Housing policies and programs are the strategies and laws that cities and counties legally have at their disposal to produce more and preserve existing affordable housing, as well as protect existing residents from getting displaced from their homes and communities.
Local housing policies and programs, as part of a housing element, have significant impacts on a city or county reaching its affordable housing goals. Each additional housing policy has a significant impact on the residents who are most in need of affordable housing. However, the number of policies or programs that a jurisdiction includes in their housing element is not meant to imply how well a city or county is addressing local housing needs since the quality and impact of each will need to be determined as well. Policies and programs listed here from jurisdictions’ Housing Elements are intended to allow readers to review the text themselves and see if a city or county is doing all they can to reach their affordable housing goals.
To further policy innovation and local action, the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) contacted all of the region's jurisdictions to track the adoption of key housing policies throughout the nine county Bay Area in four major categories Protect, Preserve, Produce, and Prevent. This data is from ABAG’s Policies and Program list and was last updated in 2018/2019.
The California Department of Housing and Community Development tracks all of the ongoing and completed programs from 2018 onward and can be seen in the table below.
YEAR | PROGRAM NAME | PROGRAM OBJECTIVE | STATUS | ACCOMPLISHED DATE | HOUSING CYCLE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Fair Housing Counseling | The City shall continue to provide funds to and contract with a non-profit agency to provide fair housing assistance including landlord/tenant counseling, homebuyer assistance, and improvement or removal of identified impediments. The City shall disseminate information about fair housing assistance through pamphlets in City-owned buildings and other public locations (e.g., City Hall, Library, post office, other community facilities) and by posting information on the City website. | The City funds fair housing counseling services through its Housing Trust/PLHA Fund program. It also publishes the availability of both tenant/landlord counseling and fair housing services via its website. | On-going | 5th cycle, 2013 to 2022 |
| 2022 | Code Enforcement Program | To ensure continued maintenance of housing quality, condition, and use, the City shall continue to enforce building codes to address existing exterior and interior code violations. Within current staffing limits, the City shall contact owners of units identified as substandard, offering inspection services and providing information on the City’s Rehabilitation Loan Program and landlord/tenant information and mediation services. | The City continues to enforce building codes to address code violations. Code enforcement officers work with owners of units identified as substandard, offering inspection services and providing information on the City’s programs and services.
. | On-going | 5th cycle, 2013 to 2022 |
| 2022 | Monitoring of Units At-Risk of Converting to Market Rate | The City shall provide for regular monitoring of deed-restricted units that have the potential of converting to market rate. In order to proactively address units at-risk of conversion, the City shall develop a program to partner with non-profit housing providers and develop a preservation strategy. This strategy will at least include biennial contact with property owners of affordable units, identification of funds to purchase and preserve affordable units, noticing of tenants and technical assistance with applications for funds. | To date, no known multi-family affordable housing units have converted to market rate or are at-risk of conversion. Many of the complexes have undergone significant rehabilitation to update and prolong the longevity of the units. The city has contracted with HouseKeys to serve as Program Administrator of the city's BMR home ownership and rental property program including contacting homeowners and property managers to evaluate compliance. HouseKeys will continue to evaluate the city's current multi-family affordable housing stock to determine if any developments are at-risk of conversion. | On-going | 5th cycle, 2013 to 2022 |
| 2022 | Rent and Income Restrictions on Rental Below-Market Rate Units | The City shall continue to implement rent and income restrictions on rental Below Market Rate (BMR) units to ensure that affordable units provided through public assistance or public action are retained for 30 years or more as affordable housing stock. | The City has contracted with HouseKeys to serve as Program Administrator of the city's BMR home ownership and rental property program to help ensure that the homeowners and property owners are complying with affordable housing requirements. | On-going | 5th cycle, 2013 to 2022 |
| 2022 | Collaboration with Development Community | The City shall continue to establish relationships with and provide technical assistance to both for-profit and non-profit development companies working in the area of affordable housing, facilitating innovative partnerships and collaborative approaches to affordable housing development. The City will especially utilize the Housing Advisory Committee to address housing issues and provide outreach to the development community. | The City continues to establish collaborative relationships with for-profit and non-profit development companies to find innovative approaches to affordable housing development in Gilroy. The City continues to establish collaborative relationships with for-profit and non-profit development companies to find innovative approaches to affordable housing development in Gilroy. While the Housing Advisory Committee was consolidated with the Planning Commission, the City still actively addresses housing issues and provide outreach to the development community. | On-going | 5th cycle, 2013 to 2022 |
