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Contents
Executive Summary ...................................................................................................................... 4 Section I Introduction ............................................................................................................ 5 I.A Community Context ............................................................................................... 5 I.B Housing Element Purpose ..................................................................................... 5 I.C Organization of the Housing Element .................................................................... 6 I.D Data Sources and Methods ................................................................................... 8 I.E Summary of Public Participation............................................................................ 8 I.F Consistency with Other General Plan Elements .................................................. 16 I.G Other Statutory Requirements ............................................................................. 16 Section II Projected Housing Need ..................................................................................... 17 II.A Introduction/Overview of ABAG Methodology ..................................................... 17 II.B Contra Costa County Income Limits .................................................................... 17 II.C Regional Housing Needs Allocation .................................................................... 18 Section III Housing Resources ............................................................................................. 19 III.A Introduction .......................................................................................................... 19 III.B Land Resources .................................................................................................. 19 III.C Analyzing Sites Through a Fair Housing Lens .................................................... 20 III.D Financial and Administrative Resources ............................................................. 21 III.E Opportunities for Energy Conservation ............................................................... 21 Section IV Housing Plan ....................................................................................................... 21 IV.A Goals, Policies, and Programs ............................................................................ 21 Goal 1: Promote new housing construction to create more equitable and affordable options that meet Richmond’s Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA). .................. 22 Goal 2: Facilitate different housing types to accommodate housing needs of moderate- and lower-income households and create inclusive neighborhoods for all income levels. .................................................................................................................. 26 Goal 3: Remove constraints to the development of housing. ................................................ 29 Goal 4: Create housing opportunities for people with special needs, including seniors, persons with disabilities, single-parent households, first-time homebuyers, large families, unhoused individuals and families. ........................................................ 30 Goal 5: Conserve and improve the existing housing stock to enhance quality of life and provide greater housing stability and community resiliency. ............................... 34 Goal 6: Promote fair housing access and opportunities for all persons. ............................... 40
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Goal 7: Encourage energy and resource conservation and sustainability measures. .......... 50 IV.B Quantified Objectives .......................................................................................... 51
Appendix A: Housing Needs Assessment
Appendix B: Sites Inventory and Methodology
Appendix C: Housing Constraints
Appendix D: Existing Programs Review
Appendix E: Public Participation Summaries
Appendix F: Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing Assessment Appendix G: Housing Resources
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Executive Summary
California State law generally requires that the Housing Element be updated in eight-year cycles (i.e., every eight year s). This City of Richmond 6 th cycle Housing Element Update covers the period 2023 to 2031. A significant new requirement for Housing Elements beginning in the 6th cycle is affirmatively furthering fair housing pursuant to AB 686 (2018). AB 686 requires the Housing Element to include an assessment of fair housing practices, involving robust outreach to all segments of the community; an analysis of housing sites from a fair housing lens; and concrete actions in the form of programs to affirmatively further fair housing. To this end, the City has conducted six pop-up events, 27 stakeholder interviews, three community listening sessions, an online survey, six Resident Advisory Council meetings, and a Planning Commission study session.
Additional outreach will continue to be conducted throughout the Housing Element Update process. See Section I.E and Appendix E for more information regarding community engagement.
This Housing Element contains several technical analyses, including an evaluation of the effectiveness of programs in the 5 th cycle Housing Element (2015-2023); an assessment of existing and projected housing needs ; an identification of available housing resources; an assessment of constraints to the development of housing; and meaningful actions to address contributing factors to fair housing issues as stipulated by AB 686’s requirement to “affirmatively further fair housing.” The Housing Element also includes an inventory of adequate sites to meet the City’s regional housing needs allocation (RHNA); this analysis demonstrates that the City has sufficient capacity, primarily through vacant sites, to accommodate its housing obligations without the need for rezoning.
The seven goals of this Housing Element are to:
1. Promote new housing construction to create more equitable and affordable options that meet Richmond’s Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA).
2. Facilitate different housing types to accommodate housing needs of moderate- and lower- income households and create inclusive neighborhoods for all income levels.
3. Remove constraints to the development of housing.
4. Create housing opportunities for people with special needs, including seniors, persons with disabilities, single -parent households, first-time homebuyers, large families, unhoused individuals and families.
5. Conserve and improve the existing housing stock to enhance quality of life and provide greater housing stability and community resiliency.
6. Promote fair housing access and opportunities for all persons.
7. Encourage energy and resource conservation and sustainability measures.
The goals of the Housing Element are implemented by various programs in Section IV. T hese programs include specific timeframes and quantified objectives where appropriate to result in meaningful change and progress toward fair housing outcomes in Richmond.
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Section I Introduction
I.A Community Context
The City of Richmond was incorporated in 19 05 after the Santa Fe Railroad established its western terminus at Point Richmond in 1899, with ferry service to San Francisco. The City grew significantly at the onset of World War II with the opening of the Kaiser Richmond Shipyards at Richmond’s South Shoreline in 1941 (its population quadrupled from 23,600 in 1940 to over 93,700 in 1943), as tens of thousands of new residents i mmigrated to the City to work in the shipyards, many of whom were Black . During the decades that followed, major developments such as Marina Bay, the Hilltop Shopping Center, the Knox Freeway, and the Richmond Parkway shaped the economy and geography of Richmond. Residential development continued, and thousands of Asian and Pacific Islander and Latino persons immigrated to the community.
Today, Richmond is a diverse and growing maritime, industrial, and residential community , with a population of over 110,000. The C ity is located on a peninsula 16 miles northeast of San Francisco, directly across the San Francisco Bay , and has a total area of 56 square miles, of which 33.7 are land area and 22.3 are water area.
I.B Housing Element Purpose
The State of California has stat ed that the availability of decent and suitable housing for every California family is “a priority of the highest order” (California Government Code §54220). This objective has become increasingly urgent in recent years as communities across the State, including Richmond, struggle to meet the housing needs of all their residents. State Housing Element Law, established in 1969, recognizes the vital role local governments play in the supply and affordability of housing and requires all cities and counties in California to establish a long- range plan to meet their fair share of regional housing needs. Cities are charged with planning for the welfare of their citi zens, including ensuring that the existing and projected demands for housing are adequately met.
High housing costs — and related housing instability issues — increase health care costs (for individuals and the State), decrease educational outcomes (affecting individuals, as well as the State’s productivity), and make it difficult for California businesses to attract and retain employees.
– State of California 2025 Statewide Housing Assessment The Housing Element is the primary tool used by the State to ensure local governments are appropriately planning for and accommodating enough housing across all income levels. This
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Housing Element covers the planning period 2023-2031. The H ousing Element is a mandatory part of a jurisdiction’s General Plan, but differs from other General Plan elements in two key aspects. The Housing Element must be updated every eight years for jurisdictions within a metropolitan planning organization (MPO) that is on a four-year regional transportation plan (RTP) cycle, such as the Association of Bay Area Governments ( ABAG). The H ousing Element must also be reviewed and approved (i.e., certified) by the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) to ensure compliance with statutory requirements. Certification also ensures that the City remains eligible for various State and federal funding sources.
In practical terms, the Housing Element provides the City with an opportunity to assess its housing needs and to develop policies and actions that effectively respond to those needs. Amongst other groups, the Housing Element affects teachers in our schools, employees in our local businesses, older residents on fixed incomes, parents and their adult children who want to remain in or return to Richmond, and young persons wishing to live in the community. Ultimately, the supply and cost of housing affect the entire Bay Area economy and people’s quality of life in the region.
At the time of publication, the COVID-19 crisis has impacted the Bay A rea in significant ways.
The pandemic has made the issue of housing security even more acute as residents face job loss, housing cost pressures, and disparate health impacts from the pandemic. This Housing Element has had to respond to these conditions by transitioning the public outreach process to reflect the limitations brought on by COVID-19. These actions are detailed in this report.
I.C Organization of the Housing Element
Per California Government Code §65580-65589, a Housing Element must consist of the following components:
• Existing Programs Review : An evaluation of the results of the goals, policies, and programs adopted in the previous Housing Element that compares projected outcomes with actual achieved results.
• Housing Needs Assessment: An analysis of the existing and projected housing needs of the community. It provides a profile of socio-demographic information, such as population characteristics, household information, housing stock, tenure, and housing affordability. The assessment also considers local special housing needs, such as seniors, farmworkers, homeless, large households, and female-headed households.
• Sites inventory and Methodology: An inventory listing adequate sites that are suitably zoned and available within the planning period to meet the City’s fair share of regional housing needs across all income levels.
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• Housing Resources: An identification of resources to support the development, preservation, and rehabilitation of housing.
• Housing Constraints: An assessment of impediments to housing production across all income levels covering both governmental (e.g., zoning, fees, etc.) and nongovernmental (e.g., market, environmental, etc.) constraints.
• Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing Assessment: AB 686 requires cities and counties to take deliberate actions to foster inclusive communities, advance fair and equal housing choice, and address racial and economic disparities through local policies and programs. The goal of AB 686 is to achieve better economic and health outcomes for all Californians through equitable housing pol icies. The assessment of affirmatively furthering fair housing documents compliance with AB 686.
• Goals, Policies, and Programs: This Section provides a statement of the community’s goals, quantified objectives, and policies to maintain, preserve, improve, and develop housing, as well as a schedule of implementable actions to be taken during the planning period to achieve the goals, objectives, and policies. Quantified objectives for new construction, rehabilitation, and conserved units by income category (i.e., very low, low, moderate, and above moderate) are included to make sure that both the existing and the projected housing needs are met, consistent with the City’s share of the Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA).
This Section I provides an overview to the Housing Element and relevant regulation. Section II provides a summary of the projected housing need. Section III summarizes the adequacy of housing sites and housing resources with reference to relevant appendices. Section IV contains goals, policies, and actions related to housing in Richmond . The comprehensive research and analysis supporting the development of Section IV, are compiled in appendices to this Housing Element. These appendices contain the full set of information used to inform the City’s goals, policies, and programs:
• Appendix A: Housing Needs Assessment
• Appendix B: Sites Inventory and Methodology
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• Appendix C: Housing Constraints
• Appendix D: Existing Programs Review
• Appendix E: Public Participation Summaries
• Appendix F: Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing Assessment • Appendix G: Housing Resources
I.D Data Sources and Methods
This Housing Element was updated in accordance with California Department of Housing and Community Development ( HCD) guidelines for the 6th Housing Element Cycle, incorporating additional considerations required under new State housing-related legislati on. Specific documents are referenced throughout the Housing Element, including but not limited to the Richmond General Plan 2030 and Richmond Municipal Code. The analyses and findings in this document relied on data compiled from various sources, including:
• US Census Bureau (American Community Survey , Longitudinal Employer -Household Dynamics)
• California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) • California Department of Finance (DOF)
• US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
• Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)
• Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) pre-certified data This document was also informed by information provided by residents, business groups, housing developers and service providers, local institutions, City staff, and elected officials.
I.E Summary of Public Participation
Public participation is crucial in shaping Richmond’ housing strategy. Understanding the needs of the community enables the development of housing strategies that are most appropriate and effective. Public outreach also allows the City to identify concerns unique to certain interest groups and service providers that may not have been initially apparent. As part of the development of this Housing Element, the City’s public participation program included a wide range of stakeholder interviews, community pop-ups and listening sessions, a meeting with the Planning Commission, and online interview surveys. For detailed public outreach summaries, please see Appendix E.
