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 | ACTION 2.G: REDUCTION IN HOME
ENERGY COSTS
Continue to advise residents of programs for
reducing residential energy costs. | Encourage reinvestment in the city's housing stock by private property owners. | There is information on some of the available energy cost reduction
assistance programs in the Planning Department waiting area. Per
the Housing Element, the Planning Department will update
information on energy assistance programs in the waiting area and
will make links available on the City's website. | Ongoing | 5th cycle, 2013 to 2022 |
2022 | ACTION 2.D: SECOND UNIT RENT DATA
Continue to collect and monitor data on
second unit rents to better understand their
role in the Orinda housing market and the
income groups they serve. | Encourage the preservation of existing Ongoing affordable housing in the city, including
the Orinda Senior Village, and existing second units and rental apartments. | The City collected and monitored data periodically on second unit
rents using online rental forums such as Craigslist. As noted in the
Housing Element, the City will create a survey on second units which will be updated annually by the Planning Department. | Ongoing | 5th cycle, 2013 to 2022 |
2022 | ACTION 2.H: TITLE 24 ADMINISTRATION
Continue to enforce residential energy
conservation requirements as set forth in Title 24, California Administrative Code. | Encourage reinvestment in the city's housing stock by private property owners. | Implemented by Building Inspection Department staff through the
application of the building codes. The 2019 Building Code took effect on January 1, 2020 and presents more challenging energy savings targets compared to the 2016 Building Code. | Ongoing | 5th cycle, 2013 to 2022 |
2022 | ACTION 3.D: NO NET LOSS OF HOUSING
CAPACITY
Develop and implement an evaluation
procedure to ensure the City maintains
sufficient land to accommodate the Regional
Housing Needs Allocation throughout the
planning period. Because Orinda has a limited number of sites on which it can meet its Regional Housing Needs Allocation for low- and very low-income households during the planning period, it is important that the
availability of these sites be monitored.
Section 65863 of the California Government
Code stipulates that a community may not
reduce the allowable density on a housing site if the result is that the city is no longer able to meet its Regional Housing Needs Allocation. The City will comply with Government Code 65863. | Maintain an adequate number and
variety of sites to meet the City’s
Regional Housing Needs Allocation. | Orinda has a limited number of sites on which it can meet its
Regional Housing Needs Allocation during the planning period.
Therefore, the Planning Department monitors the existing sites
identified in the Housing Element as zoning changes are proposed
and/or as development is proposed on multi-family housing sites. | Ongoing | 5th cycle, 2013 to 2022 |
2022 | ACTION 4.D: BUILDING CODE UPDATES
Continue to implement the California Building
Code of Regulations as locally amended.
Update or amend the codes as state
requirements change. | Ensure that Orinda’s permitting and approval processes do not unduly constrain or delay the construction of
housing. | Latest building code and local amendments adopted in January
2020. Revised small-scale solar PV streamlining requirements
adopted in 2015. The building code is administered by the Contra
Costa County Building Department. | Ongoing | 5th cycle, 2013 to 2022 |
2022 | ACTION 5.C: ASSISTANCE FOR PERSONS
WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES.
Support the construction and rehabilitation of
housing to meet the needs of Orinda
residents with developmental disabilities,
including small group homes and units in
affordable housing developments that are
designed for developmentally disabled
persons. | Encourage the development of
housing designed to meet the unique needs of seniors and persons with disabilities. The City endorses the concept of universal design, wherein all new construction and renovations
are designed to recognize the varying levels of mobility in the population. | Several of the units in the Monteverde project and the Vista Verde project included universal design features to accommodate the unique needs to seniors and persons with disabiltiies. This action will be continued. | Ongoing | 5th cycle, 2013 to 2022 |
2022 | ACTION 1.G: TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO
ORGANIZATIONS THAT CAN DEVELOP
OR PRESERVE LOWER-COST HOUSING
Provide outreach and assistance to nonprofit
organizations and builders whose expertise
can inure to the benefit of low- and moderate-income Orinda residents, particularly
seniors and those with special needs. | Participate in those housing assistance programs that are most appropriate to Orinda's setting and demographcis,
with an amphasis on programs that benefit local seniors and those who live or work in Orinda.
