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 | Program 4.C: Building Code Updates and Ongoing Enforcement | Continue to implement the California Building Code of regulations, as locally amended. Update or amend the codes as state requirements change, and as conditions in Piedmont warrant | This action is implemented on an ongoing bass and continues to be relevant. | On-going | 5th cycle, 2013 to 2022 |
| 2022 | Program 5.H: Faith Community Participation | Work with the local faith community to serve residents in need within Piedmont and the greater East Bay, and to identify potential partners for meeting local extremely low income housing needs. | implemented on an on-going basis. Local houses of worship continue to provide volunteer-run services (food drives, etc.) for lower income persons. | On-going | 5th cycle, 2013 to 2022 |
| 2022 | Program 2.C Use of Original Materials and Construction Methods | Maintain Planning and Building standards which allow the use of original materials and construction methods in home remodeling | Because of the California Green Building Code and City's Construction and Demolition regulations, property owners are incentivized to reuse or up-cycle materials in order to meet diversion requirements. | On-going | 5th cycle, 2013 to 2022 |
| 2022 | Program 5. G: EveryOne Home | Participate in the Alameda County EveryOne Home Program, a Countywide planning effort to increase housing opportunities for extremely low income and disabled persons and strengthen the services the County provides to the homeless | A count of sheltered and un-sheltered homelessness individuals was conducted in January 2017 and February 2022. Piedmont City planning staff participated in the surveys of un-sheltered homeless individuals. The City of Piedmont contributes a pro-rata share of the funds used for operation and administration of the program. | On-going | 5th cycle, 2013 to 2022 |
| 2022 | Program 2.A: CDBG Funding | Apply for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds for housing maintenance and production on an annual basis, and establish a process for informing the public that such funds are available. If and when such funds are received, a priority should be placed on their use to assist households with incomes less than 30 percent of area median income. | These grants are administered and publicized by Alameda County HCD. | On-going | 5th cycle, 2013 to 2022 |
| 2022 | Program 3D: Monitoring Additional Second Unit Development Opportunities | Monitor potential opportunities for second units within new homes and on existing homes located on larger lots that are conducive to second unit creation | On-going, the City promotes the creation of accessory dwelling units at the counter when we recognize an opportunity. Piedmont's floor area limits for new residences are relaxed when the construction of a new residence includes a new accessory dwelling unit or when required by state law. | On-going | 5th cycle, 2013 to 2022 |
| 2022 | Program 4. D: Fee Review | Review all planning an building fees to be sure that they cover required costs but are not more than is necessary to provide the required City services | Planning Department fees were addressed, increased, and went into effect July 1, 2020. | On-going | 5th cycle, 2013 to 2022 |
| 2022 | Program 6.D: Financial Assistance | Promote the use of programs which reduce residential energy costs. | City promotes REACH Codes and energy reduction programs as a part of the Climate Action Plan. Building Permits for residential solar energy systems are expedited with a flat fee. City participates in Energy Upgrade California and PACE programs. | On-going | 5th cycle, 2013 to 2022 |
| 2022 | Program 2.B: Preservation of Small Homes | Maintain zoning and design review regulations that protect the existing supply of small (less than 1,800 square feet) homes in Piedmont. Explore other incentives to protect small homes, including design awards for exemplary small home improvement projects. | The City continues to promote Municipal Code section 17.02.010.B which explicitly indicates its intent to preserve the supply of small homes of small (less than 1,800 square feet) homes in Piedmont. | On-going | 5th cycle, 2013 to 2022 |
| 2022 | Program 5. D: Assistance to Nonprofit Developers | Provide assistance to non-profit entities interested in developing housing for low and moderate income Piedmont residents, including the elderly and others with special needs | The City has begun assisting Habitat for Humanity in their plans to provide services to low-income residents. | On-going | 5th cycle, 2013 to 2022 |
| 2022 | Program 4.A: Media Strategy | Prepare printed brochures and web-based materials which inform residents about the planning and building processes in Piedmont | City regularly updates and improves its paper handouts and website to describe current requirements and respond to "FAQs" | On-going | 5th cycle, 2013 to 2022 |
| 2022 | Program 5.I: Second Units for Extremely Low Income | Maintain an inventory of second units that are available at rents that are affordable to extremely low income households. Explore ways to expand this inventory and encourage the development of additional extremely low income second units through the City's affordable second unit program and other means. | The City's Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) ordinance is consistent with state laws that took effect in 2022-2023. Changes to Government Code Section 65852.2 as a result of AB2299 and SB1069. The City can no longer use exceptions to the parking requirements for accessory dwelling units as incentives for rent restrictions. The City continues to use exceptions to the floor area limits for ADUs as an incentive for rent restrictions (affordable to households earning low and very low incomes). | On-going | 5th cycle, 2013 to 2022 |
| 2022 | Program 6.A: Title 24 | Continue to enforce Title 24 requirements for energy conservation | Standard practice | On-going | 5th cycle, 2013 to 2022 |
| 2022 | Program 6.B: Green Housing | Explore ways to encourage and incentivize greener residential construction. | The City recently adopted REACH Codes to encourage sustainable design and retrofits. The City follows the California Green Building Code. Building Permits for residential solar energy systems are expedited with a flat fee. City participates in Energy Upgrade California and PACE programs. | On-going | 5th cycle, 2013 to 2022 |
| 2022 | Program 7.A: Public Information | Provide printed information on fair housing laws at city Hall and web based information on the City's website. | On-going program. In 2020, the City updated its website and created a fair housing programs webpage with information for residents. | On-going | 5th cycle, 2013 to 2022 |
| 2022 | Program 1. C: Market-Rate Second Units | Maintain zoning regulations that support the Development of market rate second units in Piedmont neighborhoods. | The City continues to promote market rate units as well as affordable units. | On-going | 5th cycle, 2013 to 2022 |
| 2022 | Program 4.B: Home Improvement Seminars | Conduct city-sponsored meetings, programs, and seminars which inform residents on home improvement and maintenance practices in Piedmont | In 2020, the City launched a web page dedicated to housing programs in the City of Piedmont. This approach was chosen due to COVID-19 precautions and as a way to distribute information about fair housing in Piedmont.. | On-going | 5th cycle, 2013 to 2022 |
| 2022 | Program 4. F: Capital Improvement Plan Updates | Annually update the Capital Improvements Plan to ensure that municipal systems are kept in good condition | The City has a CIP committee that advises on priority projects. | On-going | 5th cycle, 2013 to 2022 |
| 2022 | Program 6.C: Renewable Energy Funding Assistance | Participate in Energy Upgrade California or equivalent programs which assist homeowners with renewable energy and energy efficiency improvements on their property. | City continues to participate in Energy Upgrade California and PACE programs. Building Permits for residential solar energy systems are expedited with a flat fee. | On-going | 5th cycle, 2013 to 2022 |
| 2022 | Program 7.B: Fair Housing Referrals | Continue the City's referral arrangement with ECHO Housing on fair housing issues and discrimination complaints. | On-going program | On-going | 5th cycle, 2013 to 2022 |