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 | H3 - Vacant and Underutilized Land Inventory | The Town shall develop and maintain a publicly available inventory of vacant and underutilized parcels designated and zoned to allow residential development. The inventory should highlight sites that are appropriate for developments that meet local housing needs identified in this Housing Element. | The vacant land inventory was comprehenvisely updated as part of the Town's development impact fee study in 2015, and as part of the 2015-2023 Housing Element Update and is updated as necessary. In 2021, the Town began work on the 6th cycle housing element which continued into 2022 and includes a comprehensive review and update to the Town's vacant land inventory. | Ongoing | 5th cycle, 2013 to 2022 |
| 2022 | H12 - Promote Rooms for Rent | The Town shall educate the community that it is permissible to rent rooms in single family houses by putting information in the Town newsletter and on the Town website and working with St. Mary's to inform students of this housing opportunity. | Information regarding the renting of rooms in single family homes has been added to the Town’s “FAQ” web page, and articles on this topic are periodically included in the Town newsletter | Ongoing | 5th cycle, 2013 to 2022 |
| 2022 | H2 - No-Net-Loss of Sites | The Town shall continue to zone sufficient sites to meet Moraga’s regional share of housing need as established by the Association of Bay Area Governments Regional Housing Needs Allocation. Consistent with “no-net-loss” density provisions contained in Government Code Section 65863, the Town shall consider the potential impact on the Town’s ability to meet its share of the regional housing need when reviewing proposals to downzone residential properties, reclassify residentially-designated property to other uses, or develop a residential site with fewer units than what is assumed for the site in the Housing Element sites inventory. | In 2022 the Town did not receive any proposals to downzone residential properties, reclassify residentially-designated property to other uses, or develop a residential site with fewer units than what is assumed for that site in the Housing Element sites inventory. The Town will continue to evaluate projects proposing to downzone residential properties, reclassify residentially-designated property to other uses, or develop a residential site with fewer units than what is assumed for the site in the Housing Element sites for consistency with Government Code Section 65863. | Ongoing | 5th cycle, 2013 to 2022 |
| 2022 | H11 - Crime Prevention Guidelines | The Town shall develop planning and design guidelines for implementation of design ideas that can help prevent or reduce crime (e.g., through attention to sight-lines to front doors and windows and from front windows to the street). | Town of Moraga Design Guideline SFR2.8 states "conscious efforts should be made to recognize building security as a design element of new construction." As development applications are submitted, the Planning Department continues to implement existing design guidelines and coordinates with the Police Department as necessary. | Ongoing | 5th cycle, 2013 to 2022 |
| 2022 | H15 - Fee Deferrals | The Town may allow deferral of certain fees on qualifying affordable housing developments until issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy (COO) to help offset development costs for affordable housing. | No affordable housing fee deferrals were requested in 2022 | Ongoing | 5th cycle, 2013 to 2022 |
| 2022 | H13 - Increase Awareness of Housing Rehabilitation Program | The Town shall improve citizen awareness of the Contra Costa County Housing Authority’s Housing Rehabilitation Program and Contra Costa County Neighborhood Preservation Loan program by making pamphlets available at the Planning Department and the public library, and conducting targeted outreach to lower income households, including extremely low-income households | At present, the Contra Costa County Housing Authority operates a housing rehabilitation program that is only active in the city of Antioch. The Contra Costa County Department of Conservation and Development’s Neighborhood Preservation Loan Program is available to low-income residents meeting certain limits on annual income, and therefore only a small percentage of Moraga residents would be eligible. Staff makes available pamphlets to the public advertising the Contra Costa County Neighborhood Preservation Loan Program in the Town's entry lobby. | Ongoing | 5th cycle, 2013 to 2022 |
| 2022 | H5 - Develop Rheem Park Area Specific Plan | The Town shall undertake a coordinated specific plan process, area plan, or other more detailed planning, such as focused updates to the General Plan or Zoning to address planning issues in the Rheem Park area in accordance with the goals and policies of the General Plan. These planning efforts should reflect opportunities to develop a range of housing types and densities, and should consider the inclusion of requirements to ensure that housing is affordable to low- and very low-income residents and seniors, and that it provides workforce housing opportunities. | The Rheem Shopping Center changed ownership in December 2015 and the new owner conducted a joint study session with the Planning Commission and Design Review Board to get feedback on a new design for the shopping center. A new Commercial Planned Development (PD-C) zoning district was adopted (MMC 8.50) which is intended to encourage the revitalization of Moraga’s existing commercial centers zoned Community Commercial by providing flexibility in development standards and planning for appropriate uses in a coordinated manner. In 2020 a new Master Sign Program and facade improvments were approved by the Planning Commission for the existing shopping center. In 2022, as part of the sixth cycle housing element work, the Town determined that several portions of the shopping center area would be rezoned to allow mixed use development of retail and residential at densities of 12 to 24 dwelling units per acre. The Town Council completed a first reading of these ordinances in January 2023. The Town continues to discuss potential future planning efforts for the Rheem Center with new Rheem Shopping Center property owner and other property owners within the Rheem Park Area Specific Plan. | 2018 | 5th cycle, 2013 to 2022 |
| 2022 | H10 - Facilitate Access to Affordable Housing Subsidies | The Town shall seek to increase the availability of Federal, State, county, and local financial assistance for affordable housing in Moraga through the following actions:
(a) Petitioning the County Housing Authority for additional Section 8 subsidies if rental dwelling units can be located that are within Federal fair market rent guidelines. If necessary, collect documentation on rent levels and need to substantiate an increase in the number of Section 8 certificates or vouchers.