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Website
The City’s website hosted a dedicated Housing Element Update webpage (https://www.ci.richmond.ca.us/4231/Housing-Element-Update) to provide information on the Housing Element update proces s and timeline, resources (e.g., reference material, draft documents, etc.), meeting notices and materials, and City contact information. Any person could sign up to receive email notifications about upcoming meetings and availability of information.
Public Outreach and Events, including A ffirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH)-Targeted Outreach
Pop-Up Events and Online Survey
The pop-up events sought to engage hard-to-reach populations who have not traditionally been part of the planning processes by holding community pop-ups and meeting people at local events.
Community pop-ups of the month were advertised on the City website and City Manager’s Weekly Report at the beginning of each month. The City’s Housing Element team held conversations with Richmond residents and community members to learn about their perspectives on or lived experiences related to housing issues in Richmond and ideas for solutions. An online survey was also available in English and Spanish. The online survey was advertised via the City website and on postcards/fliers passed out at the pop-ups. As of December 5, 2022, eight community pop-ups in Richmond have been held and 144 Richmond residents or constituents surveyed (including 19 persons who completed an online survey). The pop-ups were held at various events and locations:
• Earth Day at Contra Costa College: April 22, 2022
• Earth Day with Urban Tilth at Unity Park: April 23, 2022 • Park Rx Day at Nicholl Park: April 30, 2022
• Spring Family Day at Richmond Art Center: May 14, 2022 • Willie Mays Day at Nicholl Park: May 21, 2022
• Juneteenth Family Day Parade and Festival at Nicholl Park: June 18, 2022 • Farmers’ Market at 24 Barrett Avenue and 25
th Street: November 18, 2022
• Holiday Arts Festival at Richmond Art Center: December 4, 2022 Stakeholder Interviews
Between February and June 2022, the City’s Housing Element team conducted 27 stakeholder interviews consulting the diversity of the community including representatives from City and County departments, housing justice organizations, affordable housing developers, and businesses. Stakeholders included:
• Alliance of Californians for Community Environment (ACCE)
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• Asian Pacific Environmental Network (APEN)
• Bay Area Legal Aid
• City of Richmond (Bill Lindsay, former City Manager; LaShonda White, Interim Library and Community Services Director)
• Contra Costa County Senior Legal Services
• Communities for a Better Environment (CBE)
• Housing Authority of County of Contra Costa
• Council of Businesses and Industry WCCC
• Greater Richmond Interfaith Program (GRIP)
• Hello Fresh
• Kaiser
• Othering & Belonging Institute
• RYSE Center
• Regional Center of the East Bay
• Richmond Community Development Department
• Richmond Community Foundation (RCF)
• Richmond LAND
• Richmond Neighborhood Housing Services
• Richmond Progressive Alliance
• Richmond Rapid Response Fund (R3F)
• Richmond Rent Program
• SOS (Safe, Organized Spaces) Richmond
• Safe Return Project
• Sims Metal
• Richmond Promise
• West Contra Costa Public Education Fund
• West County Regional Group
In addition, on April 27, 2022, a virtual group interview of both for -profit and non-profit housing developers that work in Richmond was held to discuss housing opportunities and constraints, gain a deeper understanding of available resources, and gather policy and program recommendations.
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Community Listening Sessions
The City’s Housing Element team conducted three listening sessions with the membership of the following community organizations to hear their members’ lived experiences related to housing issues in Richmond and ideas for solutions:
• Richmond Promise: Six low-income, first-generation students of color in Richmond • SOS Richmond: 15-20 unhoused residents in Richmond
• West County Regional Group: 20 -25 multi -cultural group of volunteers, parents and resident leaders in Richmond and San Pablo
Resident Advisory Council Meetings
A Resident Advisory Council (RAC) was formed to engage a diversity of perspectives, deep listening, and a partnership for input and feedback on housing needs, constraints, and ideas for improving housing conditions and affordability in the Housing Element Update.
As of September 2022, the RAC has convened six times to get to know each other, better understand the Housing Element process and their role, and provide constructive feedback on information for the Housing Element. As of September 2022, the RAC has met to hear about and provide feedback on the following topics:
• Introduction to the Housing Element, Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH), and the Housing Equity Roadmap
• Community Engagement, including findings from pop-ups and listening sessions • AFFH Analysis, including RAC members lived experiences • AFFH Identified Issues, including meaningful actions taken to address these issues • Housing Element programs and actions
Applications for the RAC were open for over two months. Promotional materials for the RAC were made available in English and Spanish and were posted on the City website and City Manager’s Weekly Report. Promotional materials were shared with the C ity’s Planning Department, City Council members, and community organizations to help circulate the opportunity and encourage Richmond residents to apply. Out of the 20 applications received, 10 members were chosen to participate.
RAC members were selected by an interview committee from Just Cities Institute, the City, and Richmond LAND that balanced important diversity considerations. They come from diverse backgrounds and neighborhoods across Richmond including the following:
• Hard to reach communities: People from communities that planning processes traditionally have excluded including Asian American, Black or African American, Latinx or Latino, multiracial, people with disabilities, undocumented, and people who speak little to no English.
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• Neighborhood diversity: Belding Woods, Richmore Village/Metro Square, Hilltop, North and East, and Coronado.
• Age diversity: People at different stages of their lives to ensure varied knowledge and experiences.
• Diversity of gender and sexual orientation: To ensure women’s, non-binary, and LGBTQ+ perspectives are included in this process.
• People who work and live in Richmond. Seven members of the RAC are Richmond residents, two members work in Richmond and are heavily involved in the Richmond community, and one member is a former resident that currently works in Richmond.
Community Workshop
On October 29, 2022, the City held a community workshop at the Richmond Recreation Center to provide information and invite public comment on the Public Review Draft Housing Element.
The 30-day public review period extended from October 21, 2022 to November 21, 2022. At the workshop, the City presented five informational boards on what a Housing Element is, its goals, key programs, special need populations, and homelessness. Participants were invited to ask questions and provide comments in a conversational setting with City staff and consultants. The City promoted the workshop with both English and Spanish outreach materials.
Planning Commission Study Session
A virtual study session was conducted with the Planning Commission on May 19, 2022 to provide opportunities for Planning Commission and public input and discussion prior to preparation of the draft Housing Element. The planned Housing Equity Roadmap and related General Plan amendments (i.e., Safety and Environmental Justice Elements) were also discussed.
Summary of Public Comments
A summary of key themes from public comments is presented below. Please see Appendix E for comprehensive summaries from the Planning Commission study session, housing developer interviews, and other community engagement events.
• While the City has achieved targets for lower income units, it has not achieved targets for moderate and above moderate-income units.
• Concern was expressed with developments being modified or proposed at lower densities than originally approved. Interest was voiced about requiring a density floor for parcels that are in the Housing Element sites inventory.
• The Design Review requirements are unclear and seem to change during the entitlement process.
• The Design Review Board may hold several meetings to review a project and often requires significant changes. The Design Review process in Richmond is more cumbersome than in other jurisdictions, adding time and expense.
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• Staff should explain the streamlining limits on the allowed number of meetings per SB 330 to reviewing commissions/committees.
• Richmond residents reported experiencing housing affordability, homeownership, housing habitability, homelessness, and racial and income discrimination issues. • Residents reported experiences with mold, heating issues, flooding, pests, among other unsafe qualities of their homes.
• Direct aid and legal service organizations are under-resourced and over capacity. • Affordable housing and voucher utilization is concentrated in lower income areas, affecting low-income residents’ ability to move to high-opportunity areas. • Immigrants, people of color, undocumented people, formerly incarcerated, seniors, and people with disabilities face discrimination and barriers to accessing housing. • Some tenants report instances of harassment and illegal actions by their landlord, as well as feeling taken advantage of for not being fully aware of their rights. • The lack of City capacity and funding are a major barrier to implementation and enforcement of housing ordinances or programs.
• Housing solutions proposed included i ncreasing services and housing access for the unhoused, transitional aged youth, undocumented people, and people with disabilities. • Residents stated that the City should increase outreach and education on fair housing, fair chance housing, and residents’ legal rights.
• Residents stated that housing should be built on available vacant land. • Residents stated that stronger tenant protections and rent assistance programs are needed in the City.
• Residents wanted “fair chance housing” to be strengthened. • Residents expressed support for rental inspection and code enforcement programs. • Residents supported homeownership buyer programs and counseling , housing repair programs, and programs to prevent real estate speculation. • Some residents were concerned with the lack of City Housing Division staffing. • Various comments noted that certain quantified objectives should be increased, including objectives for addressing needs of the unhoused.
• Comments requested clarifications about the Rydin encampment efforts and status and desire for increased City resources dedicated to solving homelessness in Richmond. • Questions about the Hilltop Specific Plan program (Program 1.A) and future development were raised, including those related to allowed uses and existing resident’s views.
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• A comment identified the importance of the need to preserve and restore the Black community in Richmond.
• Support was voiced for many of the proposed programs, including those that accelerate the development of affordable homes (e.g., Programs 2.C and 4.K). • A resident requested that the City promote green energy, such as solar, for housing affordable to lower-income households.
• A comment requested that the City continue to promote location-efficient development in high-quality transit areas and follow the standards of eliminat ing parking minimums near transit consistent with AB 2097.
Integration of Comments into the Housing Element
The comments provided have been incorporated and addressed in the updated Housing Element, specifically through the Housing Needs Assessment (Appendix A), the Sites Inventory and Methodology (Appendix B), Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (Appendix F), and through programs. Additionally, the City expanded outreach efforts to directly target underrepresented populations and populations disproportionately impacted by fair housing issues based on comments received early in the process . Various programs that address comments include the following:
• Conduct planning efforts to promote residential development and a mix of housing types (Programs 1.A: Hilltop Specific Plan Priority Development Area Grant, 1.B: V ariety of Housing Types, and 2.E Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units (JADUs)).
• The housing sites inventory analysis (Appendix B) describes how all zones allowing residential include minimum density standards except for single-family zones; this ensures a minimum level of density is provided. Furthermore, Program 1.I would result in increased minimum density standards in various zones.
• Conduct legal training sessions with the Design Review Board, Planning Commission, and City staff regarding State law provisions (e.g., Housing Accountability Act, SB 330, etc.) including limited purview, number of public meetings, and timeframes for project reviews (Program 3.A: Design Review and Use Permit Process Improvements). • Continue to address substandard housing through proactive code enforcement (Program
5.F: Code Enforcement for Residential Neighborhoods) and rehabilitation programs such as the County Home Rehabilitation Program (Program 5.I) and Richmond Housing Rehabilitation Loan Program (Program 5.M).
• Continue to operate the City’s Residential Rental Inspection Program (RRIP), which requires regular inspections for property owners of three or more residential rental units (Program 5.G: Residential Rental Inspection Program).
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• Continue to refer homeowners, tenants, and landlords to third-party organizations for assistance with issues such as foreclosures, landlord-tenant disputes, unlawful evictions, and housing discrimination (Program 6.C: Counseling Service Referrals or Foreclosures, Landlord-Tenant Disputes, Unlawful Evictions, and Housing Discrimination). • Develop a protocol to eliminate instances of housing discrimination and develop ongoing monitoring practices to prevent future instances of housing discrimination (Program 6.E:
Housing Access and Discrimination Protocols and Monitoring). • Support and promote Contra Costa County’s Housing Choice Voucher Program on the City’s Online Housing Resource Center (Program 2.D: Contra Costa County Housing Choice Voucher Program).
