Benicia

Program 1.05

Work with Public Works Department (City's water and sewer provider) in order to ensure adequate services to accommodate the housing needs.

Ongoing.

Program 1.07

Provide pre-application technical assistance to affordable housing providers to determine project feasibility and address zoning compliance issues in the most cost-effective and expedition manner possible.

Ongoing, pre-application review of all development projects including those pertaining to housing is regularly provided and coordinated through the Planning Division staff.

Program 3.06

Provide social services in all City funded affordable housing projects.

There are currently no city-funded affordable housing projects; however, social services would be provided if such a project were to happen in the future.

Program 1.11

Investigate the feasibility of developing second unit prototype or model plans for homeowners to use.

This is currently being investigated.

Program 2.03

Maintain a housing trust fund for inclusionary housing in-lieu fees.

The housing trust fund has been established and its maintenance is ongoing.

Program 3.07

Facilitate the establishment of shared housing.

Ongoing; the City will continue to work with the development community to provide shared housing.

Program 1.04

Leverage financial resources and partner with the development community to assist first-time homebuyers with down payments. Apply for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding annually for this purpose.

This is an ongoing effort and the City will continue to seek CDBG funding as eligible.

Program 4.01

Expand the use of existing Housing Rehabilitation Loan Program.

Ongoing.

Program 4.02

Implement procedures applicable to inclusionary for sale units.

Ongoing; City staff continues to monitor inclusionary housing to maintain affordability. In addition, any development project which includes inclusionary housing is reviewed for such requirements.

Program 6.02

Implement the Home Efficiency Program and Solar Rebate program.

The City's Community Development Department applied for additional grant funding so that it could launch Phase II of the Residential Solar Rebate Program. In 2015, the Community Sustainability Commission awarded the Department $50,000. In November 2015, the City launched Phase II with the help of local solar contractors. MCE assists with promotion of the program. Two solar vendors, Solar City and Sun Power, have signed MOU's with the City to match rebates. The Benicia Home Efficiency Program (managed by WattzOn) ended in October 2016. The City also joined an additional four Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) programs and required that all program providers in the City (five total) sign a Collaborative Services Agreement, which clearly outlines the roles and responsibilities of providers including regular reporting to the City on outreach activities, total financing, and the number and type of home and business upgrade projects. Finally, the City continues to partner with the Solano County Water Agency to provide rebates for the Turf Replacement Program. The current rebate is $0.50 per square foot, up to $1500, for replacing grass with water-wise landscaping (SCWA rebate is $1/sf plus the $0.50 enhanced rebate from the CSC grant of $60,000 awarded in August 2015).

Program 1.02

Support the Benicia Housing Authority in their administration of the Section 8 housing voucher program.

This is an ongoing effort between the City and the Benicia Housing Authority whereby the City provides support when eligible.

Program 2.06

Monitor funding sources for the development of second- and third story residential units along First Street in downtown.

The City continues to monitor available funding sources and updates the contact information as necessary. This is an ongoing effort.

Program 2.07

Apply for financial assistance for projects in the Priority Development Areas.

The City had previously designated a Downtown PDA (Priority Development Area) that corresponds with the Downtown Mixed Use Master Plan Area. In 2020 the City also designated a PDA around the intersection of Military East and East Fifth, an area that corresponds to the current Eastern Gateway Planning Study area. The City applied for PDA funding in 2022. The City applied for and designated PLHA funds to the Housing Authority for ongoing maintenance and rehabilitation.

Program 4.06

Maintain a record of affordable housing units.

Ongoing. The City maintains a record of any units rehabilitated and made affordable or converted to affordable and reports this information as part of the annual report.

Program 5.02

Continue to provide brochures on universal design for the public.

Ongoing; the City will continue to provide brochures and consider writing development standards to encourage use of universal design in home design, such as the brochure completed in 2013.

Program 1.06

Provide information at City Hall, other public locations, and on the City's website (www.ci.benicia.ca.us) to promote private, State, and federal homebuyer assistance programs to the public.

Ongoing, the information available through the City directs inquiries to the Benicia Housing Authority.

Program 1.08

Continue to educate the public on affordable housing through annual reporting to the Planning Commission and City Council.

Ongoing, the Housing Element annual report and General Plan Annual Report are presented to the Planning Commission and City Council each year prior to submittal to state agencies by the April 1 deadline. Periodic updates are provided to the Planning Commission and City Council regarding changes to State housing law (ex: ADUs, SB35).

Program 1.13

Provide developer incentives such as expedited permit processing and fee deferrals for low-income units.

The Community Development Department and Economic Development Division work closely with the development community. This is an ongoing effort subject to the specifics of individual development proposals. The City does adhere to the state-specified permit review times for ADU's and qualifying multifamily projects. In addition, the City has established a streamlined review process under SB 35 to review qualifying affordable housing projects using a ministerial review process and complies with state law under SB 330. The City has established reduced impact fees for lower income units through its most recent nexus study. Permit processing for ADUs has been consolidated with the Building Permit plan check process to reduce timelines for overall permitting.

Program 3.01

Amend Zoning Ordinance to allow for emergency shelters by right.

This program was completed. A revision to the Zoning Ordinance was adopted in December 2014 to allow emergency shelters by right.

Program 2.02

Include SB375 in General Plan Update for high density near transit.

The City prepared a Climate Action Plan in 2009 which established the community's goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 10% below 2000 levels by year 2020. This program will be further implemented in the City's next General Plan update.