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Appendix E: Glossary
Appendix E: Glossary
Above Moderate -Income Household. A household with an annual income greater than 120% of the Area Median Income (AMI) adjusted by household size, as determined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) or the California Department of Housing and Community Development.
Apartment. An apartment is one or more rooms in an apartment house or dwelling occupied or intended or designated for occupancy by one family for sleeping or living purposes and containing one kitchen.
Assisted Housing. Generally multi -family rental housing, but sometimes single-family ownership units, whose construction, financing, sales prices, or rents have been subsidized by federal, state, or local housing programs.
Below -market -rate (BMR). Any housing unit specifically priced to be sold or rented to Low- or Moderate -Income households for an amount less than the fair -market value of the unit. Both the State of California and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development set standards for determining which households qualify as "Low - Income" or "Moderate -Income." May also refer to the financing of housing at less than prevailing interest rates.
Build -out. That level of urban development characterized by full occupancy of all developable sites in accordance with the General Plan; the maximum level of development envisioned by the General Plan.
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG). A grant program administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) on a formula basis for entitlement communities and by counties or the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) for non -entitled jurisdictions. This grant allots money to cities and counties for housing rehabilitation and community development, including public facilities and economic development.
Condominium. A type of ownership in which the interior space is individually owned and the balance of the property (both land and building) is owned in common by the owners of the individual units. (See "Townhouse.")
Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs). A term used to describe private restrictive limitations that may be placed on property and its use, and which usually are made a condition of holding title or lease.
Density Bonus. The allocation of development rights that allow a parcel to accommodate additional square footage or residential units beyond the maximum for which the parcel is zoned, usually in exchange for the provision of affordable housing at the same site or at another location.
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Appendix E: Glossary
Density, Residential. The number of residential dwelling units per acre of land.
Densities specified in the General Plan may be expressed in units per gross acre or per net developable acre.
Developable Land. Land that is suitable as a location for structures.
Down Payment. Money paid by a buyer from his own funds, as opposed to that portion of the purchase price that is financed.
Duplex. A detached building under single ownership that is designed for occupation as the residence of two families living independently of each other.
Dwelling Unit (du). A building or portion of a building containing one or more rooms, designed for or used by one family for living or sleeping purposes, and having a separate bathroom and only one kitchen or kitchenette. See Housing Unit.
Elderly Housing. Typically, small apartments or condominiums designed to meet the needs of persons 62 years of age and older or, if more than 150 units, persons 55 years of age and older, and restricted to occupancy by them.
Emergency Shelter. Temporary housing with minimal supportive services for homeless persons that is limited to occupancy of six months or less by a homeless person. No individual or household may be denied emergency shelter because of an inability to pay. [California Health and Safety Code §50801(e)] Extremely Low -Income Household. A household with an annual income equal to or less than 30% of the area median income adjusted by household size, as determined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)or the California Department of Housing and Community Development.
Fair Market Rent. The rent, including utility allowances, determined by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for purposes of administering the Section 8 Program.
Family. (1) Two or more persons related by birth, marriage, or adoption [U.S. Bureau of the Census]. (2) An individual or a group of persons living together who constitute a bona fide single housekeeping unit in a dwelling unit, not including a fraternity, sorority, club, or other group of persons occupying a hotel, lodging house or institution of any kind.
General Plan. A comprehensive, long-term plan mandated by State Planning Law for the physical development of a city or county and any land outside its boundaries which, in its judgment, bears relation to its planning. The plan shall include seven required elements: land use, circulation, open space, conservation, housing, safety, and noise.
The plan must include a statement of development policies and a diagram or diagrams illustrating the policies.
Goal. A general, overall, and ultimate purpose, aim, or end toward which the City will direct effort.
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Appendix E: Glossary
Green Building. Green or sustainable building is the practice of creating healthier and more resource -efficient models of construction, renovation, operation, maintenance, and demolition. (US Environmental Protection Agency)
Historic Preservation. The preservation of historically significant structures and neighborhoods until such time as, and in order to facilitate, restoration and rehabilitation of the building(s) to a former condition.
Historic Property. A historic property is a structure or site that has significant historic, architectural, or cultural value.
Household. All those persons—related or unrelated—who occupy a single housing unit. (See "Family.")
Housing and Community Development Department (HCD). The state agency that has principal responsibility for assessing, planning for, and assisting communities to meet the needs of Low -and Moderate -Income households.