(b) Participating in future issuances of mortgage revenue bonds or mortgage tax credit programs by Contra Costa County to support home ownership opportunities for low and moderate income Moraga residents.
(c) Assisting developers in accessing funding for the construction of senior housing or other extremely low income to moderate income housing for which State or federal subsidies are available.
(d) Supporting a waiver exemption of Lamorinda Fee and Financing Authority (LFFA) Impact Fees for affordable housing development. The Lamorinda Program Management Committee allows jurisdictions to request fee waivers for affordable housing projects. The Town of Moraga will attempt to secure these waivers for eligible developments.
(e) Encouraging future development to consider a fair share affordable housing component for workforce housing, including housing for extremely low income households. | No activity in 2022. The Town will work with developers and others to process requests for fee waivers for affordable housing projects, and to encourage inclusion of affordable and workforce housing in projects. | (a) 2017 - (b) ongoing - (c.), (d), (e.) Consider opportunities at least annually and as development is proposed | 5th cycle, 2013 to 2022 |
| 2022 | H4-Adopt Zoning for the Moraga Center Specific Plan | The Town shall adopt conforming zoning designations for all properties within the Moraga Center Specific Plan Area in order to implement the Plan. | On November 10, 2020 the Town Council approved the Moraga Center Specific Plan Implementing Implementation (MCSP-IP) project, which included updated zoning designations, amendments to the zoning code and updated design guidleines to implement the Moraga Center Specifc Plan that was adopted in 2010. | 2017 (Complete) | 5th cycle, 2013 to 2022 |
| 2022 | H7 - Secondary Unit Compliance | The Town shall develop and implement a program to encourage owners of secondary units constructed without appropriate permits to bring their buildings up to code and legalize units where appropriate and conforming to applicable building and zoning code requirements. Where necessary, the Town shall enforce code compliance issues in secondary units to ensure residents safety. | No activity. The Town does not receive a large number of complaints related to illegal accessory dwelling units. Furher, recent State laws which the Town adheres to regarding ADUs have included provisions for legalizing unpermitted ADUs. | 2017 | 5th cycle, 2013 to 2022 |
| 2022 | H14 - Streamlined Review Process | The Town shall explore changes to the development review process to reduce the time needed for residential subdivision and project approval, while protecting the character of Moraga. Potential changes to the development review process to be considered might include allowing for more review at the staff level and/or developing a preliminary project review process that provides early feedback to developers on whether or not the project is consistent with Town standards and appropriate for the community. | In 2018 the Town adopted new Hillside and Ridgeline regulations which allowed for Hillside Development permits to be approved at staff level as part of the Administrative Design Review process. In 2020 the Town Council adopted an ordinance consolidating the responsibilities of the Design Review Board to the Planning Commission to better improve efficiency in processing development applications and reduce the potential number of public hearing required for projects. In 2021 the Town Council conducted a study session regarding the Town's three step planned development process. Work on this has been delayed due to staff turnover and other planning department priorities including work on updating of the sixth cycle housing element. | 2017 | 5th cycle, 2013 to 2022 |
| 2022 | H1-Annual Progress Report | The Town shall review and report annually on the implementation of Housing Element programs for the prior calendar year, and present the annual report to the Town Council before submitting the annual report to the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) and the Office of Planning and Research (OPR). | The Town Council reviewed the Annual Progress Report for 2022 in March 2023. | Annual | 5th cycle, 2013 to 2022 |
| 2022 | H6 - Secondary Unit Ordinance | The Town shall develop and implement a program to encourage owners of secondary units constructed without appropriate permits to bring their buildings up to code and legalize units where appropriate and conforming to applicable building and zoning code requirements. Where necessary, the Town shall enforce code compliance issues in secondary units to ensure residents safety. | The Town completed work on revising its Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) ordinance to be complaint with State laws that went into effect on January 1, 2017 and January 1, 2020. The Ordinances were adopted by the Town Council on February 14, 2018 and April 14, 2021. | 2015 | 5th cycle, 2013 to 2022 |
