HOUSING ELEMENT TASK FORCE
Pasadena Housing Element Update Page 1
Pasadena Housing Element Task Force
Meeting #1 Summary
April 1, 2021
Introduction
The City of Pasadena Housing Element Task Force conducted its first meeting on April 1, 2021. The Task Force will review and make recommendations regarding policies, programs, and funding strategies to the Planning Commission and City Council for the 2021 -2029 Housing Element of the General Plan. Per direction from Mayor Victor M. Gordo, the Task Force will study and recommend:
Policies to preserve Pasadena's historic residential neighborhood fabric while meeting our responsibility to target growth to meet the City's Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) allocations
Policies, incentives, and strategies to leverage funding for construction of sufficient affordable housing to meet the City's RHNA allocations
Policies and incentives to facilitate adap tive reuse of underutilized commercial and institutional structures for housing where densities are compatible with adjacent neighborhoods Policies and programs for preservation existing affordable housing Opportunities to broaden home ownership in furth erance of Pasadena's values and the community's well-being
Opportunities to join with owners of existing multi -unit housing in need of renovation, restoration, and revitalization as a means of retaining affordable housing Opportunities for use of underutilized public lands for affordable housing Other policies, programs, funding mechanisms and innovative approaches that will promote the goal of ensuring that all Pasadena residents have access to safe and decent housing Task Force members attending the first meeting were: Chair William (Bill) Bogaard, Joel Bryant, Philipp Burns, Julianna Delgado, Megan Foker, Akila Gibbs, Allison Henry, Leonard Hernandez (for Leslie Barnes), Sarah Letts, Anne Miskey, Rita Moreno, Phyllis Mueller, Andrew Oliver, Phlunte Riddle, Stan Rushing, Barry Storch, and Noel Toro.
City staff in attendance were City Manager Steve Mermell, Vannia DeLaCuba, Arlene Granadosin -Jones, Bill Huang, David Reyes, David Sanchez, and Jim Wong.
HOUSING ELEMENT TASK FORCE
Pasadena Housing Element Update Page 2
Presentation and Discussion
The consultant team leading the Housing Element program—MIG, Inc. and Veronica Tam and Associates— provided background information via a PowerPoint presentation (attached). The team then assisted Chair Bogaard in leading the Task Force through a discussion of the following questions:
1. What are the major housing issues and challenges in Pasadena today and in the future?
2. What types of housing are needed in the community?
3. Where should new housing be located in Pasadena?
4. What programs could be expanded, or new programs offered?
5. What questions would you like to ask the community via the planned Housing Element Update workshops and survey?
The discussion was captured on a digital white board, a copy of which is attached.
HOUSING ELEMENT TASK FORCE
Pasadena Housing Element Update Page 4
Appendix B- Task Force Meeting Mural
Housing Element Task Force: Meeting #1
Thursday, April 1, 2021
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Agenda
- Welcome & Introductions
- Task Force Charge
- Housing Element Schedule
- Snapshot of Pasadena
- About the Housing Element
- New Challenges for 2021-2029
- Housing Programs Today
- Community Conversations Ahead
Most land area is
currently zoned single
family residential
Many older adults have problems
with stairs. Some units look like
residents have to climb a number
of stairs.
When affordable
housing projects are
built, will they consider
the needs of older
adults?
Housing Element & Process Challenges & Issues
What are some of the
things you're looking for
in new housing? (e.g.
green space, walkable
markets, further out, etc.)
Is the community aware
of downpayment
assistance funds (from
State, County or City) for
For those who participate,
how long have they lived in
the City of Pasadena? It'd
be great to match this with
the other questions/issues
Cost burden for
tenants
Can people describe their
housing conditions in terms
of needing improved air
quality, pollution
protections (e.g. noise)?
What is the community
Pasadena) perception
Habitability - do tenants in
particular feel they are in
safe housing, is the cost fair,
do they know about current
fair housing resources?
household conditions (e.g. living with
relatives)? Options that suit their household
conditions (e.g. accessibility limitations)
Do people have
preferences between
new rental or for sale
housing?
Questions for the CommunityHousing Programs
How do residents of single-
family homes feel about ADUs?
What would it take for residents
to feel comfortable with having
more ADUs in the
neighborhood?
What are the community's concerns around
affordable housing being built in their
community? Is it a PR issue, or a design/
planning issue?
doesn't meet their
household needs (e.g.
disability accommodations,
number of bedrooms, etc.)
Additional Questions and Comments
Have you already
developed questions for
the community? Are our
questions going to add
to existing questions?
When did the inclusionary
ordinance become effective
and what types of
developments does that
apply to?
April 15th is around the
corner; there should be
a good public outreach
effort
Will future meetings of
the task force be
scheduled at 6:00
pm?
Will the public
meetings be
scheduled for 6:00
pm?
The previous RHNA
number was 1,512. Have
we met that target? If
there are excess units do
they get carried over?
Has COVID changed
people's needs? (e.g.
working from home,
number of cars)
If CA is going to move
towards the sale of zero
emissions vehicles, would
people feel comfortable
with housing placed closer
to the freeway?
HOUSING ELEMENT TASK FORCE
Pasadena Housing Element Update Page 5
Most land area is
currently zoned single
family residential
Many older adults have problems
with stairs. Some units look like
residents have to climb a number
of stairs.
When affordable
housing projects are
built, will they consider
the needs of older
adults?
Challenges & Issues
What are some of the
things you're looking for
in new housin g? (e.g.
green spac e, walkable
markets, further out, etc.)
Is the community aware
of downpayment
assistance funds (from
State, County or City ) for
For those who participat e,
how long have they lived in
the City of Pasadena? It'd
be great to match this with
the other questions /issues
Cost burden for
tenants
Can people describe their
housing conditions in terms
of needing improved air
quality, pollution
protections (e.g. noise)?
What is the community
Pasadena) perception
Habitability - do tenants in
particular feel they are in
safe housing , is the cost fair,
do they know about current
fair housing resource s?
household conditions ( e.g. living with
relatives)? Options that suit their household
conditions ( e.g. accessibility limitations)
Do people have
preferences between
new rental or for sale
housing?
Questions for the Community
How do residents of single-
family homes feel about ADUs?
What would it take for residents
to feel comfortable with having
more ADUs in the
neighborhood?
What are the community 's concerns around
affordable housing being built in their
communit y? Is it a PR issu e, or a design/
planning issu e?
doesn't meet their
household needs (e.g.
disability accommodations ,
number of bedrooms , etc.)
Has COVID changed
people's needs? (e.g.
working from home,
number of cars)
If CA is going to move
towards the sale of zero
emissions vehicles , would
people feel comfortable
with housing placed closer
to the freewa y?
Additional Questions and Comments
Have you already
developed questions for
the community? Are our
questions going to add
to existing questions?
When did the inclusionary
ordinance become effective
and what types of
developments does that
apply to?
April 1 5th is around the
corner; there should be
a good public outreach
effort
Will future meetings of
the task force be
scheduled at 6:00
pm?
Will the public
meetings be
scheduled for 6:00
pm?
The previous RHNA
number was 1,512. Have
we met that target? If
there are excess units do
they get carried over?