• Hold an annual bilingual workshop to educate residents, landlords, and property owners and managers about various local housing issues and available resources (Program 5.D:
Housing Education Workshops and Outreach).
• Conduct outreach to property owners who own property identified in the sites inventory to encourage housing development (Program 1.D: Outreach to Property Owners to Encourage Housing Development).
• Assess and increase City Housing Division staffing needs to successfully implement the Housing Element programs, Homelessness Strategic Plan, and Housing Equity Roadmap (Program 6.H: Increased Housing Staffing).
• Prioritize the housing needs of formerly incarcerated residents through implementation of current Fair Chance housing and considering expansion of the Fair Chance Housing law to apply to all forms of housing and eliminate the entire use of criminal records (similar to the cities of Berkeley and Oakland) (Program 6.W: Formerly Incarcerated Resident Housing Needs).
• Prioritize the housing needs of undocumented residents by e stablishing a referral list of non-Legal Service Corporation (LSC) funded organizations for undocumented tenants and by enacting a City policy that removes discriminatory barriers against undocumented residents in access to City funded housing units, services, and fina ncial assistance (Program 6.Y: Undocumented Resident Housing Needs).
• Various programs to support tenants and prevent displacement are included, such as Program 6.K (Neighborhood Land Stabilization Program), 6.M (Anti-Displacement Zones),
6.S (Anti-Displacement Services), and 6.T (Renter Policies), among others. • Quantified objectives for emergency shelter, transitional, and supportive housing (Program 4.J) and unhoused residents (Program 4.F) were increased.
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• The Housing Equity Roadmap ( HER) effort (Program 6.G) will include and reflect the housing needs of persons of color who have historically been discriminated against in housing practices.
• The encampments program (Program 6.Z) was clarified and updated, particularly to reflect the status of Rydin encampment closure.
• A program was added to eliminate minimum parking requirements for housing development projects within one-half mile of public transit consistent with Assembly Bill (AB) 2097 (Program 1.L: Eliminate Parking Minimums near Transit consistent with AB 2097).
I.F Consistency with Other General Plan Elements
The Housing Element is one of the elements of the City’s General Plan 2030, a long-range vision document that provides guidance for future development in Richmond. City Council adopted its General Plan 2030 in 2012. For the General Plan to provide effective guidance on land use issues, the goals, policies, and programs of each element must be internally consistent with other elements. This Housing Element builds upon the existing General Plan and is consistent with its goals and policies. Various Housing Element programs require Zoning Code amendments, and some will require amendments to the General Plan for consistency. As those Housing Element programs are implemented, the General Plan will be amended concurrently to ensure consistency across planning documents. In the event an element of the General Plan is amended, the City will consider the impacts of the amendment on the other elements to maintain consistency across all documents.
I.G Other Statutory Requirements
Water and Sewer Priority
Government Code § 65589.7 requires each public agency or private entity providing water or sewer services to grant a priority for the provision of these services to proposed developments that include lower income housing units. In Richmond, water service is provided by East Bay Municipal Utilities District, while sewer services are provided by City of Richmond, West County Wastewater District, and Stege Sanitation District. A discussion of water and sewer infrastructure and availability is included in Appendix C (Housing Constraints), Section C.2.4. The City has not denied, applied conditions, or reduced the amount of sewer service for a development that includes housing affordable to lower-income households consistent with State law. As part of this Housing Element, the City will adopt written policies and procedures that grant a priority for sewer hook-ups and service to developments that help meet Richmond’s share of the regional need for lower-income housing (see Program 2.H).
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Government Code § 65589.7 also requires adopted Housing Elements to be immediately delivered to all public agencies or private entities that provide water or sewer services for municipal and industrial uses, including residential. The City will provide the adopted Housing Element to the East Bay Munic ipal Utilities District (EBMUD), West County Wastewater District, and Stege Sanitation District.
Section II Projected Housing Need
II.A Introduction/Overview of ABAG Methodology
State Housing Element law (Government Code §65580 et. seq.) requires regional councils of governments to identify for each member jurisdiction its "fair share allocation" of the Regional Housing Needs Assessment provided by the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD). In turn, each C ity and county must demonstrate the capacity to accommodate their local share of regional housing needs in the community’s H ousing Element.
Each jurisdiction’s responsibility for meeting the overall regional housing need is established as a Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA).
The Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG), the council of governments for the Richmond area, adopted its final 6th Cycle RHNA allocation methodology in December 2021. ABAG considered several factors in preparing the methodology, which weighed both projected and existing need. Projected need was informed by the target vacancy rate, the rate of overcrowding, and the share of cost-burdened households , future vacancy need, and replacement need, while existing need considered transit accessibility and job accessibility. The distribution of the RHNA across the four income categories factored in a social equity adjustment, which allocated a lower proportion of lower-income RHNA to jurisdictions that already had a high concentration of such households in comparison to the County, as well as the goal to Affirmatively Further Fair Housing (AFFH), which adjusted the distribution of RHNA in jurisdictions considered either very low or very high resource areas. Since Richmond has a relatively more racially diverse population and lower relative household incomes, the equity adjustment reduced Richmond’s draft RHNA by 31 units (20 very low-income units and 11 low-income units). Please see Table II-2: 6 th Cycle RHNA for
Richmond’s final RHNA numbers by income category.
II.B Contra Costa County Income Limits
The projected housing needs are broken down by income category based on definitions in the California Health and Safety Code ( §50079.5). HCD calculates “acutely low”, “extremely low”, “very low”, “low”, “median”, “moderate”, and “above moderate” income limits, and publishes these limits at the county level. Contra Costa County’s 2021 income limits for households of one to four persons are shown in Table II-1. See Appendix A, Table A -6, for a table listing income limits for households of up to eight persons.
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Table II-1: Contra Costa County 2021 Income Limits
Number of Persons in Household 1 2 3 4
Acutely Low (0-15% of AMI)1 $13,200 $15,100 $16,950 $18,850 Extremely Low (15-30% of AMI) $28,800 $32,900 $37,000 $41,100 Very Low (30-50% of AMI) $47,950 $54,800 $61,650 $68,500 Low (50-80% of AMI) $76,750 $87,700 $98,650 $109,600
Median (80-120% of AMI) $87,900 $100,500 $113,050 $125,600 Moderate (120% of AMI) $105,500 120,550 135,650 150,700 1“Acutely Low” income category effective January 1, 2022.
Source: Department of Housing and Community Development, 2021 II.C Regional Housing Needs Allocation
The RHNA for Richmond is shown in Table II-2. The City has a total allocation of 3,614 units for the 2023 to 2031 planning period.
Table II-2: 6th Cycle RHNA
Richmond Contra Costa County ABAG
Income Number of
Units
Percent Number of
Units
Percent Number of
Units
Percent
Total 3,614 100% 49,043 100% 441,176 100%
Extremely Low and Very
Low1 840 23% 13,346 27% 114,442 26%
Low 485 13% 7,685 16% 65,892 15%
Moderate 638 18% 7,807 16% 72,712 17%
Above Moderate 1,651 46% 20,205 41% 188,130 42%
1 “Extremely Low” included in “Very Low” Category, assumed to be 50% of the Very Low allocation.
Source: ABAG, LWC
The City is not responsible for the actual construction of these units (i.e., the City is not a housing developer). The City is, however, responsible for creating a regulatory environment in which developers are allowed and encouraged to build housing, including both market rate units and below market rate units. The City cr eates this regulatory environment through General Plan policies, zoning standards, City programs, and/or economic incentives to encourage the construction of various types of units. In addition, the City can partner and collaborate with other agencies, organizations, and entities to advance City housing priorities. The programs in Section IV (Housing Plan) are intended to encourage the production of housing in the City.
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Section III Housing Resources
III.A Introduction
There are a variety of resources available to support the City in the implementation of its housing strategy, landowners and developers seeking to provide affordable housing, and residents in need of housing assistance in Richmond. This Section provides a summary of land resources available to accommodate future housing in the City. The detailed housing capacity analysis and methodology is contained in Appendix B. This Section also includes a list of local, regional, State, and federal programs that provide financial and related assistance to support the City in meeting its housing goals.
III.B Land Resources
A critical part of the Housing Element is the sites inventory, which identifies a list of sites that are suitable for future residential development. State l aw mandates that each jurisdiction ensure availability of an adequate number of sites that have appropriate zoning, development standards, and infrastructure capacity to meet its fair share of regional housing need (i.e., RHNA) at all income levels. The inventory is a tool that assists in determining if the jurisdiction has enough land to meet its RHNA given its current regulatory framework.
Identification of Sites Suitable for Housing
The sites identified in the site inventory (Appendix B) are comprised of parcels located in various areas and zones within Richmond.
Each site has undergone an assessment to determine development potential and residential unit capacity given existing zoning standards, potential capacity under new zoning regulations, and development trends. For detailed information, please see Appendix B.
Summary of Adequate Sites
Table III-1 summarizes the City’s methods for satisfying its RHNA. Based on accessory dwelling unit (ADU) projections, approved/entitled projects, preliminary pipeline projects, and available land (i.e., 6th Cycle sites), the City has enough capacity in all income categories.
Assumptions and methodology for this determination and a detailed list of sites are included in Appendix B.
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Table III-1: Residential Development Potential and RHNA
Extremely
Low
Very
Low Low Moderate Above
Moderate Total
RHNA
See Very
Low 840 485 638 1,651 3,614
ADUs See Very
Low 155 155 155 52 517
Approved/Entitled
Projects1
See Very
Low 172 371 257 2,569 3,369
Preliminary
Pipeline
1,2
See Very
Low 280 132 78 1,019 1,509
Site Inventory See Very
Low/Low 416 216 198 830
Total Capacity See Very
Low/Low 1,681 706 3,838 6,225
Surplus/(Shortfall) 356 68 2,187 2,611
1. Considers net new units only. No sites contain existing residential uses.
2. The Preliminary Pipeline describes projects that are currently preliminary applications or under review, while the Entitled/Approved Projects describes projects that have been approved or are under construction.
Source: City of Richmond, LWC
III.C Analyzing Sites Through a Fair Housing Lens
Throughout California, amenities and access to opportunities are not always readily accessible or attainable due to different social, economic, or cultural barriers in society and a legacy of racial and other forms of discrimination. While most of Richmond’s neighborhoods are considered “low resource” applying State standards 1, the City is working to improve the quality of life of its residents through initiatives, programs, and capital investments such as access to affordable housing, anti-displacement, and housing quality improvement resources. Moreover, Richmond has available vacant and highly underutilized land in its housing sites inventory to accommodate housing at all income levels. Appendix F provides a detailed fair housing assessment to affirmatively further fair housing (AFFH), and Section IV includes programs the City will undertake to address critical fair housing concerns in the community.
1 California Tax Credit Allocation Committee ( TCAC) resource level classifications reflect educational, economic, and environmental factors and are used in the evaluation of low-income housing tax credit applications to further fair housing goals (i.e., locate low-income housing developments in high quality and high opportunity areas).
