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 | General Plan Density Bonus | Continue to provide up to a 100% density bonus for developments that provide housing for elderly, handicapped, and/or very low and low income households. | This is an incentive that would be provided to projects that meet the criteria. | On-going | 5th cycle, 2013 to 2022 |
| 2022 | Special Needs Housing | Include preferential handling of special needs populations. | Will be considered when plans are adopted and projects are funded. | On-going | 5th cycle, 2013 to 2022 |
| 2022 | Development Standards | Continue to review, evaluate, update, and streamline the development process for affordable housing developments. | The Town considers improvements to the development review process for affordable housing projects when they are proposed. | On-going | 5th cycle, 2013 to 2022 |
| 2022 | Energy Conservation Opportunities | Continue to enforce Title 24 requirements. | The Town enforces Title 24 requirements. | On-going | 5th cycle, 2013 to 2022 |
| 2022 | Funds for Development for Extremely Low-Income Households | Use BMP in-lieu fees to subsidize these types of projects. | Use of BMP in-lieu fees will be considered as opportunities arise. | On-going | 5th cycle, 2013 to 2022 |
| 2022 | Large Site Program | To assist development of housing for lower income households on sites larger than 10 acres. | Incentives and assistance will be considered as opportunities arise. | On-going | 5th cycle, 2013 to 2022 |
| 2022 | Extremely Low-Income Households | Offer incentives to developers to develop this type of housing. | The Town will consider incentives when projects of this nature are proposed. | On-going | 5th cycle, 2013 to 2022 |
| 2022 | No Net loss | If residential capacity is reduced on a property on the Sites Inventory then the Town will identify and zone another property to accommodate the remaining RHNA. | If this situation arises the Town will comply with this requirement. | On-going | 5th cycle, 2013 to 2022 |
| 2022 | Increased Range of Housing Opportunities for the Homeless | Continue to support Santa Clara Couty's Continuum of Care Plan. | The Town continues to support Santa Clara Couty's Continuum of Care Plan. | On-going | 5th cycle, 2013 to 2022 |
| 2022 | Below Market Price (BMP) Program | Continue to implement the BMP Program in order to increase the number of affordable units in the community. | BMP Program is implemented on all residential projects that meet the criteria. | On-going | 5th cycle, 2013 to 2022 |
| 2022 | Preserve "At-Risk" Affordable Housing Units | Monitor affordable housing to ensure affordability status is maintained. | No units are at-risk of converting to market rents in the planning period. | On-going | 5th cycle, 2013 to 2022 |
| 2022 | BMP In-Lieu Fees | Use BMP in-lieu fees to increase and preserve affordable housing. | Use of BMP in-lieu fees will be considered as opportunities arise. | On-going | 5th cycle, 2013 to 2022 |
| 2022 | Developmental Challenges | Continue to work with the CA Department of Developmental Services to inform citizens of available services. | The Town will work with the CA Department of Developmental Services to inform citizens of available services. | On-going | 5th cycle, 2013 to 2022 |
| 2022 | Annual Housing Report | Prepare an annual housing report. | The Town prepares an annual housing report. | On-going | 5th cycle, 2013 to 2022 |
| 2022 | AFFORDABLE HOUSING OVERLAY ZONE | Continue to implement minimum density and incentives in the AHOZ. | This will be implemented when a project in the AHOZ is considered. | On-going | 5th cycle, 2013 to 2022 |
| 2022 | Rental Housing Conservation Program | Any conversion of residential uses must saisfy the housing goals and policies of the General Plan. | This will be considered if a conversion of residential uses is proposed. | On-going | 5th cycle, 2013 to 2022 |
| 2022 | Town Housing Resources Guide | Provide information on developments that provide affordable housing units. | Town Housing Resources Guide is updated when necessary. | On-going | 5th cycle, 2013 to 2022 |
| 2022 | Rental Dispute Resolution Program | Continue to administer a Rental Dispute Resolution Program. | The Town continues to use Project Sentinel to administer a Rental Dispute Resolution Program. | On-going | 5th cycle, 2013 to 2022 |
| 2022 | Supportive Services for the Homeless | Continue to support organizations that provide supportive services for homeless persons. | The Town continues to support organizations that provide supportive services for homeless persons. | On-going | 5th cycle, 2013 to 2022 |
| 2022 | Special Needs Housing | Give priority to special needs housing. | If a project of this nature is submitted it will be given priority. | On-going | 5th cycle, 2013 to 2022 |