Antioch

2.3.1 Affordable Housing Program Inventory; Pursue Available Projects

Maximize access to governmental and private housing programs, and thereby facilitate achievement of other Housing Element objectives.

The City has worked with the County Health, Housing and Homeless Services division on adding 50 units of extremely-low and very-low income housing as part of the Homeless CARE Center development. City and County staff has been working to find potential sources of funding, including City Housing Successor and CDBG funds, County CDBG, HOME, ESG, and HOPWA funds, State HEAP, VHHP, MHP, Whole Person Care, Mental Health, Re-entry and other potential sources of funding for the entire project. (see detail in 2.3.2 below). In 2022, the COVID-19 pandamic continued to occupy staff at the County homeless program, and no progress was made on this project. However, the City met with two nonprofit housing developers and their service partners who are interesting in each constructing about 20 units of permanent supportive housing for persons who are homeless with disabilities. One is working on an initiative with a faith partner who has property, and the other already has a program running on a site with additional space to grow. They are currently seeking LIHTC and other funding.

4.1.3 Green Building Encouragement

Encourage green building practices in new and existing housing development and neighborhoods.

In addition to the efforts in 4.1.1, the City partnered with California Youth Energy Services to conduct 121 Green Home Site Visits at homes and apartments in Antioch over the summer of 2019, did outreach blitzes with PG&E to Antioch businesses on the East Bay Energy Watch program and participated as an outreach partner in the Sunshares program for discounted photovoltaic systems and electric vehicles. These efforts were suspended in 2020 & 2021 due to the restrictions imposed by the pandemic; however, they resumed in 2022 with staff working remotely to help households conduct their own self-assessment.

5.1.2 Residential Development Impact Fee Ordinances

Continually ensure provision of adequate public facilities and services to new and existing residential development.

The City Council adopted new development impact fees at a lower rate for qualified Senior Housing.

6.1.1 Cooperative Association (Fair Housing and Tenant/Landlord Counseling)

City assistance to eliminate housing discrimination within the community.

The City coordinates with all CDBG jurisdictions to jointly offer Fair Housing and Tenant/Landlord Counseling program services, provided by Echo Housing, throughout Contra Costa. Antioch also funds Bay Area Legal Aid, These contracts are funded by CDBG and operate on a fiscal year basis. In 2022, Antioch funded Fair Housing at $25k and Tenant/ Landlord services at $70k and $25k to BayLegal for additional T/L & FH services. The City also allocated $900k for tenant rental assistance. Most services have been delivered by telephone or Zoom meetings with clients. Fair Housing - The purpose of Fair Housing services is to end housing discrimination by providing discrimination investigations, counseling, mediation and advocacy, education and legal referrals, legal representation, and housing testing. Services included counseling on such issues as evictions, lockouts, mortgage foreclosure, repairs and habitability, security deposits, understanding lease terms, negotiating debt payment plans between landlords and tenants, and assisted tenants in public housing and those with Section 8 vouchers. In calendar year 2022, 94 Antioch residents received Fair Housing services. In addition, ECHO conducted testing at 12 apartment complexes in Antioch to assess for discrimination by race. Tenant/Landlord - The purpose of Tenant/Landlord housing service is to provide housing counseling and legal services to Antioch tenants and/or landlords to preserve their rights and responsibilities under federal, state, and local housing laws, and to prevent evictions. In 2022, 227 Antioch residents received such services.

5.1.3 Density Bonus Ordinance

Ensure that City density bonus provisions comply with State requirements.

The Zoning Ordinance was amended in 2014 to bring City into compliance with State law. Further modifications were made in 2020 to update the ordinance to mirror the State ordinance.

1.1.3 Community Education Regarding the Availability of Rehabilitation Programs

Through public education, the public’s ability to use programs will be enhanced and other specific quantified objectives will be easier to achieve.

Outreach increased significantly in 2022. The program was advertised on the City's and Habitat's website, and through social media. Habitat also continued to work its way through the backlog of people who had indicated interest in the funds before the COVID lockdown. By the end of the year, they had made considerable progress.

1.1.7 Condominium Conversion

Conservation of rental units currently being rented by lower income households and tenants with special needs.

No conversion took place in 2022.

1.1.8 Rental Inspection Program

Proactive identification and rehabilitation or elimination of blighted, deteriorated and substandard rental housing stock

Currently, the Code Enforcement division has nine officers who have or are receiving training and experience in investigating building and housing issues. They are responsible for addressing those violation types within their beat.

3.1.3 Incentives for Special Needs Housing (reasonable accommodation ordinance)

Continue to provide reasonable accommodations to encourage the development of specialized housing for persons with disabilities.

