Policy 2.3.3 Strategies for Affordable Housing and the Use of Housing Mitigation Fees
POLICY PURPOSE:
The
Housing and Community Revitalization Sub- Element of the General Plan sets housing policy for the City. However, the City’s ability to accomplish all its goals is limited by both financial and land availability constraints. As Federal and other sources of funding diminish, it is important to develop a long -term strategy for the effective use of limited funds.
The
purpose of this policy is to outline a strategy for housing programs for those households with incomes between 30- 120% of median and housing for the homeless to meet the goals of the Housing and Community Revitalization Sub- Element. The strategy includes all funding sources available to the Ci ty for housing, including uses for the Housing Mitigation Fees.
POLICY STATEMENT:
It is
the policy of the City to:
1. Us
e the Housing Mitigation Fees for an initial Downpayment Assistance Program, provision of loans or seed money to non- profit developers, projects for the homeless, and assistance for Sunnyvale municipal employees and school district employees serving Sunnyvale schools (including Homestead High).to the extent a majority of the employee’s effort continues to benefit Sunnyvale students
2. Utiliz
e some available funds such as the Housing Mitigation Fees to assist in the construction of new single room occupancy (SRO) projects or the maintenance of existing SRO hotels, if the opportunity becomes available. SRO’s are a needed form of transit ional and permanent housing and would be an important contribution to Sunnyvale’s housing stock.
3. Se
t aside a maximum of $50,000 from the Housing Mitigation Fund to contribute to a modular housing demonstration project if it appears to be a feasible project.
4. Bu
dget for the Rental Rehabilitation Program from Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds while they exist and in the Ten- Year Plan in the future.
5. A
ugment diminishing CDBG funds for outside groups through the General Fund.
6. C
ontinue the Single Family Rehab Program with CDBG money, repayments from loans and any shortfall should come from the General Fund as anticipated in the Ten-Year Plan.
Attachment 3
7. Join lobbying efforts to insure the continuance of the Federal Section 8 rental subsidy program.
8. Encourage private/non- profit partnerships on City -owned sites available for housing development so that part of the site may be developed for low to moderate income housing.
(Adopted: RTC 89-356 (9/12/89); Amended: RTC 01- 220 (6/19/2001); (Clerical/clarity update, Policy Update Project 7/2005))
Lead Department: Community Development
Attachment 3