DRAFT (V.2)
FY 2023-25 CITY COUNCIL PRIORITY WORKPLAN:
PROPOSED AMENDMENT #8
UNDER MAJOR POLICY AREA: EXPAND HOUSING OPTIONS
__________________________________________________________________________________________ ADD: POLICY #311:
Support Adoption and Completion of (1) Housing Element Update (March 18, 2024); (2) Environmental Justice Element; (3) Safety and Noise Element Update; (3) Environmental Review under CEQA , and the following policy and program objectives reviewed at the July 10, 2024 Housing Policy Workshop, as follows:
A. REGIONAL HOUSING NEEDS ALLOCATION (RHNA): Focus ongoing efforts to comply with RHNA requirements separated into four (4) affordability levels: Very Low: < 50% area median income (AMI); Low: 50 – 80% AMI; Moderate: 80 – 120% AMI; and Above Moderate: >120% AMI
• Total Regional Housing Needs Allocation for San Pablo for the new 2023 -2031 cycle is 746 net new units, compared to the 449 units for the last cycle
• For the year 2023, San Pablo permitted a total of 76 net new units (up from 11 in the prior year) • A total of 609 units remain to be completed by 2031, most in Above Moderate category
B. HOUSING ACTION PLAN: Focus efforts on implementation of the City’s Housing Action Plan (HAP):
GOAL #1: INCREASE HOUSING SUPPLY
Facilitate production of at least 800 new homes by 2031
GOAL #2: AFFORDABILITY
Take action to address affordability and housing security for all income groups and family types in San Pablo
GOAL #3: EQUAL OPPORTUNITY
Equal housing opportunity for all residents of San Pablo, regardless of race, religion, sex, marital status, ancestry, national origin, color, or handicap
GOAL #4: NEIGHBORHOOD PRESERVATION AND ENHANCEMENT
Enhanced quality of existing residential neighborhoods in San Pablo, through maintenance and preservation, while minimizing displacement impacts
GOAL #5: SUSTAINABILITY AND HEALTH
Proactive energy conservation and waste reduction activities in all residential neighborhoods
GOAL #6: CAPACITY BUILDING
Strengthen local government institutional capacity , provide information to the community and monitor accomplishments to respond effectively to housing needs
C. OMNIBUS CODE CLEAN-UP: Focus efforts on policy implementation and timeline for completion on Omnibus Code Clean-Up to consist of:
• #1-D Revise Multifamily Minimum Parcel Size
• #1-E Facilitate Lot Consolidation
• #1-G Reduced Parking Standards
• #1-H Faith-Based Community Housing
• #1-I Shopkeeper Housing
• #2-F Mobile Home Park Conversion
• #2-G Single-Room Occupancy Hotels
• #3-A Housing for Extremely Low-Income Households and Special Needs Groups • #3-B Emergency Shelters
• #3-C Employee Housing
• #3-D Zoning for Residential Care Facilities
• #3-E Transitional and Supportive Housing
• #3-J Low-Barrier Navigation Centers
• #3-K Density Bonus
• #3-M Definition of Family
D. HOUSING ACTION PLAN – KEY FOCUS AREAS : Prioritize efforts on developing policy/program implementation on the following key focus areas for 2024-20231 Period, as follows:
• Complete Rumril Blvd. Corridor Plan and Amend the 23rd Street Specific Plan • Provide incentives for High-Density Infill and Missing Middle Housing opportunities • Preserve existing Deed-Restricted Affordable Housing Units • Partner with Community Land Trust
• Continue robust Residential Health and Safety (RH&S) Inspection Program to promote quality housing and eliminate substandard housing
• Continue Neighborhood Clean-Up and Vehicle Abatement Programs
D. AFFORDABLE HOUSING STRATEGY: Uphold all provisions of the City’s adopted Affordable Housing Strategy adopted in November 16, 2020, under the Implementation Plan organized around seven (7) core goals:
GOAL A: SUPPORT NEW AND EXISTING HOMEOWNERS
GOAL B: SUPPORT AND PROTECT EXISTING TENANTS
GOAL C: IMPROVE HOUSING QUALITY & SAFETY
GOAL D: PRESERVE EXISTING AFFORDABLE HOUSING
GOAL E: PRODUCE MORE HOUSING
GOAL F: PREVENT & REDUCE INCIDENCE OF HOMELESSNESS
GOAL G: CREATE NEW AFFORDABLE HOUSING FUNDING SOURCES
F. TENANT PROTECTIONS: (FROM MAY 7, 2024 EDHPM STANDING COMMITTEE REVIEW)
1. Just Cause Eviction Protections (3-G)
• California law AB1482 provides protection from steep rent increases and SB567 puts further requirements on no fault just cause evictions.
• City to explore adopting an ordinance codifying these protections under the San Pablo Municipal Code.
2. Awareness of Fair Housing Programs (3-H)
• Surveys indicate that San Pablo residents are largely unfamiliar with fair housing programs available to them.
• City to explore community education campaigns to raise awareness on state law and resources available.
3. Relocation Fund
• San Pablo Municipal Code 8.05.03 requires Owners to pay relocation benefits to displaced Tenants due to unsafe or hazardous living conditions. San Pablo Municipal Code 8.05.080 states that in the event the Owner fails, neglects or refuses to pay the displaced Tenant, the City may, within budget limitations, make payment of such relocation benefits and recover it from the Owner. • City to explore establishing a Tenant Relocation Fund for this purpose.
5. Temporary Housing Fund
• The City receives calls from residents that have been unhoused through no-fault of their own asking for temporary housing assistance.
• City to explore establishing a Temporary housing Relocation Fund to provide funding/temporary housing for qualified residents.
6. Landlord – Tenant Mediation Services
• The City receives calls for legal services for tenant disputes. • City to explore working with a non-profit legal services provider to help provide mediation for landlord and tenant conflicts and disputes.
• City to create a Tenant page on the City website to link tenant resources.
G. 2024 BAHFA BOND MEASURE: Support the Bay Area Housing Finance Authority (BAHFA) proposed $20M Bond Measure:
• The proposed Bay Area bond measure will provide funding for more affordable housing and help keep existing homes affordable on the November 2024 ballot.
• Continue to work with Contra Costa County directly for future allocation of $2B to implement programs and projects identified in the Housing Action Plan.
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