No reasonable accomodations were requested in 2022

5.1.4 Pre-Application Conferences (continue)

Minimize development review time and costs for new residential projects.

Preapplication conferences at no cost to the applicant continue to occur for all affordable and market rate housing projects.

1.1.10 Foreclosure Prevention

Foreclosure prevention

The City continues to post information on foreclosure prevention on its website, and to direct callers to Bay Legal and Echo Housing, as well as 211, for further assistance. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the City used CDBG-CV funding to provide both Eviction Prevention and Foreclosure Prevention services for the first time since the Recession of 2008. Services began January 2021 and contine to this year. Outreach was conducted in the census tract block groups with the highest number of residents with incomes from 0-30% AMI with two mailings to over 6,000 residents. Information was also posted in English and Spanish on the City's website, on social media (NextDoor, FaceBook and Instagram) and in the City Manager's newsletter, as well as announced at City Council meetings. Nonprofits serving lower income Antioch residents were also informed and given electronic outreach materials for their clients. Foreclosure Prevention was part of the full slate of services which included: rental, mortgage and utility assistance; legal assistance for residents; tenant/landlord counseling and mediation; and fair housing services.

2.1.4 Above Moderate-Income Housing

To facilitate the development of needed above moderate-income housing by reserving areas for such development.

The City Community Development Director and City Planners continue to meet with prospective developers, both for-profit and non-profit, market rate and affordable, as requested and at no cost to the developer. Meetings help educate developers on the City's development review and design review processes, City requirements and expectations, and help to save time and money for both the City and developers. Meetings with nonprofit developers also include strategizing about the availability of funding assistance. In 2022, staff met with potential developers including Brightsky Residential, and Grupe Co., Lennnar Group and DeNova Homes regarding potential multi-family developments.

2.4.1 Support Non-Profit Housing Sponsors

(Including providing funding, supporting grant applications, identifying available sites, & City involvement in development of sites) By supporting these entities in their efforts, increase the production of affordable housing to meet other objectives of the Housing Element.

As mentioned previously, the City worked with Satellite Affordable Housing Associates on the Tabora Gardens project, which completed construction on 85 units (84 + 1 manager unit) of affordable housing for extremely low- and low-income seniors, including homeless persons, homeless Veterans and Veterans. The City provided significant funding from multiple funding sources totaling $3,283,755, supported their TCAC application, conducted their TEFRA hearing, and worked closely with the County and their funding sources. Also see 2.3.1. narrative which details City efforts in developing the CARE Center site on City-owned property, including funding sources as well as two additional sites. In 2022, the City Housing Consultant continued discussions with Resources for Community Development (RCD), Mercy Housing, Satellite Affordable Housing Associates (SAHA), Hope Solutions and The Portia Bell Hume Center to discuss and encourage further affordable housing development in the City of Antioch.

3.1.4 Coordination with Agencies Serving the Homeless

Develop housing self-sufficiency for those who are currently homeless by working with appropriate agencies to implement housing and employment programs.

The City works very closely with the Contra Costa Homeless Continuum of Care body, called the Council on Homelessness. In 2022, the City's Housing consultant continued to serve on the Boards of the Council on Homelessness, Healthcare for the Homeless, and the FEMA/United Way EFSP local board, sat on the Review and Ranking Committee for the CoC funding as well as for ESG and Emergency Food and Shelter (EFSP) Grants Committee, and participated in the Equity taskforce. She also is a member of and actively participated in the All Home Regional Impact Council as a member of the Steering and Technical Committees. The City activly participates in all efforts to develop housing and services for persons who are homeless, is an active participant in the County's Zero: 2016 campaign strategy to end Veteran and Chronic Homelessness, and works closely with the Housing Authority of Contra Costa and Veteran Administration in Martinez. The City hosts the County's only homeless shelter for disabled homeless persons, continues to work with the County to place a CARE Center in Antioch, and is working to develop the five-acre land the City sold to the County to build homeless housing with services.

1.1.2 Neighborhood Preservation Program (zero and low-interest loans to low and moderate income households for housing rehabilitation)

Adequate assistance to provide loans to 3-4 homeowners per year (CDBG)

After contracting with Contra Costa County for over 20 years to administer the Neighborhood Preservation Program, the City found a new provider when the County discontinued this service. Habitat for Humanity East Bay/Silicon Valley is the new provider for the program, which began to rehabilite homes in FY 2021. The Housing Rehabilitation Program provides housing rehabilitation loans and grants to low- and moderate-income homeowners to bring their homes up to code, to ensure health and safety code standards are met, to meet emergency repair needs, and provide handicap access. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, people (usually seniors) were very reluctant to let workers into their homes and the program stalled. Only one emergency grant was made during the year. In 2022, the Housing Rehabilitation Program slowly started to increase activity, emerging from the pandemic amidst supply chain issues, a shortage of contractors, and increased cost of construction materials and supplies. Although there was only 1 grant bestowed during 2021, there were 10 grants and 1 loan completed in FY 2021-22, for a total of $204,764 distributed.

