Housing and Homelessness
Committee Memorandum
TO: HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS COMMITTEE DATE: APRIL 25, 2022 FROM: RIVERSIDE POLICE DEPARTMENT WARDS: ALL
COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
DEPARTMENT
SUBJECT: UPDATE ON THE CRIME FREE MULTI-HOUSING PROGRAM AND ITS RELATIONSHIP TO THE RIVERSIDE MUNICIPAL CODE ISSUE:
Receive and file an update on the City’s Crime Free Multi-Housing Program and its relationship to the Riverside Municipal Code.
RECOMMENDATION:
That the Housing and Homelessness Committee receive and file an update on the Crime Free Multi-Housing Program and its relationship to the Riverside Municipal Code.
BACKGROUND:
On January 24, 2022, the Committee heard a presentation on “Housing Barriers Faced by Formerly Incarcerated People and Their Families” as it relates to the City’s current Crime Free Multi-Housing Program. Lack of access to safe and affordable housing presents a significant barrier to successful re-entry for formerly incarcerated people in the City of Riverside. The presentation included a summary of the importance of stable housing for successful re-entry, some of the housing barriers faced by formerly incarcerated people, and possible next steps for the City.
The Committee directed staff to return to the Committee with a presentation and update on the Crime Free Multi-Housing Program and how the Riverside Municipal Code relates to the Program.
DISCUSSION:
Crime Free Multi-Housing Program
The Crime Free Multi-Housing Program (Program) is a crime prevention program designed to reduce crime, drugs, and gangs on apartment properties. The Program was first developed at the Mesa, Arizona Police Department in 1992. The International Crime Free Multi-Housing program has spread to nearly 2,000 cities in 48 U.S. States, 5 Canadian Provinces, England, Nigeria, and Puerto Rico, to name a few.
In the City of Riverside, there are approximately 120 properties involved in the Crime Free Multi-Housing Program (Attachment 1). The Program is required for any Multi-Family housing project. Each year, the Riverside Police Department holds the training at the Magnolia Police Station. Property Managers are required to attend CFMH training annually to remain certified. Property inspections are also conducted annually by the Crime Free Multi-Housing Coordinator.
The Program includes three phases that are completed under the supervision of the local police department. The property becomes certified upon successful completion of all three phases of the Program. Property managers can individually certify after completing training in each phase. A summary of the three Phases includes:
Phase 1 – Management Training
Crime Prevention Tips and Trends
CPTED Theory (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design) Resident Screening Guidelines
Lease Agreements and Eviction Issues
Crime Free Lease Addendum
Monitoring and Reporting Crimes
Gangs and Drug Activity Awareness
Legal Warnings, Notices and Evictions
Working with the Police
Fire Safety Training
Community Awareness
Smoking Laws
Phase 2 – CPTED Survey
(CPTED) Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design
Minimum door, window, and lock standards inspection
Minimum exterior lighting standards evaluation
Emergency key control access
Landscape maintenance standards compliance
Properties are given CFMH signs to post on their property Phase 3 – Community Awareness Training
Annual crime prevention social which is hosted by property management and the Police Community awareness and continuous participation is encouraged Benefits of the Program generally include keeping crime out of rental properties and providing tenants with a safe, living environment. In Riverside, the Crime Free Multi-Housing Program benefits have included a stable, satisfied tenant base, lower maintenance and repair costs, and increased safety for tenants, landlords, managers, and the surrounding community.
Riverside Municipal Code – References to Crime Free Multi-Housing Program There are several references to the Crime Free Multi-Family Program in the Riverside Municipal Code (RMC). A summary includes:
Title 1 – General Provisions – In this Title, the Administrative Code allows the hearing officer to require successful completion of the Program as part of the remedy for the infraction to the RMC.
Chapter 1.17 Administrative Code Enforcement Remedies
1.17.160 - An Administrative Hearing Officer may, if appropriate as part of enforcement actions arising from the issuance of an Administrative Civil Penalties Notice and Order, require the responsible party to participate in and successfully complete the Program.
Title 19 – Zoning - There are operational and development standards in various sections of the Title 19 that require participation in the Program for various types of multi-family housing. These requirements are included in entitlement conditions of approvals when the project is approved. Specific requirements include:
Article V Base Zones and Related Use and Development Provisions – Chapter 19.120 – Mixed Use Zones
19.120.080 Performance standards – Requires that any multi-family residential development or group home participate the Program.
Article VI Overlay Zones – Chapter 19.210 – Mobile Home Parks
19.210.050 Additional development standards – Requires that any new mobile home park participate in the Program.
Article VII Special Land Use Provisions
Chapter 19.255 – Assemblies of People – Non-Entertainment
19.255.030 Site location, operation and development standards – For incidental residential units, requires the property owner and/or management to be an active member of the Program.
Chapter 19.330 – Hotel/Motel Long-Term Stay
19.330.030 Site location, operation and development standards – Requires the property owner and/or management to be an active member of the Program.
Chapter 19.350 – Parolee/Probationer Home
19.350.040 Site location, operation and development standards – Requires the facility's management to participate in the Program including obtaining and maintaining certification status.
Chapter 19.400 – Shelters Emergency
19.400.040 Site location, operation, and development standards – Requires the facility's management to participate in the Program.
Chapter 19.401 – Single Room Occupancies (SROs)
19.401.030 Site location, operation and development standards – Requires the facility's management to participate in the Program.
Article IX – Land Development Permit Requirements Procedures Chapter 19.740 – Temporary Use Permit
19.740.050 Development, operational and location standards – For temporary emergency shelters, requires the owner and/or management to be an active member of the Program.
Chapter 19.770 – Site Plan Review Permit
19.770.040 Conditions of approval – As a condition of approval, requires the owner and/or management to participate and complete the Program.
Chapter 19.790 – Condominium Conversion Permits
19.790.050 Guidelines and standards – Requires, as a condition of approval, all multi-family condominium conversions to participate in the Program.
The Community & Economic Development Department concurs with this report.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT
The review of the Crime Free Multi-Family Housing Program aligns with the following Strategic Priorities of the Envision Riverside 2025 Strategic Plan.
Strategic Priority 2 – Community Well-Being (Goals 2.4 and 2.5) Strategic Priority 5 – High Performing Government (Goals 5.3 and 5.5) Alignment with the Cross Cutting Threads includes:
Community Trust – The review of the Crime Free Multi-Housing Program aligns with the Community Trust Cross-Cutting Thread in that it allows for an open dialogue on the Programs benefits and possible constraints so that the public has an opportunity to provide input into the Program.
Equity – The review of the Crime Free Multi-Housing Program aligns with the Equity Cross-Cutting Thread in that all projects that are required to participate in the program are provided an opportunity to participate in the discussion.
Fiscal Responsibility – The review of the Crime Free Multi-Housing Program aligns with the Fiscal Responsibility in that no funds are expended to discuss the current Program.
Innovation - The review of the Crime Free Multi-Housing Program aligns with the Innovation Cross-Cutting Thread as it reports out the specifics of the Program and relationship with the Riverside Municipal Code.
Sustainability and Resiliency – The review of the Crime Free Multi-Housing Program aligns with the Sustainability and Resiliency Cross-Cutting Thread provides for a discussion on the Program that provides safe housing opportunities for generations.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact associated with this report.
Prepared by: Larry Gonzalez, Police Chief
Certified as to
availability of funds: Edward Enriquez, Chief Financial Officer/City Treasurer Approved by: Rafael Guzman, Assistant City Manager
Approved as to form: Phaedra A. Norton, City Attorney Attachments:
List of CFMH properties
Presentation