Housing Element. One of the seven state -mandated elements of a local general plan. It assesses the existing and projected housing needs of all economic segments of the community, identifies potential sites adequate to provide the amount and kind of housing needed, and contains adopted goals, policies, and implementation programs for the preservation, improvement, and development of housing.
Housing Payment. For ownership housing, this is defined as the mortgage payment, property taxes, insurance and utilities. For rental housing this is defined as rent and utilities.
Housing Unit. The place of permanent or customary abode of a person or family. A housing unit may be a single-family dwelling, a multi -family dwelling, a condominium, a modular home, a mobile home, a cooperative, or any other residential unit considered real property under state law.
Housing and Urban Development, U.S. Department of (HUD). A cabinet -level department of the Federal government that administers housing and community development programs.
Implementing Policies. The City's statements of its commitments to consistent actions.
Implementation. Actions, procedures, programs, or techniques that carry out policies.
Infill Development. The development of new housing or other buildings on scattered vacant lots in a built-up area or on new building parcels created by permitted lot splits.
Jobs -Housing Balance. The existing or projected ratio of employment to housing units within a geographic area.
Land Use Classification. A system for classifying and designating the allowable use of properties.
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Appendix E: Glossary
Live -Work Units. Buildings or spaces within buildings that are used jointly for commercial and residential purposes where the residential use of the space is secondary or accessory to the primary use as a place of work.
Low -Income Household. A household with an annual income usually no greater than 51%-80% of the area median income adjusted by household size, as determined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)or the California Department of Housing and Community Development.
Low -Income Housing Tax Credits. Tax reductions provided by the Federal and state governments for investors in low-income housing.
Manufactured Housing. Residential structures that are constructed entirely in the factory, and which since June 15, 1976, have been regulated by the Federal Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards Act of 1974 under the administration of the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). (See "Mobile Home" and "Modular Unit.")
Mixed-use. Properties on which various uses, such as office, commercial, institutional, and residential, are combined in a single building or on a single site in an integrated development project with significant functional interrelationships and a coherent physical design. A "single site" may include contiguous properties.
Moderate -Income Household. A household with an annual income usually no greater than 81%-120% of the area median income adjusted by household size, as determined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) or the California Department of Housing and Community Development.
Monthly Housing Expense. Total principal, interest, taxes, and insurance paid by the borrower, or total rent and utilities paid by a tenant on a monthly basis. Used with gross income to determine affordability.
Multiple Family Building. A building designed and used exclusively as a dwelling by two or more households occupying separate suites.
Ordinance. A law or regulation set forth and adopted by a governmental authority, usually a city or county.
Overcrowded Housing Unit. A housing unit in which the members of the household or group are prevented from the enjoyment of privacy because of small room size and housing size. The U.S. Bureau of Census defines an overcrowded housing unit as one that is occupied by more than one person per room.
Parcel. A lot or tract of land.
Persons with Disabilities. Persons determined to have a physical impairment or mental disorder expected to be of long or indefinite duration. Many such impairments or disorders are of such a nature that a person's ability to live independently can be improved by appropriate housing conditions.
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Appendix E: Glossary
Planning Area. The area directly addressed by the general plan. A city's planning area typically encompasses the city limits and potentially annexable land within its sphere of influence.
Policy. A specific statement of principle or of guiding actions that implies clear commitment but is not mandatory. A general direction that a governmental agency sets to follow, in order to meet its objectives before undertaking an action program.
Poverty Level. As used by the U.S. Census, families and unrelated individuals are classified as being above or below the poverty level based on a poverty index that provides a range of income cutoffs or "poverty thresholds" varying by size of family, number of children, and age of householder. The income cutoffs are updated each year to reflect the change in the Consumer Price Index.
Program. An action, activity, or strategy carried out in response to adopted policy to achieve a specific goal or objective. Policies and programs establish the "who," "how" and "when" for carrying out the "what" and "where" of goals and objectives.
Redevelop. To demolish existing buildings; or to increase the overall floor area existing on a property; or both; irrespective of whether a change occurs in land use.
Regional. Pertaining to activities or economies at a scale greater than that of a single jurisdiction, and affecting a broad geographic area.
Regional Housing Needs Assessment. A quantification of existing and projected housing need, by household income group, for localities within a region.
Rehabilitation. The repair, preservation, and/or improvement of substandard housing.