3.1.1 Housing Opportunities for Special Needs Groups

Maximize opportunities to address the housing needs of special needs groups within the City, as identified in Section 3 of this Housing Element.

AMCAL received entitlement in 2019 and in 2020 began construction of 394 affordable apartments for seniors and families. Construction of the projectwas completed in 2022 . Age-restricted units will compromise 177 units, including 38 units @ 30%, 28 units at 40%, 14 units @ 50%, and 19 @ 60% AMI level (proposed in application). Project will meet standards for accessibility and accommodation for hearing impaired individuals, and the senior buildings will have elevators. CARE Center - The Homeless Care Center site, discussed in detail in 2.3.1. would potentially add between 30-50 units of affordable rental housing for persons with incomes 0-30% who are experiencing homelessness, including veterans, persons with HIV/AIDS, persons with mental illness, and persons with disabilities.

3.1.5 Emergency Shelters and Supportive and Transitional Housing

Compliance with SB 2

The City is in compliance with SB 2, having designated sites for homeless emergency shelters. In 2017, discussions continued with a nonprofit interested in establishing a 50-bed homeless shelter for women and children. In 2016, at City expense, the emergency shelter overlay was changed to include an additional parcel, owned by the City, to possibly become the site of the shelter. In 2020, the City transferred the parcel to the County for development of the homeless shelter and studio apartments/micro units for homeless individuals. Work on this project at the County level waned due to the intensive response required by the County homeless staff to the Covid 19 pandemic. In 2022 the City Council adopted an ordinance to amend the zoning code to create a transitional housing overlay district. The council also placed the overlay on a hotel site at 515 E. 18th Street and is partnering with the owner of the property to establish it as a site for transitional housing.

4.1.1 Encourage Energy Conservation

Minimize costs of space heating and cooling in new and existing dwelling units.

Energy conservation for existing housing and neighborhoods is encouraged and supported in a variety of ways: - Condition of Approval - Energy conservation is incorporated into the standard condition of approval for new developments. - In 2022 the city continued to partner with the County and the cities of San Pablo and Walnut Creek to launch www.cleanercontracosta.org. This web-platform provides resources to residents that are offered for their address. It allows for residents to easily find energy efficiency tools and rebates for their homes. - The city continues to promote The programs available through BayREN and EnergyUpgrade California. - Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) - Financing Legislation passed by the State of California, and approved by the City in 2015 now enables Antioch property owners to finance a wide range of energy and water efficiency upgrades by attaching PACE financing to their property tax bill. Upgrades such as solar installations, attic insulation, energy efficient windows, water-on-demand water heaters, grey water systems, and more are covered. Financing defers upfront costs, lowers energy bills, and allows homeowners easy financing with their property tax bill. - The City promotes PACE programs and all other energy efficiency and solar programs on the City website, through social media and on our local access channel.

2.1.2 Adequate Sites for Housing; No Net Loss

Prevention of net loss of housing sites and capacity for extremely low, very low, low, and moderate income housing.

No sites were downzoned in 2022.

1.1.5 Code Enforcement

Elimination of code violations within Antioch

A 1/2 cent sales tax was passed by City voters in 2014 and in 2018 the tax was increased to 1 cent (1%). This allowed the City to have sufficient operating revenues to fund Code Enforcement without CDBG funds. For Calendar year 2022, Code Enforcement officers received 7,227 calls for service, resulting in 2,685 new cases being created for Code Enforcement officers to investigate. During 2022, officers closed 2,566 cases. In 2022, the Code Enforcement Division continued participating in the Mattress Recycling Council (MRC) program operated by the State of California’s Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (Cal Recycle). In 2022, nearly 938 mattresses were reported to MRC/CalRecycle resulting in nearly $14,000 back to the city in reimbursements. During 2022, the Code Enforcement Division continued the neighborhood cleanup events to assist residents with debris removal. The City of Antioch and Republic Services partnered together to host cleanup events so that residents have a no-cost way to legally dispose of unwanted items. During 2022, 16 cleanup events were held in various neighborhoods resulting in over 226 tons of debris removed from private properties and disposed of in a lawful manner.