| 2022 | Support Homeless Services Providers | The City shall continue to support the efforts of agencies providing emergency shelter for homeless residents, including providing funding when feasible and appropriate. | The City provides funding to homeless service providers through both its CDBG and HTF/PLHA programs. Services include referrals to the Santa Clara County Continuum of Care program, case management, homelessness prevention and provision of basic need items. The City hosts monthly meetings with unhoused service providers. The goal of Unhoused Service Providers Network is to increase collaboration and partnership among the service providers and the City of Gilroy to connect the unhoused with services. | On-going | 5th cycle, 2013 to 2022 |
| 2022 | Home Access Grants | The City shall continue to administer the Home Access Program to provide very low-income disabled residents with help in safely entering and exiting their homes and accessing essential areas within their homes. | This program was eliminated from the consolidated plan. The City continues to look at programs that can help its very-low income disabled residents, including the Home Access Program. | On-going | 5th cycle, 2013 to 2022 |
| 2022 | Housing Rehabilitation | To enhance the quality of existing neighborhoods, the City shall continue to implement the City’s Housing Rehabilitation Program. The City will continue using Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds to assist in the improvement of substandard housing. | The City currently funds a housing rehabilitation program that provides accessibility improvements to very low income households. The City has provided a grant to Rebuilding Together Silicon Valley to operate and expand the Home Repair, Rehabilitation and Accessibility Modification program in Gilroy. This program will provide a wide range of home repair, accessibility, mobility and limited rehabilitation improvements for low income homeowners. | On-going | 5th cycle, 2013 to 2022 |
| 2022 | Interagency Collaboration for Lower Cost Housing | The City shall continue participation in Countywide housing assistance programs, and collaborate with other public agencies and non-profit housing sponsors in the use of available programs to provide lower-cost housing in Gilroy. | Abode Services provides a direct subsidy to one individual at the Cherry Blossom Apartments, owned by the City, through a partnership with the City and Community Solutions. The City also facilitates TEFRA hearings, as needed, to allow for the development and rehabilitation of affordable housing units throughout the City. | On-going | 5th cycle, 2013 to 2022 |
| 2022 | Housing for Large Families | The City shall review and revise the Zoning Code, as appropriate, to incorporate appropriate regulatory incentives, and other policies that encourage the development of rental housing units with three or more bedrooms to accommodate the needs of large families. The City shall encourage and support the development of rental housing for large families within future affordable housing projects through various strategies and programs that may include: assistance with site identification and entitlement processing; and modifying development standards and granting concessions and incentives. | Not completed. The 2023 – 2031 Housing Element includes a program to develop incentives to encourage the development of housing to accommodate the needs of large families in Gilroy. | Review and amend Zoning Code, as appropriate, following adoption of the 2040 General Plan. | 5th cycle, 2013 to 2022 |
| 2022 | Variety of Housing in Neighborhood Districts | The City shall review and revise, as appropriate, the Neighborhood District Policy to ensure that it encourages the development of housing that is affordable to a variety of income groups by comparing its features with the Residential Development Ordinance and making any changes to ensure the two policies are compatible and designed to reach the same goals. | The Residential Development Ordinance is no longer in effect. The 2040 General Plan includes a new higher density Neighborhood District designation, allowing a greater range of housing types from single family detached dwellings (0-7 du/ac) to higher density multi-family dwellings (16-30du/ac). | Following adoption of the 2040 General Plan | 5th cycle, 2013 to 2022 |
| 2022 | Study Micro-Units | The City shall conduct a study of the appropriateness of “micro-units” in Gilroy and the existing barriers in the Zoning Ordinance to the provision of micro-units. Based on the findings of the study, the City will make a determination of the appropriateness of micro-units in Gilroy and, if determined appropriate, identify methods for eliminating barriers, and establish appropriate development standards. | Not completed. The City will include a definition for and regulatory standards addressing single-room occupancy units as part of the 2023 Zoning Update. | FY2017/18 | 5th cycle, 2013 to 2022 |
| 2022 | Zoning Code Amendments for Transitional and Supportive Housing | The City shall update the Zoning Code to be fully compliant with State law and allow transitional and supportive housing in all zones that allow residential uses, subject to the same restrictions that apply to other residential uses of the same type in the same zone. | The Zoning Ordinance allows transitional and supportive housing in all residential zoning districts, subject to the same restrictions that apply to other residential uses of the same type in the same zone. | Complete | 5th cycle, 2013 to 2022 |
| 2022 | Publicize Residential Sites Inventory | The City shall make the residential sites inventory available to developers by publicizing it on the City website and providing copies of the sites to developers. The City shall update the list of sites annually, or as projects are approved on the sites. | In addition to the 2015 – 2023, Housing Element sites inventory, the most recent Residential Vacant Land Inventory was completed in October 2022 and is available on the City’s website. The City also completed an initial assessment of underutilized and vacant land as part of the 2023 – 2031 Housing Element update. | Within 6 months of adoption; update annually, or as needed | 5th cycle, 2013 to 2022 |
