the City’s BMR Rental Guidelines. The policy changes that have been identified for discussion include how BMR waitlists are managed, how to restrict large rent increases, solutions to address BMR unit vacancies, and establishment of BMR parking requirements. The Housing Committee is interested in helping the City establish policies to improve the BMR Rental Program for residents and property managers.
Conclusion
The Housing Committee has remained an engaged and productive advisory body in 2023. The Housing Committee is very eager to continue having robust conversations on various housing issues in Emeryville and advise the City Council on housing policy issues.
PREPARED BY: Valerie F. Bernardo, Community & Economic Development Coordinator II Approved and Forwarded to the
City Council of the City of Emeryville:
Paul Buddenhagen, City Manager
Housing Committee Annual Report
City Council Meeting | April 2, 2024
City of Emeryville
CALIFORNIA
MEMORANDUM