Housing and Homelessness
Committee Memorandum
TO: HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS DATE: SEPTEMBER 28, 2026
COMMITTEE MEMBERS
FROM: HOUSING AND HUMAN SERVICES WARDS: ALL SUBJECT: REVIEW HOMELESSNESS ACTION PLAN GOAL NUMBER ONE – INCREASE HOUSING PRODUCTION WITH A FOCUS ON AFFORDABILITY ISSUE:
The issue for the Housing and Homelessness Committee is to give direction to staff relating to the existing and proposed updates to the Homelessness Action Plan Goal Number One – Increase Housing Production with a Focus on Affordability.
RECOMMENDATION:
That the Housing and Homelessness Committee:
Provide any recommendations deemed necessary to the existing and/or proposed Homelessness Action Plan Goal Number One – Increase Housing Production with a Focus on Affordability; and Request staff bring forth any specific language recommendations along with corresponding Homelessness Action Plan updates to the full City Council for discussion.
BACKGROUND:
On October 11, 2022, the City Council approved the Homelessness Action Plan (The Plan) developed by the City of Riverside’s Office of Homeless Solutions in collaboration with the Housing and Homelessness Committee. The Plan was built in alignment with the Envision Riverside 2025 Strategic Plan, prior committee goals, and the City’s Housing First Policy, and established a comprehensive framework to address homelessness.
The Plan focused on six key goals including increasing housing production, increasing availability of services, preventing homelessness, establishing emergency shelter, expanding public awareness, and coordinating regional infrastructure.
Development of the Plan included extensive stakeholder engagement, such as community meetings, Task Force discussions, partner input, and feedback from individuals experiencing homelessness. Input emphasized prioritizing vulnerable populations, expanding low-barrier and creative housing solutions, and fostering collective regional action.
The 2022 Plan aligned with state funding requirements, including the Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention (HHAP) grants and HOME Investment Partnerships-American Rescue Plan, and incorporated data from the 2022 Point-in-Time Count and stakeholder feedback to identify service gaps and target subpopulations. The Plan also reflected City Council direction on regional coordination, public safety considerations, and program evaluation.
On June 22, 2026, the Housing and Homelessness Committee received a Homelessness Action Plan review process that outlined a series of six dedicated discussions focused on each Plan goal.
DISCUSSION:
A comprehensive report of committee recommendations will be presented to the Housing and Homelessness Committee at the conclusion of the review with a draft Homelessness Action Plan anticipated to go to City Council at a later date.
The Plan review process schedule has been updated as follows:
Topic
Anticipated Committee Date
Updated Anticipated Committee Date
Goal #1
Increase Housing Production with a Focus on Affordability August 24, 2026
September 28, 2026
Goal #2
Increase the Availability of Services
September 28, 2026
October 26, 2026
Goal #3
Prevent Homelessness
October 26, 2026
November 23, 2026
Goal #4
Emergency Shelter
November 23, 2026
December 28, 2026
Goal #5
Expand Public Awareness
December 28, 2026
January 25, 2027
Goal #6
Coordinated Regional Infrastructure
January 25, 2027
February 22, 2027
The review process format will consist of four stages:
Review of the current goal objectives
Progress made toward goal and achievement timeline
Legislative impacts
Proposed updates and recommendations
Omnibus Updates
During the review process of the Homelessness Action Plan several updates will be made to the collective document including:
Aligning goals to reporting periods related to the Point-In-Time Count Replace reference to the Office of Homeless Solutions to Housing and Human Services Goal #1 - Increase Housing Production with a Focus on Affordability 2022 Goal One Objectives
Performance
Ensure 90% of expiring affordable housing covenants are maintained.
Achieved
5% increase in affordable housing units inventory.
Achieved
550 market rate and affordable housing units built annually.
Achieved
55 for-sale market rate and affordable housing units built annually.
Achieved
5% increase in number of sites developed from 2018 Housing First Plan.
In Progress*
Carry out the development of 689 affordable housing units in the pipeline for development.
In Progress*
* Mulberry Gardens, Sunrise at Bogart, Aspire, and Vista de La Sierra The City has met approximately 20% of the Regional Housing Needs Assessment permitted by CY 2021 and 2022.
Efforts to increase housing production with a focus on affordability have resulted in measurable progress, particularly through new development initiatives and partnerships aimed at expanding affordable housing stock. However, ongoing challenges related to funding, land availability, and regulatory timelines continue to impact the pace of delivery.
Legislative Impacts
Legislative impacts that may impact the implementation of objectives associated with Goal One – Increase Housing Production with a Focus on Affordability include:
Recent changes in HHAP funding that requires awarded agencies to provide a 30% match to grant funding.
Prop 1 passage that impacts affordable housing bonds for constructing, acquiring, and preserving affordable multi-family rental housing, and downpayment assistance. Prop 1 also expands homeownership opportunities for Veterans.
Proposed Updates and Recommendations
Proposed Goal One Objectives
Recommendation
Ensure 90% of expiring affordable housing covenants are maintained Maintain Objective
5% increase in affordable housing units inventory
Strike Objective
550 market rate and affordable housing units built annually Strike Objective
325 market rate and affordable housing units built annually New Objective
55 for-sale market rate and affordable housing units built annually Maintain Objective
5% increase in number of sites developed from 2018 Housing First Plan.
Maintain Objective
Carry out the development of 689 affordable housing units in the pipeline for development.
Strike Objective
Add one to two developments to the affordable housing pipeline annually New Objective
Align goal to HUD Action Plan and Consolidation Plan
New Objective
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact related to this staff report.
Prepared by: Megan Stoye, Housing and Human Services Deputy Director Approved by: Michelle Davis, Housing and Human Services Director Attachments:
Homelessness Action Plan
Presentation
Homelessness Action Plan Review – Goal One ● Page 2