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 | H1.H Utilize the City’s Below Market Rate (BMR) Housing Fund | Accumulate and distribute funds for housing affordable to extremely low, very low, low and moderate income households | In May 2021, the City Council authorized $1.2 million from the BMR housing fund to support Habitat for Humanity Greater San Francisco’s proposal to create a Homeownership Preservation Program. The program will assist low income homeowners in Menlo Park with major repairs and rehabs that address acute safety issues and enable homeowners to age in place and remain in the community they have been a part of for many years. In December 2022, staff released a NOFA with an amount of $1.5 million to $2 million and received three proposals, which are being reviewed by City staff and anticipated for Housing Commission review in the first half of 2023. | Ongoing | 5th cycle, 2013 to 2022 |
| 2022 | H1.F Work with the San Mateo County Department of Housing | Coordinate with County efforts to maintain and support affordable housing | Continued participation and coordination has occurred as part of the countywide 21 Elements organization. Working with the County Department of Housing and other jurisdictions on housing-related topics, such as accessory dwelling units, and coordination in implementing Housing Element programs and developing the updated 6th Cycle Housing Element. | Ongoing | 5th cycle, 2013 to 2022 |
| 2022 | H1.I Work with Non-Profits on Housing | Maintain a working relationship with non-profit housing sponsors | The Council approved the establishment of a community housing fund in 2019, originally known as the Tenant Assistance Program (TAP), administered by a local nonprofit, Samaritan House San Mateo. Samaritan House, with support from the City, has continued to offer financial assistance to lower income tenants experiencing hardships and/or potential displacement. In October 2021, the City Council approved $250,000 in American Rescue Plan funds to increase funding for the program, which was renamed from TAP to the Housing Assistance Program. In March 2022, the City disbursed $250,000 in additional funding for the program. In addition to the remaining $4,000 of the $100,000 of initial funding, Samaritan House distributed a total of approximately $25,237 of the program’s additional $250,000 funding allocation in 2022, which assisted 8 households comprised of 19 individuals in remaining stably housed while experiencing financial hardship and economic instability.
Separately, during the development of the 2023-2031 6th Cycle Housing Element update, City staff met with affordable housing developers, housing service providers, organizations advocating for affordable housing opportunities for people with disabilities, and other organizations, and incorporated feedback and recommendations into the development of the 2023-2031 6th Cycle Housing Element. In addition, the City partnered with Climate Resilient Communities (CRC) to assist in community engagement and outreach efforts in the historically underserved Belle Haven neighborhood and citywide as part of the 6th Cycle Housing Element update process.Simultaneous with the 6th Cycle Housing Element update and throughout 2022, the City has been coordinating with MidPen Housing to support a 62-unit affordable housing development on approximately two acres of the Menlo Park Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center campus at 795 Willow Road. The site is included as Housing Opportunity Site #64 in the 6th Cycle Housing Element. | Ongoing | 5th cycle, 2013 to 2022 |
| 2022 | H1.K Address Rent Conflicts | Resolve rent conflicts as they arise | In November 2019, the City Council passed an urgency ordinance to enact state law AB 1482 locally prior to the January 1, 2020 effective date, enacting rent increase and just cause protections. In 2022, the City has continued to be an informational resource for local tenants unfamiliar with new state laws. Informative material is available on the City's website, including contact information for free legal services. | Ongoing | 5th cycle, 2013 to 2022 |
| 2022 | H1.M Lobby for Changes to State Housing Element Requirements | Work with other San Mateo County jurisdictions and lobby for modifications to Housing Element law (coordinate with Program H1.B) | The City continues to participate in the 21 Elements organization to review, discuss, analyze, collaborate, and provide comment on various housing and planning-related legislation for San Mateo County jursidictions. | Ongoing | 5th cycle, 2013 to 2022 |
| 2022 | H1.C Publicize Fair Housing Laws and Respond to Discrimination Complaints | Obtain and distribute materials (see Program H1.D) | Materials are available at Menlo Park City Hall and on the City's website. In 2022, fair housing and legal services referrals were provided by phone, email, and through in-person appointments to Project Sentinel, Community Legal Services of East Palo Alto, Legal Aid Society of San Mateo County, and the San Mateo County Department of Housing. Fair housing and legal services information was updated and available on the City website. A total of six complaints were filed and resolved in Menlo Park between 2013 and 2020, which is the time range of information available from the federal Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity. A total of two complaints were filed and resolved in Menlo Park through the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing between 2018 and 2022. | Ongoing | 5th cycle, 2013 to 2022 |
| 2022 | H3.F Assist in Providing Housing for Persons Living with Disabilities | Provide housing and services for disabled persons | Continued participation and coordination has occurred as part of the countywide 21 Elements organization and with the County Department of Housing and other jurisdictions on housing-related topics such as reasonable accommodation, visitability, and other relevant topics. Participation in the County's Home For All initiative has continued and aims to identify housing needs for all sectors of the community. The City also supports the activities of local non-profit housing providers, such as HIP Housing, whom provide services for disabled persons. | Ongoing | 5th cycle, 2013 to 2022 |
| 2022 | H4.B Implement Inclusionary Housing Regulations | Implement requirements to assist in providing housing affordable to extremely low, very low, low and moderate income households in Menlo Park | In March 2022, the City adopted updates to the Below Market Rate housing Program Guidelines, including changes to the purchase and rental interest list eligibility criteria and general programming-related descriptions. The updates support increasing the housing supply for households that have extremely low, very low, low and moderate incomes compared to the median income for San Mateo County. | Ongoing | 5th cycle, 2013 to 2022 |
| 2022 | H4.H Work with Non-Profits and Property Owners on Housing Opportunity Sites | Identify incentives and procedures to facilitate development of housing affordable to extremely low, very low, low and moderate income households on higher density housing sites | Throughout 2022, the City has been coordinating with MidPen Housing to support a 62-unit affordable housing development on approximately two acres of the Menlo Park Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center campus at 795 Willow Road. The site is included as Housing Opportunity Site #64 in the 6th Cycle Housing Element.