| 2022 | Funding sources to Assist Homeownership | The City shall pursue potential sources of additional funding for homeownership assistance, including the availability of State HCD, CalHFA funds, HOME, and County funds. The City shall improve public outreach activities through the compilation of resources for down payment assistance, silent second mortgages, and other means of acquiring a home. | The City has posted on its website links to organizations who offer homebuyer assistance, including the Housing Trust of Silicon Valley, an organization that helps first-time homebuyers secure Below Market Rate (BMR) down payment assistance. On December 6 and December 8, 2022, the City co-hosted Spanish and English Webinars (respectively) to educate the public on the Santa Clara County Empower Homebuyers Down Payment Assistance Program. The webinar was co-hosted with the City of Morgan Hill and the Housing Trust of Silicon Valley. | Ongoing review of additional funding sources for homeownership assistance. | 5th cycle, 2013 to 2022 |
| 2022 | Reduced Parking Standards for Senior Housing | The City shall conduct a study to determine if reduced parking standards for senior housing are appropriate in Gilroy. Based on the findings of the study, the City may revise the Zoning Code, as necessary, to reduce parking standards for senior housing. | Not completed. The 2023 – 2031 Housing Element includes a program to consider reduced parking standards for senior housing. | Review and amend Zoning Code, as appropriate, following adoption of the 2040 General Plan. | 5th cycle, 2013 to 2022 |
| 2022 | Development and Conservation of Housing for Farmworkers | The City shall continue to partner with the Housing Authority of Santa Clara County and various non-profit organizations to explore and implement ways of providing affordable farmworker housing. The City shall assist with requests by developers for State and Federal funding for development of multi-family housing within city limits. | The City maintains communication with Santa Clara County and other organizations regarding the need for farmworker housing and the potential for expanding farmworker housing in Gilroy. There is currently farm worker housing in Gilroy, including three apartment buildings (managed by Eden Housing). The Ochoa Migrant Camp (managed by EAH Housing) is just outside of city boundaries. The Ochoa Migrant camp is seasonal, following the surrounding harvest season. During the off season, it is used to accommodate un-housed families. | Outreach to Santa Clara Housing Authority and non-profit organizations biennially starting in 2016, and Identify and pursue development, as appropropriate. | 5th cycle, 2013 to 2022 |
| 2022 | Community Access to Housing Information | To ensure the Gilroy community is provided the highest level of access to information, the City shall evaluate the effectiveness of existing outreach and community education efforts and develop a comprehensive outreach strategy for the delivery of housing information. The outreach strategy will consider various methods of delivery, including print media, mailers, web-based information, and other methods that consider economic and cultural considerations unique to the City of Gilroy. | The City's 2040 General Plan, adopted in November 2020, includes goals, policies, and implementation actions regarding outreach and community education efforts including various methods of delivery, such as print media, mailers, web-based information, and other methods that consider economic and cultural considerations unique to the City of Gilroy. The City of Gilroy, along with the City of Morgan Hill, the California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA), and program lender Guild Mortgage, hosted an ADU Grant Webinar on September 29, 2022. Community members expressed appreciation for the informative webinar, which may lead to more grants for ADUs, and thus more ADU production, in Gilroy. | Develop housing information strategy by June, 2016. | 5th cycle, 2013 to 2022 |
| 2022 | Residential Development Ordinance | The City shall review and revise, as appropriate, the Residential Development Ordinance to ensure that it does not pose a constraint on the maintenance, improvement and development of housing; and provides capacity to meet the City’s RHNA need. Furthermore, the City will encourage the development of housing that is affordable to a variety of income groups through the Residential Development Ordinance by comparing its features with the Neighborhood District Ordinance and making any changes to ensure the two policies are compatible. | Senate Bill 330, signed by the governor in 2019, prohibits a jurisdiction from implementing any provision that limits the number of approvals or permits or puts a cap on the number housing units that can be approved or constructed, or limits population. As a result, the Residential Development Ordinance is now null and void and will be repealed as part of the City's comprehensive zoning update in 2023. | Immediate | 5th cycle, 2013 to 2022 |
| 2022 | Facilitate Infill Development | The City shall coordinate efforts with private and non-profit developers, and other housing related groups to encourage the construction of residential development through a menu of regulatory incentives (e.g., streamlined review and other methods that will effectively encourage infill development). The City shall monitor infill development on a biannual basis to ensure the effectiveness of programs to encourage housing development. If, based on its biannual review, the City finds that additional programs are needed to facilitate infill development, the City shall revise programs as appropriate. | Between January 1, 2015 and December 31, 2022, the City permitted 2,605 new residential units. The City’s residential development standards are generally very permissive. For example, single-family and multi-family residential projects that comply with objective development and design standards can generally be approved through a ministerial or administrative review process, without the need for public hearings. Furthermore, multi-family development is typically built with moderate to high densities, with higher densities allowed through the State Density Bonus law. | Biennially starting in 2016 | 5th cycle, 2013 to 2022 |