Title
Recommendation to Implement a Senior Rent Relief Program for Two Rental Units on the Mastick Senior Center Campus. (Recreation and Parks 10051431)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Jennifer Ott, City Manager
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Mastick Senior Center (Mastick) Senior Rent Relief Program (Program) is a new, voluntary program that seeks to prevent low-income seniors who are at risk of displacement from losing their homes. The Program allows residents to age in place by creating an opportunity to reduce their rent to an amount that is affordable and sustainable. The City of Alameda (City) has two apartments, managed by Mastick staff, that it currently rents to low income seniors. This Program allows these tenants, and future tenants, who are unable to pay market rate, the option to pay a monthly rate that is equivalent to the lesser of either market rate rent or 30% of their household income. The difference in what the City would receive under the Program compared to what the City currently receives, estimated to be $15,610, would likely be offset by opening the Thrift Shop, operated by volunteers, an additional day of the week. The units could continue to be rented at market rate or to seniors with Section 8 vouchers, based on income and eligibility.
BACKGROUND
The 2023 Alameda Community Needs Assessment found that 37% of households in the City face a significant housing burden, paying 30% or more of their income for housing. The study also found that older adults are more likely to fall below the Federal Poverty Threshold, with roughly nine percent (9%) of local adults 65 or older living below the Federal Poverty Threshold. Research conducted by the UCSF Benioff Homelessness and Housing Initiative and the Alameda County Home Together 2026 Community Plan indicate a rapidly increase of the unsheltered, elderly population. According to research conducted by UCSF, the fastest growing homeless population are individuals o...
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