Concord

H-2.2.4

Promote a Jobs/Housing Balance by implementing General Plan Land Use and Growth Management policies to achieve a balance between jobs & housing to achieve a higher quality of life for current & future Concord residents.

Staff implements the Economic Vitality Element of the General Plan by promoting a strong regional center and vibrant city center through downtown events. Provide housing opportunities for persons employed in local and nearby jobs. In November 2017, the City Council provided direction to Housing Division staff to utilize $14 million in affordable housing funds to incentivize the construction or rehabilitation of affordable housing units, giving priority to those projects that also provide housing for Concord's workforce (i.e. teachers). As part of the City's Inclusionary Housing Program preference is given to households that live or work in Concord. In 2022, one BMR homeownership unit in the new 17-unit Villas at Walter's Place subdivision and three BMRs in the Walnut Grove subdivision received their entitlement. In 2022, the City also engaged its affordable housing development community to locate market-rate multifamily complexes for conversion to affordable housing by utilizing City funds, including in areas with high walk to work scores.

H-3.6.2

Facilitate the rehabilitation of large units by giving priority to developments with large units that are deteriorated or at risk of being lost from the City's housing stock.

The City works with Affordable Housing Developers to identify opportunities acquisition/rehab. projects and will continue to offer a multi-family rehabilitation program. In November 2017, the City Council provided direction to Housing Division staff to utilize $14 million in affordable housing funds to incentivize the construction or rehabilitation of affordable housing units. In 2018, Resources for Community Development was awarded $5.5 million in City funds for their 44 unit project that will serve extremely low- and low-income households. In May 2019, the City awarded an additional $2.3 million to expand the project to a total of 62 income-restricted units. In 2022, the City held a TEFRA hearing and approved the release of municipal bonds for The Lakes Apartments, a 102 unit market-rate and multi-family complex to convert to affordable housing using State bonds.

H-1.4.3

Review the development code as it relates to secondary units and consider amendments to make the development of secondary units more feasible.

In 2021, the City adopted a new ADU ordinance with more permissive standards than State law.

H-1.5.10

Examine opportunities to develop public/private partnerships with experienced partners to create affordable housing through the City's provision of land, incentives, or partial funding.

In 2017, the Virginia Lane rehabilitation project was completed with financial support from the Successor Agency. The Argent project was also approved in June 2017 with 20 Very Low- Income units. Additionally, in late 2017, the City initiated discussions with BART about constructing an affordable transit-oriented development on BART property. In 2018, Resources for Community Development was awarded $5.5 million in City funds for their 44 unit project that will serve extremely low- and low-income households. In May 2019, the City awarded an additional $2.3 million to expand the project to a total of 62 income-restricted units. The City approved RCD's building permits in 2022, allowing this project to break ground in Decemeber 2022. The City held TEFRA hearings and approved the release of municipal bonds for the following deed-restricted affordable units: The Lakes Apartments (77 market-rate units converted to affordable housing) and Blue Oak Square (formally The Argent) (179 affordable units). The City also entitled one BMR homeownership unit at the 17-unit Villas at Walter’s Place subdivision and three BMR homeownership units in the Walnut Grove Subdivision Amendment. The City also participated in several on-going discussions with for profit and nonprofit housing developers alike who are interested in developing affordable housing on specific Concord parcels. In 2022, the City began its process to update its Affordable Housing Ordinance, including its Inclusionary Housing Ordinnace to better allow for the construction of affordable multi-family rental and homeownership units.

H-1.6.4

Allow the use of the City's CDBG funds for the setting up of mobile home foundations, the paving of carports, accessibility modifications & other construction assistance in mobile home park areas.

A significant reduction in funding (Loss of Redevelopment) has limited the program. CDBG funding is now solely used. The type of mobile home grants is dependent on the need in any given year, see H-1.6.4.

H-1.7.2

Implement the condominium conversion ordinance to limit the number of rental housing stock converted into condominiums each year.

Planning Division has prepared a tracking matrix to monitor. No condo conversions occurred in 2022.

H-2.1.2

Continue to establish price and rent restriction agreements through acquisition, financial assistance, or other means with property owners.

Throughout 2022, the City continued to have ongoing discussions with developers in regards to constructing affordable housing in Concord. See affordable housing approvals in 2022 under Program H-1.5.1.

H-3.2.5

Provide information & related resources to the public, including persons with disabilities, to raise awareness regarding accessibility issues.

Accessibility requirements are provided through the City's Permit Center to assist developers and contractors.