21 | City of Richmond 2023-2031 Housing Element
III.D Financial and Administrative Resources
Appendix G provides a list of financial, administrative, and other resources at the local, regional, s tate, and federal levels to help the City address its housing needs. Availability of these resources is dependent on governmental priorities, legislation, and continued funding, which may be subject to change at any time.
III.E Opportunities for Energy Conservation
The cost of energy can greatly impact housing affordability, as energy costs can constitute a significant portion of total housing costs. High energy costs also particularly impact low -income households that are less likely to have the ability to cover increased expenses. Please refer to Appendix G to see a list energy conservation programs available at the local, regional, State, and federal levels.
Section IV Housing Plan
IV.A Goals, Policies, and Programs
The Housing Plan of the Housing Element serves as the City’s strategy for addressing its housing needs. This Section describes the housing goals, policies, and programs of the Housing Element for the City of Richmond.
Goals are aspirational purpose statem ents that indicate the City’s direction and intent on housing-related needs. Each goal encompasses several policies, which are statements that describe the City’s preferred course of action among a range of other options.
Each goal also includes programs, which provide actionable steps to implement the City’s goals and to further the City’s progress towards meeting its housing allocation. Some programs contain quantified objectives, which represent measurable outcomes that can be used to benchmark the success of each program.
This Housing Element contains actions intended to significantly increase the amount and types of housing for all income levels in Richmond. These efforts are expected to be initiated throughout the planning period, which is from January 31, 2023, to January 31, 2031. In accordance with State law, the City will also evaluate the progress and effectiveness of Housing Element programs on an annual basis. Together, these actions reflect the City’s commitment to increasing affordable housing and improving existing housing conditions.
The following list of goals, policies, and programs includes a combination of strategies, including a continuation of existing successful policies and programs as well as new policies and programs to tackle emerging opportunities and constraints, address changes in State law, and provide innovative approaches to accommodate the larger RHNA.
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Goal 1: Promote new housing construction to create more equitable and affordable options that meet Richmond’s Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA).
Policies
Policy 1.1: Housing Element Implementation
Coordinate and monitor the implementation of the City’s Housing Element.
Policy 1.2: Adequate Supply of Housing Sites
Ensure an adequate supply of housing sites to achieve the City’s Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) numbers for the 2023-2031 planning period.
Programs
Program 1.A: Hilltop Specific Plan Priority Development Area Grant Implement the Hilltop Specific Plan Priority Development Area Grant received from the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) to accelerate and streamline housing production and job creation near public transit. The grant is funding th e preparation of the Hilltop Horizon Specific Plan.
Responsible Party: Community Development Department
Funding Source: Grant funds, comprehensive planning fee Time Frame: Complete and adopt the Hilltop Horizon Specific Plan (March 2024).
Quantified Objective: Approve 50 new housing units in the Hilltop Specific Plan area by 2031.
Program 1.B: Variety of Housing Types
As part of the Richmond Livable Corridors Form-Based Code (FBC) for Macdonald Avenue, 23rd Street, and portions of San Pabl o Avenue and the surrounding areas, facilitate and provide incentives for mixed-use housing over retail development and a variety of other housing types and products such as duplexes, triplexes, large apartment buildings, second dwelling units, courtyard housing, live/work units, condominiums, cooperative housing, single-room occupancy units (SROs), retirement/assisted living communities, and manufactured or modular housing.
Potential incentives include density bonuses, reduced parking requirements (including the removal of minimum parking requirements for qualifying development projects within a one-half mile of public transit as defined under AB 2097), and expedited review. The City will ensure that the FBC that is adopted will not result in the loss of capacity of sites identified to meet its Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) for the current planning period. When considering parking reductions, the City will develop parking demand models and review successful demand management programs in other jurisdictions to ensure supply efficiently meets demand.
23 | City of Richmond 2023-2031 Housing Element
Responsible Party: Community Development Department
Funding Source: Grant funds, comprehensive planning fee Time Frame: Fourth quarter of 2022.
Program 1.C: One-Stop Permit Center
Continue operation of the One-Stop Permit Center , including electronic project and permit submittals and soliciting feedback through its comment box at the one-stop Permit Center.
Responsible Party: Community Development Department, Fire. Engineering, Business License
Funding Source: Comprehensive planning fee
Time Frame: Ongoing.
Program 1.D: Outreach to Property Owners to Encourage Housing Development Conduct outreach to property owners who own property identified in the sites inventory to encourage housing development by providing information on allowed residential uses, development standards, and/or incentives , using various forms of communication (e.g., informational/educational fliers, letters, and email).
Responsible Party: Community Development Department
Funding Source: Comprehensive planning fee
Time Frame: Biannually (every two years) starting in 2024.
Program 1.E: Expedited Review
Continue to offer on-call planning and building permit plan check services to provide expedited review for residential land use entitlements, especially those that provide housing for target needs.
Responsible Party: Community Development Department
Funding Source: Applicant Fees
Time Frame: Ongoing.
Program 1.F: No Net Loss
Consistent with SB 166 (No Net Loss) (Government Code § 65863), monitor housing sites to ensure adequate sites to accommodate the remaining unmet RHNA by each income category are maintained at all times.
Update the City’s Residential Sites Inventory as existing vacant and underutilized sites are developed over time and if new sites are necessary to be identified to maintain sufficient RHNA capacity.
Responsible Party: Community Development Department
Funding Source: Comprehensive planning fee
Time Frame: Ongoing, at minimum by April 1 of each year.
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Program 1.G: Compliance with Changes in State Housing Law Continually monitor changes in State housing law by subscribing to the State HCD publications.
Promptly amend the City’s plans and regulations to ensure ongoing compliance with State housing law, but apply current State law even before local amendments are adopted.
Responsible Party: Community Development Department
Funding Source: Comprehensive planning fee
Time Frame: Ongoing.
Program 1.H: Annual Progress Reports
Utilize the forms and definitions adopted by the State HCD to prepare Annual Progress Reports (APR) on the ongoing implementation of the City’s Housing Element Programs.
Responsible Party: Community Development
Funding Source: Comprehensive planning fee
Time Frame: By April 1 of each year.
Program 1.I: Minimum Densities
Evaluate increasing the minimum density standard in the RM -1, RM-2, CM-1, CM-2, and CM-3 zoning districts to 20 dwelling units per acre by assessing other development standards to ensure minimum density can be achieved. Based on the analysis, increase the minimum densities for the RM-1, RM-2, CM-1, CM-2, and CM-3 zoning districts to a minimum of 20 dwelling units per acre and adjust other development standards as needed to ensure housing sites are developed at densities to meet realistic unit estimates.
Responsible Party: Community Development
Funding Source: Comprehensive planning fee
Time Frame: First quarter of 2024December 2023.
Program 1.J: Surplus Land Act Sites
Various identified housing sites have been designated as surplus land consistent with the Surplus Land Act. The City will continue efforts to facilitate the development of housing on these sites, with particular focus on the site designated for lower -income capacity (APN 514140032, 1800 Barrett Avenue). Also see Program 6.R (Equitable Public Land Policy).
Responsible Party: Community Development
Funding Source: Comprehensive planning fee
Time Frame: Issue notice of availability to required parties per Surplus Land Act (July 2024); complete entitlements (July 2028).
25 | City of Richmond 2023-2031 Housing Element
Program 1.K: Housing Sites from Previous Housing Elements Under AB 1397, certain rezoning requirements apply if a lower income housing site identified in the sites inventory (Appendix B) was identified as a housing site (for any income level) in a previous housing element’s site inventory. The following vacant and nonvacant lower income sites are subject to the rezoning requirements:
• Vacant lower income sites that have been included in at least two consecutive housing element sites inventories.
• Nonvacant lower income sites that have been included in a prior housing element sites inventory.
The City will make necessar y zoning amendments to allow development by right pursuant to Government Code §65583.2(i) when 20 percent or more of the units are affordable to lower income households on sites identified in Table IV-1.
Table IV-1: Previous Housing Element Cycle Sites to be Rezoned Address APN Parcel Size (ac)* Zone Lower Income
Units Capacity
524 MacDonald Ave 538220004 0.16 CM-5 11
6th Street 538220008 0.32 CM-5 23
* Parcels are part of a consolidated site (Site A) comprising 0.55 total acres.
Source: City of Richmond
Responsible Party: Community Development
Funding Source: Comprehensive planning fee
Time Frame: December 2025
Program 1.L: Eliminate Parking Minimums near Transit Consistent with AB 2097 Consistent with AB 2097, the City will update its parking regulations to remove minimum parking requirements on any residential, commercial, or other development projects within one half-mile of public transit (as defined in AB 2097) unless required findings are made as specified in State law. The City will apply current State law even before local amendments are adopted (AB 2097 is effective January 1, 2023).
Responsible Party: Community Development
Funding Source: Comprehensive planning fee
Time Frame: December 2025
2023-2031 Housing Element City of Richmond | 26
Goal 2: Facilitate different housing types to accommodate housing needs of moderate- and lower-income households and create inclusive neighborhoods for all income levels.
Policies
Policy 2.1: Supply of Affordable Housing
Promote the development of homes that are affordable to extremely low, very low, low, and moderate-income households in all new residential developments as well as in existing single- family neighborhoods.
Policy 2.2: Variety of Housing Choices and Access
Promote a variety of housing types that meet the different lifestyle and life cycle needs of residents including young adults, young couples and single professionals, small and large families, empty- nesters, and older couples.
Policy 2.3: Funding for Affordable Housing Development
Identify and secure funding sources to assist with affordable housing development.
Policy 2.4: Balanced Neighborhoods
Encourage a mix of affordable and market rate housing within neighborhoods.
Policy 2.5: Rent Subsidies for Affordable Housing
Identify and secure funding to provide rent subsidies that assist extremely low and very low - income families, seniors, and persons.
Programs
Program 2.A: Inclusionary Housing and Affordable Housing Linkage Fee Continue to implement the City’s Inclusionary Housing Ordinance and Affordable Housing Linkage Fee for non-residential developments (updated in 2020) and regularly assess their effectiveness in meeting the City’s Housing Element goals and objectives. Further assessment of the inclusionary housing requirements will be included in the Housing Equity Roadmap.
Produce annual reports on the performance of the Inclusionary Housing Ordinance and Affordable Housing Linkage Fee and community benefits policy ordinance. This report will identify the rate of on-site affordable unit development versus payment of the in-lieu fee and location of on-site affordable units to evaluate progress of affordable unit production in above moderate-income neighborhoods.
Responsible Party: Community Development Department
27 | City of Richmond 2023-2031 Housing Element
Funding Source: In-lieu fee or non-residential nexus fee Time Frame: Assess inclusionary housing ordinance and affordable housing linkage fee by first quarter 2024. If changes are determined to be appropriate, adopt updates by third quarter of 2025.
Quantified Objective: At least 25 affordable housing units developed in higher income neighborhoods. At least 25 affordable units constructed on-site as part of market rate housing projects.
Program 2.B: Development Impact Fees
Continue to require residential developers to pay all applicable development impact fees to ensure that existing public infrastructure, services, and amenities are maintained and upgraded to adequately meet the needs of the City. Development impact fees will be updated in fiscal year 2022-2023; however, the City will continue to e valuate development fees regularly, including application on a per square-foot basis rather than per unit to encourage the development of higher densities and smaller, more affordable housing units. Based on this evaluation, the City will adjust these fees.