Residential. Land designated in the General Plan and zoning ordinance for building consisting of dwelling units. May be improved, vacant, or unimproved. (See "Dwelling Unit.")
Residential Care Facility. A facility that provides 24-hour care and supervision to its residents.
Residential, Multiple Family. Two or more dwelling units on a single site, under common ownership.
Residential, Single -Family. A single dwelling unit on a building site.
Retrofit. To add materials and/or devices to an existing building or system to improve its operation, safety, or efficiency. Buildings have been retrofitted to use solar energy and to strengthen their ability to withstand earthquakes, for example.
Rezoning. An amendment to the map to effect a change in the nature, density, or intensity of uses allowed in a zoning district and/or on a designated parcel or land area.
Second Unit. A self-contained living unit, either attached to or detached from, and in addition to, the primary residential unit on a single lot. "Granny Flat" is one type of second unit.
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Appendix E: Glossary
Section 8 Rental Assistance Program. A Federal (HUD) rent -subsidy program that is one of the main sources of Federal housing assistance for low-income households. The program operates by providing housing assistance payments to owners, developers, and public housing agencies to make up the difference between the "Fair Market Rent" of a unit (set by HUD) and the household's contribution toward the rent, which is calculated at 30% of the household's adjusted gross monthly income (GMI).
Shared Living. The occupancy of a dwelling unit by persons of more than one family in order to reduce housing expenses and provide social contact, mutual support, and assistance. Shared living facilities serving six or fewer persons are permitted in all residential districts by §1566.3 of the California Health and Safety Code.
Single-family Dwelling, Attached. A dwelling unit occupied or intended for occupancy by only one household that is structurally connected with at least one other such dwelling unit. (See "Townhouse.")
Single-family Dwelling, Detached. A dwelling unit occupied or intended for occupancy by only one household that is structurally independent from any other such dwelling unit or structure intended for residential or other use. (See "Family.") Single Room Occupancy (SRO). A single room, typically 80 to 250 square feet, with a sink and closet, but which may require the occupant to share a communal bathroom, shower, and kitchen.
Subsidize. To assist by payment of a sum of money or by the granting to terms or favors that reduces the need for monetary expenditures. Housing subsidies may take the form of mortgage interest deductions or tax credits from Federal and/or state income taxes, sale or lease at less than market value of land to be used for the construction of housing, payments to supplement a minimum affordable rent, and the like.
Substandard Housing. Residential dwellings that, because of their physical condition, do not provide safe and sanitary housing.
Supportive Housing. Housing with no limit on length of stay, that is occupied by the target population as defined in California Health and Safety Code §3260(d), and that is linked to onsite or offsite services that assist the supportive housing resident in retaining the housing, improving his or her health status, and maximizing his or her ability to live and, when possible, work in the community. "Target population" means adults with low incomes having one or more disabilities, including mental illness, HIV or AIDS, substance abuse, or other chronic health conditions, or individuals eligible for services provided under the Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Services Act and may, among other populations, include families with children, elderly persons, young adults aging out of the foster care system, individuals exiting from institutional settings, veterans, or homeless people. [California Health and Safety Code §50675.14(b) and §53260(d)]
Target Areas. Specifically designated sections of the community where loans and grants are made to bring about a specific outcome, such as the rehabilitation of housing affordable by very -low- and low-income households.
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Appendix E: Glossary
Tenure. A housing unit is "owned" if the owner or co-owner lives in the unit, even if it is mortgaged or not fully paid for. All other occupied units are classified as "rented," including units rented for cash rent and those occupied without payment of cash rent.
Townhouse. A townhouse is a dwelling unit located in a group of three (3) or more attached dwelling units with no dwelling unit located above or below another and with each dwelling unit having its own exterior entrance.
Transitional Housing. Shelter provide to the homeless for an extend period, often as long as 18 months, and generally integrated with other social services and counseling programs to assist in the transition to self-sufficiency through the acquisition of a stable income and permanent housing. (See "Emergency Shelter") Buildings configured as rental housing developments, but operated under program requirements that call for the termination of assistance and recirculation of the assisted unit to another eligible program recipient at some predetermined future point in time, which shall be no less than six months. [California Health and Safety Code §50675.2(h)] Very -Low -Income Household. A household with an annual income usually no greater than 50% of the area median income adjusted by household size, as determined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)or the California Department of Housing and Community Development.
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