H-1.4.5

Work with property owners with illegal secondary units to bring them into compliance with the building and development codes. This will be done on an individual basis, in response to owners' request for assistance.

Occurs through Code Enforcement Division, as red-tags occur through the City's Building Division in conformance with State law.

H-1.5.7

Promote the development of affordable housing in all areas designated by the General Plan for multi-family residential development through continued implementation of the Affordable Housing Incentive Program.

Completed 2018- The Development Code (2012) contains new provisions in the Affordable Housing Section including an Affordable Housing Incentive Program. In 2021, the RMG Affordable Housing Project was approved under this program, with 30 deed-restricted affordable units.

H-1.6.2

Require compliance with the City's Mobile Home Conversion Ordinance, as adopted or amended to comply with State Law to address impacts associated with the closure or conversion of existing mobile home parks to other uses.

There are no current applications related to mobile home closure or conversion. However, projects proposing mobile home closure or conversion will be processed according to City ordinance.

H-1.8.1

Encourage the production of ownership & rental housing in Downtown that is attractive & affordable to moderate & above-moderate income households.

Ongoing and Completion of Development Code July 2012; Downtown Plan completed June 2014. The City promotes infill development to increase densities in Downtown. The Development Code provides incentives that will create opportunities for affordable housing. The City has received greater interest for rental housing in the downtown. In 2022, construction of the south building (89 units) of The Grant apartments, was completed. Site development and grading permits were issued, and these activities began, for the RMG project with 45 units for above-moderate income households.

H-2.1.4

Continue to monitor the conditions of housing stock through ongoing housing inspections and enforce housing codes and standards to ensure that the existing housing stock is not diminished in quantitative or qualitative terms.

Effective in 2017, the City's multi-family affordable inventory is now inspected once every two years by the Building Division. Application for self certification is provided as an option to property managers.

H-3.1.2

Encourage senior housing developments to be located in areas that are convenient to shopping & other services, including public transit services, and/or to provide transit services for their residents.

The Downtown Specific Plan, adopted in June 2014, provides strategies to increase housing for a range of incomes within proximity to BART. City's most recent senior complex is Oakmont Assisted Living (76 units) on Civic Court, with transit provided.

H-3.2.1

Facilitate the development of accessible housing by providing financial assistance, regulatory incentives and priority permit processing for housing developments that make at least 15% or more of the total units accessible to persons with disabilities through appropriate design and amenities.

City will negotiate with developers providing 15% disabled units on a case-by-case basis, to provide a combination of incentives, consistent with State Density Bonus Law and the City's Development Code.

H-1.5.4

Promote new affordable residential development projects near employment centers, personal services, retail clusters, & key transportation corridors & nodes.

The Masonic Temple site parcels were consolidated, the Oak Street site parcels were consolidated and the Pine Street site parcels were consolidated. Together these would accommodate at least 150 units, based on current zoning. In addition, Masonic Temple was moved from site (June 2013), so site is now vacant. Long Range Property Management Plan approved by State Department of Finance in December 2015. In 2017, the City approved 20 Very Low income units as part of the Argent development. In 2019, the City approved a new 62-unit (61 of which would be income-restricted) affordable housing development in the Downtown Concord Specific Plan area as part of the Galindo Terrace project. See affordable housing approvals in 2022 under Program H-1.5.1. See discussion of pre-approved ADU plans under Program H-1.4. In 2022, the City also participated in several on-going discussions with affordable housing developers who are interested in developing specific Concord parcels.

H-1.6.3

Provide low-interest loans or grants to qualifying households to support the rehabilitation of mobile home units in the City.

In 2022, 20 single-family and mobile homes were rehabilitated for low-income homeowners through the City's Housing Rehabilitation Loan and Grant Program.

H-1.9.3

Continue to streamline the processing of building permits for residential developments that include a portion of units as below-market rental rate (BMR) units.

The City streamlines the processing of building permits via outside contract services so as not to impact processing times due to reduction in staff on an as-needed basis. The Affordable Housing section of the Development Code includes streamlined processing.

H-1.9.4

Continue to support legislation that requires special districts to reduce their fees for affordable housing projects.

The City will continue to support legislation that requires special districts to reduce fees for affordable housing projects.

H-3.1.3

Require all housing developments designated for seniors to be handicapped accessible, with such features provided at the time of construction as a standard feature rather than as an optional feature available for an additional charge.

Housing projects are reviewed by Building Division for accessibility.