Responsible Party: Community Development Department
Funding Source: Comprehensive planning fee
Time Frame: Reassess development impact fees and make any adjustments by third quarter of 20276.
Program 2.C: Affordable Housing Assets Fund
Utilize resources in the City’s Low- and Moderate-Income Housing Assets Fund (Low-Mod Fund) to continue providing affordable housing in Richmond. Assets in the Low -Mod Fund include real and personal property, bond proceeds, and rent payments. The City will identify and proactively seek new funding for low- and moderate-income housing assets, including social impact bond financing.
Responsible Party: Community Development Department
Funding Source: Redevelopment assets
Time Frame: Ongoing.
Program 2.D: Contra Costa County Housing Choice Voucher Program Promote Contra Costa County’s Housing Choice Voucher Program on the City’s Online Housing Resource Center.
Responsible Party: Community Development Department, IT Department, Richmond Housing Authority
Funding Source: Comprehensive planning fee.
Time Frame: Ongoing.
2023-2031 Housing Element City of Richmond | 28
Quantified Objective: Support the County in maintaini ng at least 1,700 Housing Choice Vouchers, including project-based vouchers.
Program 2. E: Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units (JADUs).
Continue to facilitate the production of ADUs/JADUs by developing a set(s) of preapprove d architectural and building plans for ADUs and by providing informational handout materials.
Modify the Zoning Code to allow ADUs/JADUs in the CR Z one consistent with how multi -family residential is allowed in the CR Zone. The City will also monitor ADU production and affordability throughout the planning period and implement additional action if target ADU numbers are not being met.
Responsible Party: Community Development Department
Funding Source: Comprehensive planning fee
Time Frame: Amend Zoning Code and complete preapproved plans December 2023. If ADU targets are not being met by January 2027, the City will review and revise efforts to increase ADU construction (e.g., fee waivers, local financing program for ADUs, etc.) no later than Jul y 2027. The City’s action shall be commensurate with the level of shortfall from construction targets (i.e., if shortfall is significant (i.e., less than 80 percent of goal) , a rezoning action may be required, if shortfall is slight (i.e., 80 percent of goal or greater), additional incentives may be appropriate).
Quantified Objective: Permit 517 ADUs throughout the planning period (approximately 65 per year on average).
Program 2.F: Provide Sewer Priority for Lower-Income Housing.
The City will adopt written policies and procedures that give a priority for sewer hook -ups and service to lower-income housing developments.
Responsible Party: Public Works Department
Funding Source: Sewer Fees
Time Frame: Fourth quarter 2024.
Program 2.G: Pre-Approved Small Lot Home Plans.
Prepare a set(s) of preapproved floor plans and guides for the development of single-family homes on small lots. Provide floor plans to the public for free or at a discounted price.
Responsible Party: Community Development Department
Funding Source: Comprehensive planning fee
Time Frame: July 2026
29 | City of Richmond 2023-2031 Housing Element
Goal 3: Remove constraints to the development of housing.
Policies
Policy 3.1: Reduction of Housing Production Constraints Implement measures to remove or reduce constraints to housing production in Richmond.
Policy 3.2: Collaboratively Address Constraints
Consult with stakeholders (e.g., housing organizations, for- and non-profit developers) to identify and seek solutions to address constraints to housing production.
Programs
Program 3.A: Design Review and Use Permit Process Improvements The City will update required design review findings for housing developments, including community/residential care facilities, to ensure findings are objective. Additionally, the City will hold legal training sessions with the Design Review Board, Planning Commission, and City staff regarding State law provisions (e.g., Housing Accountability Act, SB 330 , etc.) including limited purview, number of public meetings, and timeframes for project reviews.
Responsible Party: Community Development Department, City Attorney’s Office Funding Source: General Fund, comprehensive planning fee Time Frame: Fourth quarter of 2023 with subsequent biannual legal training sessions (2025, 2027, 2029, and 2031).
Quantified Objective: Reduce average processing time (from deemed complete) for both design review and use permit applications by fourth quarter 2025.
Program 3.B: Housing Developers Interviews
Conduct interviews with representatives from the residential development community to discuss the City’s development review and permitting process and ensure it is streamlined.
Responsible Party: Community Development Department
Funding Source: General Fund
Time Frame: Meet with developers biannually (every two years) starting in 2025 (2025, 2027, 2029, and 2031).
Program 3.C: Objective Design Standards for Housing in the Form-Based Code As part of the Richmond Livable Corridors Form-Based Code (FBC) for Macdonald Avenue, 23 rd
Street, and portions of San Pablo Avenue and the surrounding areas, establish objective design
2023-2031 Housing Element City of Richmond | 30
standards to ensure that near and long-term development and capital improvement projects substantially improve the quality of life for Richmond residents.
Responsible Party: Community Development Department
Funding Source: Grant funds, comprehensive planning fee Time Frame: Fourth quarter 2022.
Program 3.D: Density Bonus
The City will ensure that its local density bonus ordinance remains consistent with State law, but will apply current State law even before local amendments are adopted. Should any amendments be required to existing policies pursuant to State law or case l aw, the City will modify its existing policies, as appropriate. The City commits to continue to review and approve eligible requests under State Density Bonus Law (including requests for incentives, concessions, waivers, and parking reductions) so that projects that qualify are not prevented from developing at the densities to which they are entitled.
Responsible Party: Community Development Department
Funding Source: General Fund
Time Frame: Fourth quarter 2025.
Program 3.E: Allow residential care facilities consistent with State law.
Amend the Zoning Code to: 1) require only the same development standards for residential care facilities as those required for single-family dwellings; 2) permit senior residential care facilities serving six or fewer persons by-right; and 3) permit limited hospice facilities by-right in the CM-3, CM-4, or CM-5 zones.
Responsible Party: Community Development Department
Funding Source: General Fund
Time Frame: Fourth quarter 2025.
Quantified Objective: Approve one residential care facility during the planning period.
Goal 4: Create housing opportunities for people with special needs, including seniors, persons with disabilities, single- parent households, first -time homebuyers, large families, unhoused individuals and families.
Policies
Policy 4.1: Senior Housing Development
Actively seek to expand the development of affordable housi ng for extremely low, very low, low and moderate-income seniors.
31 | City of Richmond 2023-2031 Housing Element
Policy 4.2: Accessible Housing Opportunities
Actively seek to expand housing opportunities for persons with disabilities in new and existing single-family and multifamily developments.
Policy 4.3: Child Daycare
Actively seek to expand child daycare opportunities to assist single-parent and dual -income households, especially those who are extremely low, very low, low, and moderate income.
Policy 4.4: First-Time Homebuyer Opportunities
Actively seek to expand housing opportunities for extremely low, very low, low , and moderate- income first-time homebuyers.
Policy 4.5: Large-Family Housing
Actively seek to expand housing opportunities for large families that are extremely low, very low, low, and moderate income.
Policy 4.6: Emergency, Transitional, and Supportive Housing Actively seek to expand emergency, transitional, and supportive housing to address homelessness in Richmond.
Programs
Program 4.A: Senior Housing Resources
Maintain a comprehensive list of senior housing resources to refer tenants to through the City’s Online Housing Resource Center.
Responsible Party: Community Development Department, IT Department Funding Source: Comprehensive planning fee
Time Frame: Update senior housing resources list on the Online Housing Resource Center annually in the second quarter.
Program 4.B: Child Daycare Resources
Continue to work closely with the Contra Costa Child Care Council, which provides childcare subsidies and referral services. Provide and maintain Contra Costa Child Care Council contact and Richmond-specific daycare information through the City’s Online Housing Resource Center.
Responsible Party: Community Development Department, IT Department Funding Source: Comprehensive planning fee
Time Frame: Post Contra Costa Child Care Council contact and Richmond-specific daycare information on the City’s Online Housing Resource Center by second quarter 2026. Update annually in the second quarter.
2023-2031 Housing Element City of Richmond | 32
Program 4.C: Raise Awareness of Reasonable Accommodation Ordinance Raise awareness of reasonable accommodation ordinance through fliers, email blasts, and other marketing materials.
Responsible Party: Community Development Department, IT Department Funding Source: Comprehensive planning fee
Time Frame: Prepare and distribute marketing materials by second quarter 2026. Provide annual outreach thereafter.
Quantified Objective: Approve three reasonable accommodation requests during the planning period.
Program 4.D: State and Federal Housing Funds
Continue to aggressively compete for affordable housing funds provided by state and federal agencies such as HUD, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the State HCD.
Specifically target funding available for persons with special needs and disabilities.
Responsible Party: Community Development Department
Funding Source: Comprehensive planning fee
Time Frame: Annually evaluate notices of funding availability; submit at least one grant application every two years until an award is received.
Quantified Objective: Be awarded one grant for funding that facilitates the production of at least 30 below market rate housing units for persons with special needs and disabilities during the 2023-2031 planning period.
Program 4.E: Homelessness Coordination Efforts
Participate in efforts to actively seek regional solutions to homelessness, including the Contra Costa HOME Consortium and the Contra Costa Interagency Council on Homelessness (CCICH) to i dentify and respond to the needs of homeless individuals and families in Richmond and surrounding communities. Prioritize implementation of the strategies and actions identified in the Consortium’s Consolidated Plan and the CCICH 10-Year Homeless Plan. Actively support education and outreach services for homeless persons.
Responsible Party: Community Development Department
Funding Source: Comprehensive planning fee
Time Frame: Ongoing.
Quantified Objective: See Program 4.F (Homelessness Strategic Plan)
Program 4.F: Homelessness Strategic Plan
Complete a Homelessness Strategic Plan that identifies strategies and partnerships to effectively meet the needs of the unhoused population in Richmond, including physical health, mental health and social service supports. The plan will also include a discussion of the City’s potential housing plans such as a safe parking pilot program, scattered sites housing, interim housing, and other
33 | City of Richmond 2023-2031 Housing Element
housing choices, as well as workforce development opportunities. Apply for forthcoming California Interagency Council on Homelessness (Cal ICH) NOFA to implement future programs.
Responsible Party: Community Development Department
Funding Source: Grant Funds, ARPA funds
Time Frame: Apply for Cal ICH NOFA by June 2023. Complete Homelessness Strategic plan by third quarter of 2023.
Quantified Objective: Secure housing for 60 unhoused individuals by 2025.
Program 4.G: Low Barrier Navigation Centers and Emergency Shelters The Zoning Code does not address low barrier navigation centers (LBNCs), defined as Housing First, low-barrier, service enriched shelters focused on moving people into permanent housing that provide temporary living facilities while case managers connect i ndividuals experiencing homelessness to income, public benefits, health services, shelter, and housing (Government Code Section 65660). State law requires LBNCs to be permitted by-right in areas zoned for mixed- use and nonresidential zones permitting multi -family uses provided they satisfy the provisions established by AB 101 (see Government Code Section 65662). Therefore, the City will amend its Zoning Code to allow Low Barrier Navigation Centers in the RM1, RM2, CM-1, CM-2, CM-3, CM- 4, CM-5, and CR zones by-right. Additionally, the City will amend emergency shelter parking standards to only require parking necessary for emergency shelter staff.
Responsible Party: Community Development Department
Funding Source: Comprehensive planning fee
Time Frame: Second quarter of 2024.
Quantified Objective: See Program 4.J (Funding for Emergency, Transitional, and Supportive Housing).