Facilitate completion of 66 units of housing for very low- and extremely low-income seniors at the Monteverde Senior Apartments Project. | The City worked successfully with Eden Housing to develop 66 units affordable to extremely low- and very low-income senior households at the Monteverde Senior Housing project. The project includes one manger’s unit affordable at the moderate income level. The City will continue to meet with interested housing developers on an ongoing basis. When applications for affordable units or mixed-income housing developments are received, the City will proactively work with the applicants to address issues of concern, such as parking, traffic and design, and will continue to explore ways to reduce the cost of developing such housing in Orinda on a case-by-case basis. A developer submitted an application in 2021 for the Vista Verde affordable senior housing project. The application was submitted, and it was approved in 2022. | Ongoing | 5th cycle, 2013 to 2022 |
2022 | ACTION 1.E: SECOND UNITS IN WILDER
(GATEWAY VALLEY)
Encourage builders in the Wilder development to include second units in new homes or to incorporate space with the flexibility for second unit conversions in the future. | Encourage the incluson of second units in new single-family homes, and support the creation of such units in existing single-family homes, subject to design criteria of the Zoning Ordinance and building code standards as well as neighborhood compatibility considerations. Facilitate development of 57 second units between 2014 and 2022. Based on prevailing market rents (and analysis in Chapter 4 of this element), it is presumed that 2 of these units will be affordable to very low-income households, 13 to low-income households, 38 to moderate-income households. | See statement above regarding Action 1C. To date, approvals have been granted for 8 second units in the Wilder subdivision. The Planning Department staff continue to inform Wilder developers of this Housing Element objective, and many of the approved plans have an option of including or converting square footage to second units. One such project was approved in 2018. None were approved in 2019 nor 2021. One was approved in 2022. | Ongoing | 5th cycle, 2013 to 2022 |
2022 | ACTION 1.F: AFFORDABLE HOUSING
INCENTIVE PROGRAM
Continue to implement the City’s affordable
housing incentive program (density bonus
ordinance), which grants up to a 35 percent
increase in the number of permitted units for
developments which set aside 20 percent or
more of their units as affordable, as defined
by state law. | Participate in those housing assistance programs that are most appropriate to Orinda's setting and demographcis,
with an amphasis on programs that benefit local seniors and those who live or work in Orinda.
Facilitate completion of 66 units of housing for very low- and extremely low-income seniors at the Monteverde Senior Apartments Project. | Through the City’s affordable housing program, 66 units restricted to extremely low- and very low-income households were developed at a density greater than allowed without the program for the
Monteverde Senior Housing project. Without the program
approximately 55 units would have been allowed on the project site. The development was competed in November 2014 and fully
occupied in December 2014. The City will continue to implement the Affordable Housing Incentive Program. The City will continue to
meet with interested housing developers on an ongoing basis. | Ongoing | 5th cycle, 2013 to 2022 |
2022 | ACTION 2.E: FLOOR AREA RATIO LIMITS
Maintain a sliding scale for calculating floor
area ratios (FAR) as a way to preserve the
city’s existing stock of smaller homes. | Encourage reinvestment in the city's housing stock by private property owners. Conserve Orinda's existing supply of smaller and more affordable single-family homes, including older two- and three-bedroom homes on lots smaller than 10,000 square feet. | Planning Staff continues to successfully implement this program
through the structure size limitations of the City’s Zoning Code
(Orinda Municipal Code Section 17.6.8). | Ongoing | 5th cycle, 2013 to 2022 |
2022 | ACTION 5.B: LOCAL PREFERENCE IN
HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES
Continue measures to ensure that persons
who work in Orinda receive preference in the
occupancy of new affordable for-sale housing
units. | Support programs that educate and inform residents about fair housing laws, the Regional Housing Needs Allocation process, and the City's obligations under state housing law. | The local preference program provisions were incorporated into the
established below market rate program for the Orinda Grove project. This action will be continued for other development projects. | Ongoing | 5th cycle, 2013 to 2022 |
2022 | ACTION 1.D: LEGALIZATION OF EXISTING
UNREGISTERED SECOND UNITS
Notify property owners that under the revised
second dwelling unit standards, formerly
illegal second units may possibly now meet
the requirements of the Zoning Ordinance. | Promote the registration and
