Title
Adoption of Resolution Authorizing Continued Participation of the City of Alameda in the Alameda County HOME Consortium for HOME Funds and Authorizing the Execution of the Necessary Documents to Maintain the Eligibility of the Consortium for HOME Program Funds in Accordance with the National Affordable Housing Act of 1990; and
Recommendation to Authorize the Interim City Manager, or Designee, to Execute an Agreement with Alameda County Housing and Community Development to Accept HOME Funds for Fiscal Year 2026-27. (Housing and Human Services 201)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Adam W. Politzer, Interim City Manager
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City of Alameda (City) receives HOME funds through its participation in the Alameda County HOME Consortium (Consortium). The purpose of the HOME program is to expand the supply of affordable housing for low- and moderate-income households. Alameda County Housing and Community Development (ACHCD) is the lead agency for the Consortium. The City's continued participation as a member of the Consortium must be approved by the City Council every three years and an Agreement will need to be executed between the City and the County of Alameda (County) to allow receipt of future funds. The partially executed Agreement is included as Exhibit 1.
BACKGROUND
Title II of the Cranston-Gonzales National Affordable Housing Act (NAHA) of 1990 created the HOME Program. The HOME Program provides financing for a wide range of affordable housing programs and activities that benefit low- and moderate-income households and special populations such as the elderly and persons with disabilities.
Based on current population levels, the City is not eligible to receive HOME funds directly from the federal government. Therefore, for the past 32 years, the City received funding from this Program through its participation in the Consortium. The City also executes an annual agreement designating the City as a sub-recipient of HOME funds within the approved three-year term of the Agreement. The City's continued participation as a member of the Consortium and related agreement with ACHCD requires approval from City Council.
DISCUSSION
The Consortium members include the County and seven incorporated cities in the County. (Oakland and Berkeley are large enough to receive HOME funds directly and are not included in the Consortium.) ACHCD is the lead agency for the Consortium. In this capacity, ACHCD submits applications and reports, coordinates preparation of the Consolidated Plan, maintains financial and program records, monitors compliance with HOME Program regulations, and staffs the Technical Advisory Committee.
To date, the City has received a total of approximately $9.6 million in HOME funds plus an additional $2.35 million of HOME American Rescue Plan Act funds. These funds may be used to support the following activities:
• Public and private entities to acquire, renovate or construct affordable housing units that have affordability restrictions for up to 55 years;
• First-time homebuyers through Down Payment Assistance programs; and
• Tenant-based rental assistance.
Affordable housing projects that previously funded by HOME include Rosefield Village, a multi-family housing property with 92 rental units and North Housing Permanent Supportive Housing (Estuary I), which opened September 2025 and provides 44 affordable housing units for low-income and formerly homeless individuals. Both projects are managed by the Alameda Housing Authority. The City also conditionally committed HOME funds to the second phase of the North Housing Project and 1247 McKay Avenue Senior Housing Project.
The Agreement extends the City's participation in the Consortium and sets ground rules for its administration and operation in federal Fiscal Years (FY) 2026-27 through 2028-29. In FY 2026-27, the City expects to receive approximately $185,000 for affordable housing development projects. An administrative fee is retained by the County before the City receives its annual HOME allocation. No additional funds are required to participate in the HOME Consortium.
ALTERNATIVES
• Staff recommends that City Council authorize the City of Alameda’s continued participation in the Alameda County Home Consortium and authorize execution of the sub-recipient agreement with Alameda County for HOME Program funds.
• City Council could decline to continue participating in the Alameda County HOME Consortium at this time. This will result in reduced funding for affordable housing projects and programs.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The funds for this program are budgeted annually in the HOME Fund (Fund 201). No local match is required to participate in the HOME Consortium.
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
Participation in the Alameda County HOME Consortium is consistent with the Housing Element of the General Plan and supports the City’s Strategic Plan project HH3 to further the preservation, rehabilitation, or construction of affordable housing in Alameda. This action is subject to the Levine Act.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
Participation in the Alameda County HOME Consortium is not considered a project pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b)(4), which states that the definition of "project" does not include the creation of government funding mechanisms or other government fiscal activities which do not involve any commitment to any specific project which may result in a potentially significant physical impact on the environment.
The execution of related agreements and final funding commitments are subject to satisfactory environmental clearance under 24 CFR Part 58.
CLIMATE IMPACT
There are no climate impacts from approving continued participation in the Alameda County HOME Consortium.
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt a resolution authorizing continued participation of the City of Alameda in the Alameda County HOME Consortium for HOME Funds and authorizing the Interim City Manager, or Designee, to execute the necessary documents to maintain the eligibility of the Consortium for HOME Program Funds in accordance with the National Affordable Housing Act of 1990; and Authorize the Interim City Manager, or Designee, to execute an agreement with Alameda County Housing and Community Development to accept HOME Funds for fiscal year 2026-27.
Respectfully submitted,
Amy Wooldridge, Assistant City Manager
By,
C’Mone Falls, Housing and Human Services Manager
Andre Fairley, Management Analyst
Financial Impact section reviewed,
Ross McCarthy, Finance Director
Exhibit:
1. Partially Executed Agreement