Program 4.H: Transitional and Supportive Housing
In Richmond, transitional and supportive housing are allowed in all zones that allow residential uses and are subject to the same development standards that apply to other residential uses of a similar type within these zones. They are also allowed by -right in all zones where multi -family and mixed-use developments are permitted, with the exception of the CR Zone. Because the CR Zone permits “multi-unit dwellings” above the ground floor or behind an allowed ground floor use, transitional and supportive housing should be permitted in the same fashion. Therefore, the City will amend its Zoning Code to allow transitional and supportive housing by-right in the CR Zone.
Responsible Party: Community Development Department
Funding Source: Comprehensive planning fee
Time Frame: Fourth quarter of 2025.
Quantified Objective: See Program 4.J (Funding for Emergency, Transitional, and Supportive Housing).
2023-2031 Housing Element City of Richmond | 34
Program 4.I: Employee/Farmworker Housing
The City will amend the Zoning Code to allow employee housing consistent with Health and Safety Code §17021.5 and 17021.6.
Responsible Party: Community Development Department
Funding Source: Comprehensive planning fee
Time Frame: Fourth quarter of 2025.
Program 4.J: Funding for Emergency, Transitional, and Supportive Housing Support non-profit organizations seeking funding sources for the establishment and operation of emergency, transitional, and supportive housing. Continue working with GRIP and the Bay Area Rescue Mission to provide shelter and services for the homeless. Proactively seek and help secure financing through programs such as the Emergency Housing and Assistance Program (EHAP) and the Emergency Shelter Grant Program (ESG).
Responsible Party: Community Development Department
Funding Source: General Fund
Time Frame: Ongoing.
Quantified Objective: Construction of 58 emergency, transitional, and/or supportive housing units by 2031.
Program 4.K: Incentivize Affordable Units for Large Families Explore potential policies to ensure production of larger units (3-bedroom and larger) to meet community needs. Policies will be included in the Housing Equity Roadmap.
Responsible Party: Community Development Department
Funding Source: Comprehensive planning fee
Time Frame: See Program 6.G (Housing Equity Roadmap).
Goal 5: Conserve and improve the existing housing stock to enhance quality of life and provide greater housing stability and community resiliency.
Policies
Policy 5.1: Preservation and Modernization of Public Housing Preserve and systematically modernize Richmond’s public housing developments.
Policy 5.2: Conservation of At-Risk Affordable Housing Units Facilitate the conservation of subsidized housing developments that are at risk of converting to market rate housing.
35 | City of Richmond 2023-2031 Housing Element
Policy 5.3: Abatement of Foreclosures, Substandard Housing, and Blight Improve the physical, social, and economic health of neighborhoods by addressing foreclosures, substandard housing conditions, and neighborhood blight through a balanced program of education, code enforcement, inspections, acquisition, and financial assistance.
Programs
Program 5.A: Monitor At-Risk Affordable Housing Units
Continue monitoring program for at-risk housing units in Richmond. As part of the monitoring program, check the conversion risk status on an annual basis and include the information as part of the Housing Element Annual Progress Report
Responsible Party: Community Development Department
Funding Source: Comprehensive planning fee
Time Frame: Ongoing; the City will monitor the City’s records and the California Housing Partnership’s database annually, and contact owners or representatives of any project that will become at risk in the next five years.
Quantified Objective: See Program 5.B (Assistance for At-Risk Affordable Housing Units).
Program 5.B: Assistance for At-Risk Affordable Housing Units Provide technical assistance to organizations interested in purchasing and maintaining subsidized affordable housing units should property owners express interest in converti ng them to market rate. Provide education and technical assistance to tenants of units being converted to market rate uses.
Responsible Party: Community Development Department
Funding Source: Tax Credit State Federal Program
Time Frame: Ongoing; also see Program 5.A (Monitor At-Risk Affordable Housing Units) Quantified Objective: Zero affordable housing units converted to market rate during the planning period.
Program 5.C: Online Housing Resource Center
Continue providing comprehensive information and guidance on the City’s website for residents facing foreclosure and those seeking assistance in areas such as home purchases, housing improvement, rehabilitation and seismic retrofits, energy conservation improvements, and locating special needs housing. Continue to expand and update the Online Housing Resource Center relative to information on tenant rights, as well as relevant state law and C ity ordinance and policies for property owners, landl ords, and property managers. Prepare information regarding potential life safety maintenance items for multi-family common interest developments,
2023-2031 Housing Element City of Richmond | 36
which may include reference to possible liability issues and City Code Enforcement contact information. Post this information to the Online Housing Resource Center and mailed to multi - family common interest developments in Richmond.
Responsible Party: Community Development Department, Code Enforcement Division, City Manager’s Office, IT Department
Funding Source: Comprehensive planning fee
Time Frame: Ongoing.
Program 5.D: Housing Education Workshops and Outreach
In partnership with community -based organizations and the Rent Program, hold an annual bilingual workshop to educate residents, landlords, and property owners and managers about various local housing issues and available resources. Record the workshop and post it to the City’s website to allow on demand viewing throughout the year.
Responsible Party: Community Development Department, Code Enforcement Division, City Manager’s Office, Rent Program, IT Department
Funding Source: Comprehensive planning fee
Time Frame: Annually
Quantified Objective: Hold one workshop every year with the goal of 40 people cumulatively attend education workshops throughout the planning period.
Program 5.E: Vacant Residential Property Ordinance
Continue to provide public information about and enforce the vacant residential property ordinance.
Responsible Party: Code Enforcement Division, IT Department Funding Source: Comprehensive planning fee
Time Frame: Ongoing.
Program 5.F: Code Enforcement for Residential Neighborhoods Continue to address foreclosures, substandard housing conditions, and neighborhood blight through code enforcement to ensure quality, safe, and healthy housing conditions. U se code enforcement efforts to promote available rehabilitation or other programs to assist property owner with maintaining habitable conditions for residents and improving properties. Maintain a database of health and safety code enforcement complaints. As part of the Housing Element’s Annual Progress Report (A PR), include the total number of code enforcement cases opened for foreclosures, substandard housing conditions, and neighborhood blight. Also include the total amount of fines collected for these types of cases in the APR. Also see Program 5.G (Residential Rental Inspection Program).
Responsible Party: Code Enforcement Division
Funding Source: Comprehensive planning fee
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Time Frame: Ongoing
Quantified Objective: Annually aim to close 90 percent of open housing habitability enforcement cases as of January 1.
Program 5.G: Residential Rental Inspection Program
Continue to operate the City’s Residential Rental Inspection Program (RRIP), which requires regular, periodic inspections for property owners of three or more residential rental units and continue to implement an inspections process for property owners of one or two rental units.
Evaluate effectiveness of the current RRIP including compliance rates. Develop program enhancements to address non-compliance, such as a Rent Escrow Account Program . Also see Program 5.F (Code Enforcement for Residential Neighborhoods).
Responsible Party: Community Development Department
Funding Source: Program fees
Time Frame: Ongoing inspections. Evaluate this program every five years beginning fourth quarter of 2024 and make changes as necessary to enhance the program and address non-compliance.
Quantified Objective: Inspect at least 1,500 units annually.
Program 5.H: Seismic Resiliency
Improve overall community resiliency to seismic hazards through implementing actions in the Public Safety and Noise Element. The City will also seek funding for improvements that enhance building resiliency to seismic hazards (e.g., foundation bolting, retrofitting techniques, etc.).
Responsible Party: Community Development Department
Funding Source: Grant funding
Time Frame: Annually evaluate notices of funding availability; subm it at least one grant application during the planning period.
Program 5.I: County Home Rehabilitation Program
Promote the County’s Neighborhood Preservation Program (NPP) that provides financial assistance to low-income homeowners for home rehabilitation projects. Loans of up to $70,000 are available, and grants of up to $15,000 are available to mobile homeowners and single-family homeowners that do not have sufficient equity in their home. Information on the program is available in English and Spanish.
Responsible Party: Community Development Department, IT Department Funding Source: , General Funds
Time Frame: Annually provide bilingual NPP fliers at housing-related outreach events and on the City’s website
Quantified Objective: Five home rehabilitation loans (NPP loans) issued during the planning period.
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Program 5.J: Mills Act Historical Property Contracts
Continue to utilize Mills Act contract agreements to allow qualifying property owners to receive a potential property tax reduction and use the savings to assist with the rehabilitation, restoration, and maintenance of residential buildings designated as historic resources. Modify the City’s Mills Act Ordinance and/or provide public information and resources to promote use of the program (e.g., handouts, calculator, etc.). Include annual Mills Act contract activity as part of the Housing Element’s Annual Progress Report (APR).
Responsible Party: Community Development Department
Funding Source: Grant funds, Applicant fees
Time Frame: Modify Mills Act Ordinance (2022-2023); provide additional public information and resources regarding Mills Act contracts (2023-2024); annual reporting Quantified Objective: Execute at least one Mills Act contract agreement during the planning period.
Program 5.K: Rental Rehabilitation Loan Program
Seek funding to allow the City’s Rental Rehabilitation Loan Program (RRLP), or a similar program, to be offered based on funding availability. The RRLP provided landlords with no-interest loans to upgrade substandard rental housing units for low -income tenants. The program required landlords to provide a 50 percent match in funds. No minimum monthly payment wa s required, but program loans must be paid in full within 10 years.
Responsible Party: Community Development Department
Funding Source: Grant funding (CDBG and CalHOME)
Time Frame: Annually evaluate notices of funding availability; submit at least one grant application every two years until an award is received
Quantified Objective: Award of one grant for rehabilitation program funding; if funding is awarded, serve three units though the program during the planning period.
Program 5.L: Sanitary Sewer Lateral Grant Program
Continue providing the City’s Sewer Lateral Grant Program to help residents repair or replace private sewer mains and laterals. Under the Program, the City reimburses residents with up to 50 percent of the project costs, or $3,000, whichever is less.
Responsible Party: Public Works Department
Funding Source: Sewer fees
Time Frame: Ongoing
Quantified Objective: Repair or replace an average of 100 sewer laterals annually during the planning period.
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Program 5.M: Richmond Housing Rehabilitation Program
Continue to support the Richmond Housing Rehabilitation Program, funding through a Social Impact Bond, for rehabilitating and repairing abandoned residential properties.
Responsible Party: Code Enforcement
Funding Source: Social Impact Bond
Time Frame: Ongoing
Quantified Objective: 15 properties rehabilitated and sold to first-time homebuyers during the planning period.
Program 5.N: Emergency Loan Program
Seek funding for the City’s Emergency Loan Program. The Emergency Loan Program offered low interest loans to homeowners with poor credit and in need of emergency home repairs. The maximum loan amount wa s $15,000 and interest rates range from zero to three percent. As part of the program, borrowers were required to obtain credit counseling services.
Responsible Party: Community Development Department
Funding Source: Grant Funding
Time Frame: Submit at least one grant application during the planning period.
Quantified Objective: If funding is obtained, issue at least one emergency loan for one home during the planning period.
Program 5.O: Richmond Effort to Abate Lead
In coordination with actions anticipated in the forthcoming Environmental Justice Element, develop a program to abate lead-based paint and asbestos containing materials in older housing.
Seek funding for the program.
Responsible Party: Community Development Department
Funding Source: Grant Funding
Time Frame: Adopt Environmental Justic e Element (2023); s ubmit at least one grant application during the planning period.
