Emeryville

H-2-1-1

Continue to offer a density bonus for developments that include affordable units, and consider offering additional regulatory incentives such as free or reduced-cost pre-application meetings, study sessions, and/or expedited application review and permit processing.

Section 9-4.204(d) of the Planning Regulations states that "No fewer than half of the bonus points required for the project... shall be earned through the provision of affordable housing." The Planning Commission held Study Sessions on two developments with a residential component in 2022 (5850 Shellmound Way and 5801-5861 Christie Avenue), that sought density bonuses. 5850 Shellmound Way mixed-use project with 100% affordable housing is requesting a density bonus on FAR and Height. In order to receive the density bonus, they have proposed providing additional public open space, doubling the amount of the Affordable Housing Impact Fee and increasing the percentage of family friendly units. 5801-5861 Christie Avenue mixed use project is requesting a density bonus on FAR and Height. In order to receive the density bonus they have proposed increasing the percent of affordable units, providing additional public open space, and doubling the amount of the Affordable Housing Impact Fee.

H-2-2-3

Where feasible and appropriate, consider a reduction in the inclusionary percentage requirement on development projects subject to the City’s Affordable Housing Program (formerly known as the Affordable Housing Set Aside Ordinance) to support the inclusion of units at a deeper affordability level.

No activity occurred in 2022.

H-2-2-6

Continue to support regional and statewide efforts to establish new sources of funding for affordable housing.

The City Council authorized staff in August 2022 to apply for a Pro-Housing Designation application that would provide priority processing or fnding points for several State Funding programs. Additionally, the City submitted an application for Regional Early Action Planning Grants of 2021 (REAP 2.0) for housing and transportation related project in December 2022.

H-3-1-2

Support the development of Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly (RCFE) and independent senior housing developments, where appropriate, particularly senior facilities that offer housing affordable to lower-income senior households.

No activity occurred in 2022.

H-6-3-1

Continue to implement the City’s Foreclosure Prevention and Predatory Lending Prevention Strategy through education and outreach, referrals, and technical assistance.

Alameda County released the Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program, in conjunction with Housing & Economic Rights Advocates (HERA) in May 2022 where homeowners can receive a grant up to $30,000 and legal assistance if they have received a delinquency notice on their mortgage, experienced a job loss or loss of income due to COVID-19 and are low to moderate income homeowners residing in one of the eligible jurisdictions (Albany, Dublin, Emeryville, Piedmont, Newark and Unincorporated Alameda County). Workshops on the program were held on June 22 and August 12, 2022 in English and August 31 in Spanish. As of November 2022, one (1) application in Emeryville was pending.

H-1-1-2

Continue existing marketing and establish new marketing efforts for the Housing Rehabilitation Program. Provide current program information on the City’s website and develop a program brochure. Update the brochure annually, or as needed, and make copies available at City Hall, the Senior Center, and other appropriate locations.

Information on the housing rehabilitation programs in maintained and updated to the City's Website on the Rehabilitation Programs webpage (https://www.ci.emeryville.ca.us/266/Rehabilitation-Programs).

H-2-1-2

Continue to implement the Affordable Housing Program (formerly known as the Affordable Housing Set-Aside Ordinance) to require the inclusion of below-market-rate units in residential projects.

The Planning Commission held Study Sessions on three developments with a residential component in 2022 (5850 Shellmound Way, 5801-5861 Christie Avenue and 4300 San Pablo Avenue), in which how the developers were going to comply with the Affordable Housing Program were discussed. 4300 San Pablo Avenue was approved as a 100% affordable housing project with all units set-aside for households between 20% AMI and 60% AMI. 5850 Shellmound Way mixed-use project is proposed to includes a 100% affordable housing component, with the income targeting still to be determined. 5801-5861 Christie Avenue mixed use project is proposed to have 3.9% of units set-aside for very low income, 5.9% of units set-aside for low income, and 7.2% of units set-aside for moderate income, for a total of 17% affordable housing units, which complies with the Affordable Housing Program.

H-3-2-4

Facilitate communication and coordination between the City, the Emery Unified School District, and service providers when families are identified to be at risk of homelessness. Collaborate to provide these families with information regarding local resources and potential housing opportunities.

EUSD has a working relationship with the staff members in the housing department, where they are in regular communication to ensure that those looking for services are able to find them.

H-4-2-3

Advertise the availability of below-market-rate units (BMRs) to teachers in the Emery Unified School District, City employees, and employees of the Emeryville Child Development Center.

Notification of the availability to purchase two BMR units was sent out to Emery Unified School District in November 2022.

H-4-2-5

Encourage the development of affordable live/work space for artists and craftspeople.

No activity occurred in 2022.

H-1-2-2

Retain and continue to implement the Residential Preservation Ordinance, which requires City Council approval for demolition of residential structures.

No activity occurred in 2022.