The City will continue to identify partnership opportunities that further the development of affordable units in Menlo Park. | Ongoing | 5th cycle, 2013 to 2022 |
| 2022 | H3.H Continue Support for Countywide Homeless Programs | Support housing and services for the homeless and at-risk persons and families | In 2022, the City focused on identifying policies and programs to meet the needs of people who are experiencing homelessness. New programs prepared as part of the 6th Cycle Housing Element include H3.G, which includes a range of revisions to the City's code such as explicitly allowing transitional and supportive housing in all residential zones, allowing group homes in all residential zones, allowing for low barrier navigation centers in mixed use and non-residential districts, and providing multilingual information on housing programs to extend the reach of helpful information to assist in securing housing.
In previous years, City staff led and supported the Menlo Park Homeless Outreach Team, which consists of staff from the Housing Division, Police Department, and community-based organizations that provide homeless outreach and support services. City staff work closely with community based organizations and the San Mateo County Human Services Agency to coordinate outreach and referral services, with the goal of ending homelessness in Menlo Park. | Ongoing | 5th cycle, 2013 to 2022 |
| 2022 | H4.T Explore Pedestrian and Bicycle Improvements | Coordinate with Redwood City on potential pedestrian and bicycle improvements | In November 2020, the City adopted the Transportation Master Plan that now serves as an update to the City’s previous Sidewalk Master Plan and Comprehensive Bicycle Development Plan. In 2022, the City completed new pedestrian facilities on Sharon Road as part of the plan implementation. | Consider as part of the City's General Plan Update (2014-2017) | 5th cycle, 2013 to 2022 |
| 2022 | H1.L Update Priority Procedures for Providing Water Service to Affordable Housing Developments | Comply with Government Code Section 65589.7 | Complete. This program was finalized in February 2014 through City Council resolution number 6187, which grants priority for water service allocations to proposed housing developments with units affordable to lower income households in the Menlo Park Municipal Water District service area. In the first half of 2023, the City anticipates adoption of an updated resolution for priority water service for affordable housing developments. | 2015 and 2020 (as part of Urban Water Management Plan updates) | 5th cycle, 2013 to 2022 |
| 2022 | H2.B Promote Energy Efficient/Renewable Programs | 50 or more homes and businesses participating in a program | An estimated 98% of residents and businesses are served by Peninsula Clean Energy (PCE) that provides greenhouse gas free (fossil fuel free) electricity to homes and businesses in Menlo Park. Menlo Park continues to participate and promote regional energy efficiency/renewable energy regional programs, such as the Bay Area Regional Energy Network (BayREN). The city also requires all new buildings to be all-electric with no to little natural gas (fossil fuel) usage to capitalize on PCE’s clean electricity offerings and support the City in meeting its 2030 Climate Action Plan goal to be carbon neutral by 2030. | Establish policy and programs by 2017; Participation rate by 2022 | 5th cycle, 2013 to 2022 |
| 2022 | H3.E Investigate Possible Multi-Jurisdictional Emergency Shelter | Coordinate in the construction of homeless facility (if determined feasible) | There are no plans for a specific facility in Menlo Park at this time, however, in 2022, San Mateo County initiated the Working Together to End Homelessness initiative. In 2022, the County broke ground on a new 240-bed navigation center in nearby Redwood City. The project will offer temporary housing as well as services for the unhoused. The City continues to collaborate with other jurisdictions to house people experiencing homelessness, including the Project Homekey program and multi-jurisdictional navigational centers. | Longer term program as the opportunity arises | 5th cycle, 2013 to 2022 |
| 2022 | H4.I Create Multi-Family and Residential Mixed Use Design Guidelines | Adopt design guidelines for multi-family and mixed use housing developments | As part of the General Plan and M-2 Area Zoning Update in 2016, the City Council adopted the new R-MU (Residential Mixed Use) zoning district. The zoning district includes design standards, which include a number of provisions addressing building modulation, height variation, site design, and open space requirements. | Consider as part of the City’s General Plan Update (2014-2017) | 5th cycle, 2013 to 2022 |
| 2022 | H2.C Amend the Zoning Ordinance to Protect Existing Housing | Protect existing rental housing as part of infill implementation and other Zoning Ordinance changes | The zoning ordinance efforts during the ConnectMenlo general plan update process focused on the creation of new housing in an area that previously did not allow residential uses. Staff recognizes that potential ordinance changes to limit the loss of residential units or the conversion of units can be strategies to maintain the City's housing stock. This is an ongoing item staff will evaluate along with other housing priorities.