legalization of existing second units in the city that meet current zoning and building safety standards, including those which are in active use as rental housing and those with the potential to be used as rental units. Facilitate development of 57 second units between 2014 and 2022. Based on prevailing market rents (and the analysis in Chapter 4 of this element), it is presumed that 2 of these units will be affordable to very low-income households, 13 to low-income households, and 38 to moderate-income households. | See statement above regarding Action 1C. One building permit was issued in 2018 for the legalization of an existing second unit that was entitled and reported in 2017. With new state laws that went into effect on January 1, 2020, we expect to see more legalization of unregistered second units. | Ongoing | 5th cycle, 2013 to 2022 |
2022 | ACTION 2.A: ASSISTANCE TO LOWER-
INCOME SENIOR HOMEOWNERS
Participate in Contra Costa County’s housing
rehabilitation program, and publicize the
availability of the County’s low interest loan
programs for lower-income seniors and
other households. | Encourage reinvestment in the city's housing stock by private property owners. Encourage 10 existing very low-income Orinda households to participate in the
County’s major rehabilitation loan
program. | The City continues to participate in Contra Costa County's housing
rehabilitation program. Due to limited time and resources, the City
did not take additional steps to advertise the program's availability
during the planning period. The City will coordinate with County staff and advertise the program in the city newsletter at least annually, and will post information/links to the City's website. | Ongoing | 5th cycle, 2013 to 2022 |
2022 | ACTION 4.B: REDUCTION OF PERMITTING
COSTS AND DELAYS
Explore the feasibility of expanding the City’s
Affordable Housing Incentive Program to
add provisions for reductions in application processing costs for multi-family projects containing affordable units. | Ensure that Orinda’s permitting and approval processes do not unduly constrain or delay the construction of housing. City procedures should be consistent with Permit Streamlining Act requirements and should not include unreasonable fees or regulations. Make a "completeness" determination for planning applications within two weeks or less for 80 percent of all applications received, rather than
waiting the full 30 days allowed by the Permit Streamlining Act.
Provide at least one workshop or
training seminar a year to assist
owners, builders, contractors, and
others with understanding Orinda's development process and requirements. | Planning Staff continues to be responsive to applicants and
perform completeness reviews within the 30-day timeline. Development impact fee waivers are available for affordable housing projects. | Ongoing | 5th cycle, 2013 to 2022 |
2022 | ACTION 5.A: FAIR HOUSING PROGRAM
Distribute information regarding fair housing
issues in the City’s quarterly newsletter, at
the Orinda Library, and at City offices. | Continue to promote equal housing opportunity for all Orinda residents and others seeking housing in the city, regardless of race, religion, marital/family status, ethnic background, or other arbitrary factors. Support programs that educate and inform residents about fair housing laws, the Regional Housing Needs
Allocation process, and the City's
obligations under state housing law. Follow up on 100 percent of all fair housing complaints received by the City. | This policy remains active. There were no fair housing complaints in 2022. The City periodically includes housing information in a
quarterly newsletter. Articles regarding affordable homeownership
opportunities at Orinda Grove and the status of the Monteverde
Senior Apartments project were included in past newsletters. | Ongoing | 5th cycle, 2013 to 2022 |
2022 | ACTION 4.A: REVISE THE USE PERMIT
REQUIREMENTS
Revise the use permit process in the
Residential Medium-Density (RM) District. | Ensure that Orinda’s permitting and approval processes do not unduly constrain or delay the construction of housing. City procedures should be
consistent with Permit Streamlining Act requirements and should not include unreasonable fees or regulations. | On March 15, 2016, the Orinda City council approved revisions to
the use permit process in the RM District consistent with Action 3E of the Housing Element. The Downtown Precise Plan, which will include objective design standards, is expected to assist with streamlining development in downtown once adopted. | Within 1 year
of adoption
of Housing
Element | 5th cycle, 2013 to 2022 |
2022 | ACTION 3.E: HOUSING SITE(S)
As a part of the 5th Cycle Housing Element,
the City considered anew whether to rely on