H-2-2-4

Continue to offer down payment assistance through the City’s First-Time Homebuyer Program and Ownership Assistance Program to improve homeownership opportunities for low- and moderate-income households.

No activity in the First Time Homebuyer Program occurred in 2022. The City did advertise a First Timie Homebuyer Workshop to it Housing mailserve in June 2022 that was viewed by over 2,600 subscribers.

H-5-1-1

Through participation in the Alameda County Urban County Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Entitlement jurisdiction, continue to contract with a HUD-approved fair housing counseling organization on an annual basis to provide fair housing counseling services, tenant-landlord mediation, public education, and legal referrals for Emeryville low-income tenants and landlords.

ECHO Housing is under contract with Alameda County through the use of CDBG funds to provide Fair Housing through-out the County (including Emeryville). ECHO provides Fair Housing services to 22 people in Emeryville in 2022. Additionally, the City utilizes local funds to contract with ECHO Housing to provide oversight of the Emeryville Tenant-Landlord Relations Ordinance (i.e. Just Cause and Harassment). ECHO provided services to 24 people under the City's Tenant-Landlord Relations Ordinance. The City also contract with East Bay Community Law Center (EBCLC) to provide housing related legal services for low income tenants. EBCLC conducted intake on 14 people in 2022 and had 6 clients participate in the Tenants Rights Legal Workshop.

H-6-1-2

Continue to evaluate City-controlled sites for potential redevelopment as affordable family-friendly housing, specifically designed to attract families with children. As opportunities are identified, partner with qualified affordable housing developers to provide site design, construction, and management.

The City released a RFQ/P in for the redevelopment of 5890, 5900 and 6150 Christie Avenue (i.e. Christie Avenue Sites) in June 2022. The RFQ/P was seeking a qualified development team composed of an architect, structural engineer and developer to 1) maximize the number of housing units, 2) maximize the number of affordable housing units on site that target a range of income levels, 3) develop family friendly housing units including three and four bedroom units and amenities for people of all ages, 4) develop an energy efficient development, 5) expand Christie Avenue Park, 6) connect the development to Marketplace and existing/planned pedestrian and bike routes, and 7) include a sustainable commercial or non-profit transportation ancillary retail use. The City received proposals from six (6) development teams and City Council selected a 1st and 2nd place development team in November 2022.

H-6-2-2

Provide education and technical assistance to condominium homeowners associations (HOAs) to encourage owner occupancy and ensure projects achieve or maintain eligibility for Federal Housing Association (FHA) insured loans.

No activity in 2022.

H-7-1-1

Continue to offer low-interest loans or grants through the Assessment Loan and Clean-Up Loan programs to provide financial, technical, and regulatory assistance to property owners and developers seeking to assess and remediate housing development sites.

In 2022 the City and US EPA revised the closeout agreement for $2.4 million in brownfield assistance including allowing additional predevelopment activities to be allowed to be funded. Staff confirmed eligibility for the housing site known as the “Christie Properties” and in 2023 site eligibility for Site B, Adeline Properties both potential housing sites. Funding to Christie properties is expected in 2023 or 2024

H-7-2-5

Encourage new residential development projects to include features and materials that help to prevent stormwater intrusion.

Staff provided feedback to developers during the application review process on three (3) development projects with a residential components (5850 Shellmound Way, 5801-5861 Christie Avenue and 4300 San Pablo Avenue). Developers were encouraged to include features and material to prevent stormwater intrusion and are required to provide a stormwater management plan.

H-3-1-3

Continue to offer a density bonus for developments that provide universal design features. Evaluate the feasibility and appropriateness of amending the Planning Regulations to require the provision of universal design features in a portion of residential units in new developments.

Planning Regulation were updated in 2017 to add Universal Design to the Community Benefit Category for Density Bonuses. No applications were submitted in 2022 seeking a Density Bonus through the utilization of Universal Design as a Community Benefit.

H-3-2-1

Continue to support the countywide effort to prevent and end homelessness through strategies described in the “EveryOne Home – Alameda Countywide Homeless and Special Needs Housing Plan.” Monitor the plan’s progress through City participation in collaborative groups including EveryOne Home working committees, the Alameda County Urban County Technical Advisory Committee, and the Alameda County HOME Consortium technical Advisory Committee.

The city continues to contract with Operation Dignity to provide outreach to those who are homeless in the city, continue to support the Everyone Home Plan, and contract with St. Vicente De Paul to provide shelter beds. The City also has a partnership with the Berkeley Food and Housing Shelter and Dwight Way Shelter to provide additional shelter beds for individuals experiencing homelessness in Emeryville.

H-4-1-1

Maintain an inventory of sites available and appropriate for residential development for households of all income levels to ensure adequate sites are available through the planning period to meet the City’s Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA).

The City will continue to maintain an inventory of sites available and appropriate for residential development for households of all income levels.