Quantified Objective: If funding is obtained, issue grants or loans to fund lead abatement activities in three homes during the planning period.
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Goal 6: Promote fair housing access and opportunities for all persons.
Policies
Policy 6.1: Tenant Protections
Explore reasonable and enforceable regulations that protect tenants from evictions and exorbitant rent increases and refer residents with issues such as foreclosures, landlord-tenant disputes, and unlawful evictions, and housing discrimination to counseling services.
Policy 6.2: Discrimination Prevention
Identify, monitor, and prevent discriminatory housing practices.
Policy 6.3: Displacement Avoidance
Create housing stability for current residents by supporting limited equity and community ownership models and facilitating the preservation and production of affordable housing units.
Policy 6.4: Resources Alignment
Prioritize programming and align funding and resources, including City staff, with highest needs.
Policy 6.5: Lower Income Family Needs
Assess unit size production of publicly subsidized units and align target units sizes of publicly funded and private development projects with the needs of lower income families with children as feasible.
Programs
Program 6.A: Community Land Trust
Design and implement strategies to enable community land trusts that will preserve or create affordable housing opportunities to acquire public land, create an inventory of vacant and blighted properties, and create a Community Land Policy package to encourage and enable production and preservation of permanently affordable housing. See also 6.R (Equitable Public Land Policy) and 6. K (Neighborhood and Land Stabilization Program)
Responsible Party: Community Development Department
Funding Source: Breakthrough Grant
Time Frame: Second quarter of 2024
Program 6.B: Shared Equity Program Study
Study existing shared equity programs in California and determine whether it is feasible to establish a shared-equity program in Richmond as a way of providing more affordable housing.
Under a shared-equity program, the City c ould provide funding to assist families with home
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purchases. In return for its investment, the City could share the benefits of any appreciation in home price. The City’s share of the home’s appreciation could be returned to the City in the form of a cash payment that could be used to help another family with a home purchase. The City’s share could also stay with the home, reducing the cost of that home for the next family. Explore strategies for effective implementation of and funding opportunities for this program in conjunction with the Housing Equity Roadmap (HER).
Responsible Party: Community Development Department
Funding Source: Breakthrough Grant, other sources as available Time Frame: 2022-2024.
Program 6.C: Counseling Service Referrals for Foreclosures, Landlord-Tenant Disputes, Unlawful Evictions, and Housing Discrimination
Continue to refer homeowners, tenants, and landlords to third-party organizations such as Bay Area Legal Aid, Community Housing and Development Corporation of North Richmond, and 211 Bay Area for assistance with issues such as foreclosures, landlord-tenant disputes, unlawful evictions, and housing discrimination. Provide r eferral information as part of the Online Housing Resource Center. In addition, continue to administer the Richmond Rent Program to offer daily counseling sessions for landlords and tenants about the Rent Ordinance, Relocation Ordinance, and related State and local laws, and to fund community legal services agencies.
Responsible Party: Community Development Department, City Manager’s Office, City Attorney’s Office, Rent Program, IT Department
Funding Source: Rent Program Fees
Time Frame: Ongoing.
Quantified Objective: Refer three persons to third-party organizations described in this program throughout the planning period.
Program 6.D: Enforcement of Just Cause for Eviction Ordinance Continue to enforce Richmond’s Just Cause for Eviction Ordinance that was expanded by Ballot Measure L in 2016. The City will continue to provide information to residents and property owners and managers on the Ordinance requirements through the City’s website.
Responsible Party: Rent Program, IT Department
Funding Source: Comprehensive planning fee, Rent Program fees Time Frame: Ongoing.
Program 6.E: Housing Access and Discrimination Protocols and Monitoring Develop a protocol to eliminate instances of housing discrimination where discovered, and coordinate with local organizations and representatives providing support to groups receiving unfair treatment in the pursuit of suitable housing. D evelop ongoing monitoring practices to prevent future instances of housing discrimination.
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Responsible Party: Community Development Department, City Manager’s Office, City Attorney’s Office, Rent Program
Funding Source: Comprehensive planning fee
Time Frame: Develop protocols and monitoring practices by fourth quarter 2026.
Program 6.F: Mortgage Credit Certificate Tax Credit Program Support and promote the Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC) Tax Credit Program administered by the Contra Costa County Department of Conservation and Development and make program information readily available through the Online Housing Resource Center as funding becomes available. Also provide information about first-time homebuyer programs administered by local non-profits such as Community Housing Development Corporation (CHDC).
Responsible Party: Community Development Department, IT Department Funding Source: Contra Costa County, comprehensive planning fee Time Frame: Annually review and update program information on the City’s Online Housing Resource Center.
Quantified Objective: If the MCC Program is funded, 10 Richmond homeowners assisted by 2031.
Program 6.G: Housing Equity Roadmap (HER)
The City, with support by Just Cities Institute, is developing a Housing Equity Roadmap (HER) to provide a concrete set of policy and program recommendations for City implementation in the next 5 to 10 years. The Housing Equity Roadmap will include information about demographic changes, including at neighborhood level that are critical to policy development, as well as best practice research of effective efforts from other jurisdictions. The HER effort will include research on the legal and public policy framework for conducting a fair housing impact assessment and local preference and right to return policies, taking into account the housing needs of persons of color who have historically been discriminated against in housing practices.
Responsible Party: Community Development Department
Funding Source: Grant funds
Time Frame: Develop draft HER by second quarter 2023; final HER by fourth quarter 2023; implementation of the HER based on HER action plan.
Program 6.H: Increased Housing Staffing
Assess and increase City Housing Division staffing needs to successfully implement the Housing Element programs, Homelessness Strategic Plan, and Housing Equity Roadmap.
Responsible Party: Community Development Department
Funding Source: Grant funds, comprehensive planning fee Time Frame: Complete assessment of Housing Division staffing needs by December 2023.
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Quantified Objective: Hire one new staff member and augment staffing with contract services (three contractors minimum) by June 2024. Identify long-term funding for staff and programming by December 2026.
Program 6.I: AFFH Housing Funding
Identify potential regional, State, federal, and private funding resources for the implementation of identified AFFH meaningful actions.
Responsible Party: Community Development Department
Funding Source: Comprehensive planning fee
Time Frame: Identify potential funding sources and include in the Housing Equity Roadmap by December 2023.
Quantified Objective: Secure a minimum of $300,000 of new funding by September 2024.
Program 6.J: Public Financing Options
Evaluate new public financing options for voter consideration that w ould minimize negative impacts, such as displacement, faced by lower income residents and can be dedicated towards increasing City Housing Division staffing and implementing identified meaningful actions .
Potential public financing mechanisms may include amending the real estate transfer tax or vacant properties parcel tax. Create a process for including the most viable public financing option in the 2026 election.
Responsible Party: Community Development Department, City Attorney, City Council Funding Source: Comprehensive planning fee
Time Frame: Evaluate public financing options by December 2023. Include most viable public financing option on ballot for 2026 election by September 2026.
Quantified Objective: Evaluate a minimum of two public financing options.
Program 6.K: Neighborhood Land Stabilization Program
Develop a Neighborhood and Land Stabilization Program (NLSP) that supports community land trust acquisition and rehabilitation of residential properties in order to stabilize neighborhoods by avoiding displacement of existing tenants in substandard rentals and owners in properties that have fallen under deferred maintenance and retaining tax default. As part of this program, the City will:
• Create a database of abandoned, deteriorated, vacant, and tax delinquent properties, as well as habitability violations by June 2023.
• Investigate Revenue and Taxation Code Chapter 8 tax defaulted program design by September 2023.
• Evaluate current Housing Receivership Program impacts by September 2023. • Initiate community engagement by September 2023.
• Enact the NLSP. Begin adoption phase by September 2023.
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• Pilot at least one acquisition for community land trust (either vacant or developed property) to benefit a minimum of two low-income family households by December 2026.
Also see Program 6.A. (Community Land Trusts).
Responsible Party: Community Development Department, City Attorney Funding Source: Breakthrough grant funding, comprehensive planning fee Time Frame: See above.
Quantified Objective: Pilot at least one acquisition for community land trust (either vacant or developed property) to benefit a minimum of two low-income family households.
Program 6.L: SB 1079
Investigate SB 1079 (2020), which created a new foreclosure sale process for two -to-four-unit buildings that allows qualified parties a means to purchase property in foreclosure, subject to certain requirements. If feasible, assist the transfer of property under SB 1079.
Responsible Party: Community Development Department, City Attorney Funding Source: General Fund
Time Frame: Complete feasibility analysis by December 2023. Assist in the transfer of units under SB 1079 beginning March 2026, then assist annually Quantified Objective: Assist two units annually if determined to be feasible.
Program 6.M: Anti-Displacement Zones
Study legal and programmatic feasibility of creating anti-displacement zones (ADZ) that implement anti-displacement strategies, including: researching best practices for incorporating neighborhood level median income for defining “AMI” levels for affordable housing being built in ADZs while still complying with TCAC and HCD definitions for subsidized projects; evaluating existing local laws regarding demolition of rent stabilized buildings and potential ability to requir e one for one replacement in the new units in compliance with State legislation.
Responsible Party: Community Development Department, City Attorney Funding Source: Grant funding, comprehensive planning fee Time Frame: December 2023
Program 6.N: Local Preference and Right to Return Policies Develop local preference and right to return policies for new affordable housing units, services, and financial assistance in compliance with State legislation and funding source requirements.
Responsible Party: Community Development Department, City Attorney Funding Source: Grant funding, comprehensive planning fee Time Frame: See below.
Quantified Objective: Develop outreach materials about existing anti -displacement resources and conduct annual outreach to 300 residents in displacement vulnerable areas
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by December 2024. Once new expanded anti -displacement resources are available, conduct annual outreach to 1,000 residents in displacement vulnerable areas beginning March 2026.
Program 6.O: Fair Housing Impact Assessment Policy
Pilot the use of a Fair Housing Impact Assessment policy and evaluate its utility in guiding City informed decision-making and public knowledge of the impacts of new development projects. This will be included in the Housing Equity Roadmap.
Responsible Party: Community Development Department
Funding Source: Grant funding, comprehensive planning fee Time Frame: See Program 6.G (Housing Equity Roadmap).
Quantified Objective: Pilot the use of a Fair Housing Impact Assessment Policy (beginning with public property) to benefit a minimum of 100 households , beginning December 2024.
Program 6.P: Housing Reparations Fund
Establish a Housing Reparations Fund for both homeowners and tenants, with robust community engagement to aid Richmond’s long-time Black/African American residents impacted by displacement and/or structural racism in compliance with Proposition 209. The program may include a right of return, affordable housing preference policy, and/or other forms of economic assistance.
Responsible Party: Community Development Department
Funding Source: Grant funding, comprehensive planning fee Time Frame: Design Housing Reparations Fund by June 2024. Identify monies to fund the program by March 2025. Implement the program by December 2025.
Quantified Objective: Identify and obtain at least $250,000 to fund the program with the aim to increase the program funding over time.
Program 6.Q: Basic Income Program
Evaluate creation of a basic income program (e.g., through Richmond Rapid Response Fund (R3F)); the target population for the program should be identified with input from the community.