the 3.2 acre Santa Maria site to help meet the City’s RHNA for lower income households. The City selected the Santa Maria site in EIR Alternative 1 to zone at up to 20 dwelling units per acre (the “default density” under State law) in order to accommodate 48 units of the City’s allocation of lower income households. Through this Action, the City will initiate and process an amendment of the development policies (i.e., general plan, zoning and/or zoning map) applicable on the selected site to replace the existing High Density Overlay District on the site with policies to accommodate a total of 48 units at up to 20 dwelling units per acre (the “default density” under State law). This will be a public process. The precise wording of the development policies and configuration of the area covered will be determined through that public process. | Maintain an adequate number and
variety of sites to meet the City’s
Regional Housing Needs Allocation. Meet Orinda's Regional Housing Needs Allocation mandates through a
combination of second units and
rezoning of adequate land area at the default density. | On March 15, 2016, the Orinda City council approved revisions to
the use permit process in the RM District consistent with Action 3E of the Housing Element. | Within 2
years of
Adoption of
Housing
Element | 5th cycle, 2013 to 2022 |
2022 | ACTION 1.B: MONTEVERDE SENIOR
APARTMENTS DEVELOPMENT
Facilitate continued development and
construction of the Monteverde Senior
Apartments development on the former
Orinda Library site. This development will
produce 66 units of housing for very low- and
extremely low-income seniors at a density of
48 units per acre and is anticipated to be
completed in December 2014. | Facilitate completion of 66 units of 2014 housing for very low- and extremely low-income seniors at the Monteverde Senior Apartments Project. Provide for a diversity of housing types to meet current and future needs of all residents without compromising the semi-rural character of Orinda's single-family neighborhoods. Participate in those housing assistance programs that are most appropriate to Orinda's setting and demographcis, with an amphasis on programs that benefit local seniors and those who live or work in Orinda. Continue to provide density bonusesfor housing that includes dedicated affordable untis or units set aside for seniors, consistent with state law. | Construction was completed in November 2014 and the development was fully occupied in December 2014. | 42004 | 5th cycle, 2013 to 2022 |
2022 | ACTION 1.A: ORINDA GROVE
DEVELOPMENT
Facilitate redevelopment/reuse of the former Pine Grove School as a mixed-income residential development including 8 moderate- income housing units and 65 market-rate
housing units. | Facilitate the production of at least 42 new single-family homes (suitable for moderate- and above moderate income households) between 2014 and 2022 (RHNA period). Facilitate completion of 8 units of owner-occupied housing affordable to moderate income households on the former Pine Grove School site. Provide for a diversity of housing types to meet current and future needs of all
residents without compromising the semi-rural character of Orinda's single-family neighborhoods. Encourage planned unit developments,
which allow variations from
development standards provided that the overall density of the site remainsconsistent with the General Plan. | Building permits for 41 units at Orinda Grove were issued in 2013
and permits for the remaining 32 units were issued in 2014. The
below market rate program for the development was established and the application process for affordable units was completed. By the end of 2015, all units were constructed and final building inspections had been conducted. | 2014-2015 | 5th cycle, 2013 to 2022 |
2022 | ACTION 3.B: ADJUSTMENT OF DESIGN
STANDARDS TO IMPROVE
AFFORDABILITY
Implement the City’s Affordable Housing
Incentive Program to reduce production costs
in projects containing affordable units such as adjusting design standards on a case-by-case basis, which could include adjusting standards for setbacks, lot coverage, street width, unit size, and parking, for all affordable housing projects. | Meet annually with at least one
affordable housing developer or
representative of an affordable housing advocacy group to discuss housing issues, needs and opportunities in Orinda.
Encourage larger-scale residential
developments to include a mix of unit types, including smaller units and units that are affordable to lower- and moderate-income households. | Construction of 66 units of housing for very low- and extremely low-income seniors at the Monteverde Senior Apartments Project was
completed in December 2014. This project made use of the City's
Affordable Housing Incentive Program to build at a higher density
than usually allowed by code. Additionally, a 52 unit affordable senior housing project at the Vista Verde Project was submitted in 2021 and approved in 2022. The City will continue to meet with interested housing developers on an ongoing basis. When applications for affordable units or mixed-income housing developments are received, the City will proactively work with the applicants to address issues of concern, such as parking, traffic and design, and will continue to explore ways to reduce the cost of developing such housing in Orinda on a case-by-case basis. | 2015 | 5th cycle, 2013 to 2022 |