Title
City Council Request that the Planning Board Review Affordable Housing Regulations Citywide
Body
BACKGROUND
On June 16, 2016, the City Council voted to direct staff and the Planning Board to consider revisions of Alameda's Inclusionary Housing requirements to:
* Increase the overall percentage of required affordable units as defined by the current Housing Element of Alameda's General Plan and State housing laws within residential developments; and
* Add a "work force housing" requirement in addition to the affordable housing requirement.
The City Council further asked that the recommendations from staff and the Planning Board:
* Not require an increase in the total number of units allowed by zoning; and
* Help Alameda meet its Regional Housing Need Allocation (RHNA) for affordable units.
DISCUSSION
The City Council's 2016 statement that due to, "the high home prices and rents in Alameda, low and even middle income households are in need of increased opportunities in new developments" reflects a long-standing policy objective of the Alameda City Council to increase affordable housing opportunities in Alameda that goes back at least 14 years:
* In 2003, the City Council adopted the Inclusionary Housing Ordinance which requires that each residential project include at least 15% of the units with deed restrictions ensuring affordability for very low-, low- and moderate-income households. Inclusionary housing ordinances are not required by the State of California to meet the City's RHNA obligations.
* In 2010, the City Council adopted the Density Bonus Ordinance, which grants density bonuses to project that provide affordable housing units that exceed the City's Inclusionary Housing Ordinance requirements. The Density Bonus Ordinance is required by State Law.
* In 2012, the City Council adopted a set of amendments to the General Plan Housing and Land Use Elements and Alameda Municipal Code and zoning regulations specifically designed t...
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