Responsible Party: Community Development Department
Funding Source: Grant funding, comprehensive planning fee Time Frame: Adopt policies as part of the R3F strategic plan and governance structure development by June 2023.
Quantified Objective: Serve a minimum of four households per year beginning March 2024 (i.e., 28 households through January 2031).
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Program 6.R: Equitable Public Land Policy
Develop an Equitable Public Land policy, in compliance with the Surplus Land Act, with guidelines and preferential criteria for the disposition or use of publicly owned land. Also see Program 1 .J (Surplus Land Act Sites) and Program 6.A. (Community Land Trusts).
Responsible Party: Community Development Department
Funding Source: Breakthrough Grant funding, comprehensive planning fee Time Frame: Conduct spatial inventory of publicly owned land by December 2022.
Conduct robust community engagement, including engaging a minimum of 300 residents from Richmond’s lower income neighborhoods by December 2023. Adopt new Equitable Public Land policy in consultation with Community Land Trusts, Limited Equity Cooperatives, and other non-profit entities that prioritize permanently affordable housing while supporting homeowner equity attainment and renter stabilization; or immediate and long-term housing solutions for unhoused residents. Issue annual Notice of Availability, for one to two parcels to provide a minimum of six units beginning September 2024.
Quantified Objective: Conduct robust community engagement, including engaging a minimum of 300 residents from Richmond’s lower income neighborhoods . Issue annual Notice of Availability, for one to two parcels to provide a minimum of six units.
Program 6.S: Anti-Displacement Services
Provide new anti -displacement services, including proactive and affirmative enforcement to prevent discrimination against single female headed households with children who are at high risk of eviction.
Responsible Party: Community Development Department
Funding Source: Grant funding, comprehensive planning fee Time Frame: Begin annual outreach March 2024.
Quantified Objective: Connect with a minimum of 20 female headed households with children for educational workshops and access to services annually.
Program 6.T: Renter Policies
Evaluate new renter policies to protect renters from the long-term collateral consequences of the COVID19 pandemic. Assess and design potential new renter access policies that address discrimination based on credit scores, eviction history, source of income, and income level requirements (i.e., requiring income three times or more of the rent costs), as part of the Housing Equity Roadmap.
Responsible Party: Community Development Department
Funding Source: Grant funding, comprehensive planning fee Time Frame: See Program 6.G (Housing Equity Roadmap).
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Program 6.U: Senior Resident Housing Needs
Assess housing needs of senior residents, particularly lower income senior renters and homeowner and provide new housing services for low -income senior residents. Design new programming and/or policies through community surveys, analysis of mortgage and rent burden, and tailored community forums to inform housing assistance services and additional policies.
Responsible Party: Community Development Department
Funding Source: Grant funding, comprehensive planning fee Time Frame: Conduct assessment and design new programs for seniors and policies by March 2024.
Quantified Objective: Implement at least one new program to serve needs of seniors starting in July 2025. Serve 50 low-income seniors by December 2030.
Program 6.V: LGBTQ+ Housing Issues
Partner with local organizations to hold forum on LGBTQ+ housing issues with community organizations. Coordinate with community -led efforts to better understand the needs of the LGBTQ+ community.
Responsible Party: Community Development Department
Funding Source: Grant funding, comprehensive planning fee Time Frame: Produce publicly available report summarizing anonymized feedback on LGBTQ+ housing issues and proposed solutions with additional opportunity for community engagement and feedback by December 2025. Complete assessment of community needs by September 2027.
Quantified Objective: Hold two annual forums (2024 and 2025) with a minimum of 25 participants at each by September 2027.
Program 6.W: Formerly Incarcerated Resident Housing Needs Prioritize the housing needs of formerly incarcerated residents through: 1) Completed implementation of current Fair Chance housing and 2) Considered expansion of the Fair Chance Housing law to apply to all for ms of housing and eliminate the entire use of criminal records (similar to the cities of Berkeley and Oakland).
Responsible Party: Community Development Department
Funding Source: Grant funding, comprehensive planning fee Time Frame: Produce City staff report on the outcomes of the current Fair Chance Housing Ordinance; evaluate landlord compliance and tenant experience of the current law by December 2023. Review implementation of the cities of Berkeley and Oakland Fair Chance Housing Ordinances and work with the City Attorney and the community, including re-entry service organizations to draft an expanded ordinance for City Council review and adoption by March 2024.
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Program 6.X: Re-Entry Housing
Preserve at-risk re-entry housing units and integrate re-entry housing priorities into City housing plans, including Homelessness Strategic Plan and Housing Equity Roadmap. Advocate with the County for similar actions.
Responsible Party: Community Development Department
Funding Source: Grant funding, comprehensive planning fee Time Frame: Integrate re-entry housing priorities into City housing plans by March 2024.
Preserve re-entry housing units by December 2028.
Quantified Objective: Work with Rubicon Homes to preserve 10 assisted re-entry housing units at moderate risk of converting to market rate units during planning period.
Program 6.Y: Undocumented Resident Housing Needs
Prioritize the housing needs of undocumented residents by establishing a referral list of non-Legal Service Corporation (LSC) funded organizations for undocumented tenants and by enacting a City policy that removes discriminatory barriers against undocumented residents in access to City funded housing units, services, and financial assistance.
Responsible Party: Community Development Department, City Attorney Funding Source: Grant funding, comprehensive planning fee Time Frame: City Attorney’s office to collaborate with legal advocacy organizations to conduct legal research and review of the City’s legal authority to combat housing discrimination against undocumented residents by December 2024. Evaluate City powers to reduce barriers of entry for undocumented tenants without social security numbers (SSN) to apply for subsidized housing by December 2024.
Program 6.Z: Encampment Projects
Complete the sunsetting of the Castro encampment and continue to offer services and supporting development of a transition plan for previous residents of the Castro and Rydin encampments (the Rydin encampment was closed September 30, 2022) . Emergency housing support is being implemented that bridges urgent needs to get extremely vulnerable households indoors while seeking placement in County safety net resources.
Responsible Party: Community Development Department
Funding Source: Grant funding, General Fund
Time Frame: June 2024.
Quantified Objective: Provide alternative housing opportunities, including supportive services, for approximately 130 encampment residents based on individual need assessments and program funding by December 2023. Offer counseling, behavioral health, drug rehabilitation, job related training and support, health services, and housing
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pathways to approximately 130 residents living in these specific encampments, beginning August 2022.
Program 6.AA: Tenant, Community, and Government Opportunity (TOPA/COPA/GOPA) to Purchase Ordinance
Implement a local tenant/community and government opportunity to purchase (TOPA/COPA/GOPA) ordinance and ensure adequate legal and organizational support so that tenants can avail themselves of the TOPA/COPA/GOPA process when it becomes available.
Collaborate with local jurisdictions including Oakland and Berkeley to learn from their experiences designing TOPA/COPA/GOPA policies that would cover a wider array of buildings outside of foreclosure, including rental housing with expiring federal and/or state subsidies and/or affordability protections. Require purchasers to preserve units as permanently affordable. Include these findings and best practice policy implementation information in the Housing Equity Roadmap.
Responsible Party: Community Development Department
Funding Source: Grant funding, comprehensive planning fee.
Time Frame: See Program 6.G (Housing Equity Roadmap) . Refine the City’s proposed TOPA/COPA/GOPA Ordinance for City Council review and potential adoption by September 2026.
Quantified Objective: Seek to preserve a minimum of two units annually upon implementation.
Program 6.A B: Public Improvements and Affordable Housing in Low -Income Neighborhoods of Color
Identify place-based strategies for new affordable housing and fair housing investments in low - income areas with new City infrastructure improvements.
Responsible Party: Community Development Department
Funding Source: Grant funding, comprehensive planning fee Time Frame: Secure funding by December 2031.
Quantified Objective: Secure at least $5 million for public improvements in low -income neighborhoods of color, coupled with new affordable housing and fair housing strategies.
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Program 6.AC: Resident Planning Councils
Review b est practices of resident planning councils in other cities, including staffing, funding sources, and interface with government to be included in the Housing Equity Roadmap. If deemed feasible, pilot resident planning council would review and provide feedback to the City on proposed development projects in their neighborhoods and policies that may impact resident health and displacement. Conduct a City sponsored training program to discuss how City planning and approval processes work, the history of land use discrimination, land use terminology and major policies, and the role of residents in land use decisions.
Responsible Party: Community Development Department
Funding Source: Grant funding, comprehensive planning fee Time Frame: See Program 6.G (Housing Equity Roadmap) . Design resident planning councils by December 2024. Launch and evaluate resident planning council by March 2026.
Goal 7: Encourage energy and resource conservation and sustainability measures.
Policies
Policy 7.1: Green Building Measures and Practices
Promote the incorporation of green building measures and practices in new residential development projects and existing residential structures.
Programs
Program 7.A: California Green Building Standards
Continue to enforce the State of California’s Green Building Standards (CALGreen Code), which is intended to reduce construction waste, make buildings more efficient in the use of materials and energy, and reduce environmental impacts during and after construction. Continue to enforce Natural Gas Ban to restrict the use of natural gas for new construction.
Responsible Party: Community Development Department
Funding Source: Permit fees
Time Frame: Ongoing.
Program 7.B: Energy Program Referrals and Funding
Continue to refer property owners to third-party organizations that provide energy programs. The City will continue to improve the energy efficiency of households by partnering with the following initiatives and leveraged funding sources: 1) Leverage funding from the Environmental and Community Investment Agreement (ECIA) to provide incentives to property owners; 2) Develop enhanced building codes and policies through a grant-funded partnership with the California
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Energy Commission; 3) Partner with the East Bay Energy Watch to perform no-cost Green House Calls for residents; 4) Provide financing tools such as Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) for water and energy efficiency, solar, and seismic upgrades; and 5) Solarize affordable housing at no-cost to property owners with State funding through a partnership with GRID Alternatives. If construction of upgrades requires tenants to temporarily relocate, the City will require temporary relocation payments and other requirements consistent with Municipal Code Chapter 11.102 (Relocation Requirements for Tenants of Residential Rental Units).
Responsible Party: City Manager’s Office
Funding Source: Grant funds, ECIA funds
Time Frame: Ongoing.
Quantified Objective: Conduct three referrals under this program during the planning period.
Program 7.C: Site Remediation
Require property owners to comply with State and federal requirements for site remediation as a condition for approving redevelopment on contaminated sites. In collaboration with other government agencies, utilize the Department of Toxic Substance Control (DTSC) Cortese List to prioritize the r emediation of C ity and non-City-owned property to protect human and environmental health. Seek State and federal funds to implement the necessary level of clean-up.
Responsible Party: Community Development Department
Funding Source: EPA grants, revolving loan fund
Time Frame: Ongoing.
Quantified Objective: Complete remediation of four parcels by 2031.
IV.B Quantified Objectives
Table IV -2 presents the City’s quantified objectives for construction, preservation, and rehabilitation for the 2023 – 2031 planning period that will be achieved through the policies and programs described above.
Table IV-2: Quantified Objectives
Program Type/Affordability Extremely
Low1 Very Low Low Moderate Above
Moderate Total
New Construction 420 420 485 638 1,651 3,614
Rehabilitation 0 6 6 0 0 12
Conservation/Preservation 0 10 0 0 0 10
Total 420 436 491 638 1,651 3,636
1 The City estimates 50% of the very low households would qualify as extremely low income.