| 2022 | H8 - Secondary Unit Database | The Town shall develop a database of existing secondary units within Moraga and the greater region to understand trends and issues in secondary unit development, maintenance, and habitation. | The Town has mapped records of ADUs developed within the Town prior to 2010 and has been tracking all new ADU applications filed under the updated ADU ordinances for reporting purposes to the Department of Housing and Community Development. | Annually | 5th cycle, 2013 to 2022 |
| 2022 | H9 - Maintain and Establish New housing Partnerships | The Town shall work with Saint Mary’s College, the Moraga School District, affordable housing developers, and other groups and organizations to define opportunities for collaboration and identify potential sites, financial resources, and regulatory mechanisms and incentives to facilitate the development of new units that can help meet the Town’s ‘fair share’ housing requirements for all income ranges, including workforce housing and extremely low income. | The Town partnered with Saint Mary’s College on an update to the Campus Master Plan which was completed in 2017. The plan includes strategies for addressing changing needs related to on-campus housing and includes plans for 180 additional beds, 12 as single occupancy units and 168 beds in apartments. During 2021, Town staff reached out to St. Marys regarding potential housing oportunities related to the 6th cycle housing element. Additionally, on October 20, 2022, as part of the Town's sixth cycle housing element outreach efforts, the Town held a developer roundtable meeting to discuss housing development issues. The roundtable included two afffordable housing developers and Saint Mary's College in addition to market rate housing developers. | Annually | 5th cycle, 2013 to 2022 |
| 2020 | H16 - Publicize Senior Housing Resources | The Town shall provide information to the public on housing resources available to seniors, including local subsidized senior housing, senior housing providers, and fair housing assistance | The Town provides information on senior housing resources to the public on an as-needed basis. | Ongoing | 5th cycle, 2013 to 2022 |
| 2020 | H17 - Address Homeless Housing, Services and Referral | The Town shall provide referrals to private and public agencies that offer assistance and shelter to homeless individuals and families, and participate with designated inter-agency organizations to address homeless needs. The Town shall make pamphlets available at the Planning Department and the public library with information on temporary housing resources, assistance, and facilities for extremely low-income households and persons or families faced with the prospect of homelessness. | The Town provides information on homeless assistance services on an as-needed basis. | Ongoing | 5th cycle, 2013 to 2022 |
| 2020 | H27 - Participate in Energy Efficiency Programs | The Town shall continue to participate in efforts that encourage energy efficiency upgrades, such as the Home Upgrade program for single family homes and the Multifamily Building Enhancements program, both available through Energy Upgrade California. | In 2018 the Town Council adopted an ordinance for the Town to join MCE, a Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) Program, which is a locally owned energy provider that will allow residents and businesses the option to have renewable electricity provided by MCE, which includes different levels of renewable energy and 50% and 100%. • In early 2018 residential and commercial electric accounts were enrolled into MCE. As of December 2019, Moraga has 6,427 electric accounts, 5,760 of those, or 89.6%, are enrolled in MCE. | Ongoing | 5th cycle, 2013 to 2022 |
| 2020 | H22 - Equal Housing Opportunities Coordinator | The Town shall continue to designate the Planning Director as the Town's Equal Opportunity Coordinator with responsibility to refer complaints to a district office of the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing. The Coordinator shall be responsible for addressing complaints, providing fair housing information to the public, and educating Town staff on fair housing laws and the organizations and programs that address fair housing issues | The Planning Director provides fair housing information to the public and Town staff on an as-needed basis | Ongoing | 5th cycle, 2013 to 2022 |
| 2020 | H18 - Provide Accessible Housing Information and Referral | The Town shall provide information to developers, homeowners, and other interested parties on the needs and techniques for producing adaptable and accessible housing for people with disabilities, and referrals for people with disabilities who desire specially designed housing to meet their needs. | The Town provides information on accessible housing on an as-needed basis | Ongoing | 5th cycle, 2013 to 2022 |