Recent State laws such as the Housing Crisis Act of 2019 (SB 330) and the Housing Accountability Act are adhered to by the City to protect and support housing development. Throughout 2022, the City also studied as part of the 6th Cycle Housing Element Update other amendments to the Zoning Ordinance to protect existing housing and address residential displacement impacts (Program H2.B). | Consider as part of the City’s General Plan Update (2014-2017) | 5th cycle, 2013 to 2022 |
| 2022 | H3.A Zone for Emergency Shelter for the Homeless | Amend the Zoning Ordinance | Complete. An ordinance was adopted in April 2014 that identifies the location of an overlay to allow an emergency shelter for the homeless as a use by right and includes standards consistent with State law as established in SB2. | 2014; concurrent with RHNA 5 Housing Element Update | 5th cycle, 2013 to 2022 |
| 2022 | H3.B Zone for Transitional and Supportive Housing | Amend the Zoning Ordinance | Complete. An ordinance was adopted in April 2014 to update the definitions of transitional and supportive housing to be consistent with State law and adds transitional, supportive housing and small (6 or fewer) residential care facilities as part of the definition of a “dwelling” in the Zoning Ordinance so these uses are treated the same way as other residential uses as required by State law under SB2. | 2014; concurrent with RHNA 5 Housing Element Update | 5th cycle, 2013 to 2022 |
| 2022 | H3.G Develop Incentives for Special Needs Housing | Amend the Zoning Ordinance to provide opportunities for housing and adequate support services for seniors and people living with disabilities | Complete. The City's Affordable Housing Overlay (AHO), which was established in 2013, was applied to a 90-unit affordable, senior housing development. Along with financial incentives, the AHO provides density bonuses and a parking reduction for senior housing. | Consider as part of the City’s General Plan Update (2014-2017) | 5th cycle, 2013 to 2022 |
| 2022 | H4.S Explore Creation of a Transportation Management Association | Explore creation of a Transportation Management Association | In April 2019, the City released a joint request for proposals (RFP) with the City of Foster City to solicit bids from prospective firms to assist with Transportation Management Association (TMA) feasibility studies. Two independent contracts were awarded to Steer Group to conduct the studies, with the City of Menlo Park awarding Steer Group’s contract in July 2019. The initial phase of work included data collection and analysis, along with stakeholder outreach and surveying. A progress report was presented to the City Council on February 25, 2020. On July 16, 2020, an options analysis was presented to the City Council and direction was given to further investigate the citywide and sub-regional TMA options. Although the original completion date of the feasibility study was July 2020, it was extended to account for the COVID-19 pandemic changing commute patterns, along with the operational start of a sub-regional TMA, Manzanita Transit, in November 2020. Due to the unknowns from the COVID-19 pandemic and the start of Manzanita Transit, the study pivoted from pursuing the creation of a new TMA to leveraging existing resources and organizations such as Commute.org and Manzanita Transit. Accounting for these latest regional updates, Steer Group conducted a detailed analysis on the two options to identify how to structure a potential TMA. A draft Final Report was shared with the City Council and the Complete Streets Commission in April 2021 to garner feedback. The Final Report and recommendation was approved by City Council in October 2021, with the goal of accomplishing short and long term report recommendations over the next few years. One of the short-term recommendations was achieved in January 2022, when the City Council approved a resolution formalizing the City’s membership into Commute.org. | Consider as part of the City's General Plan Update (2014-2017) | 5th cycle, 2013 to 2022 |