Vacaville

H. 1 – I 1 - Continue to use the Density Bonus provisions in the Land Use & Development Code to grant density bonuses above the State-mandated minimum in return for an increased share of affordable units. 

CD & HS 

In March 2022, the City Council approved a Density Bonus request for Oak Grove Apartments, a 60-unit new affordable senior housing development to increase the maximum allowable density from 24 du/ac to 28.4 du/ac with the following exceptions to development standards: (1) reduce the total number of private balconies from 60 to 42, and (2) decrease the size of ground floor balconies from 100 square feet to 59 square feet.  All units will be available to very low-income seniors with incomes that are 50% or less of the Area Median with the exception of one manager unit. 

H. 1 – I 10 - Continue to implement the Residential Overlay District Ordinance by supporting development of apartments on vacant commercial lands, which are appropriate sites for multifamily development.

CD

Chapter 14.09.106 of the Land Use and Development Code continues to permit Residential Overlay districts within commercially zoned lands. If the project is composed of residential units only, the development must be constructed to medium or high density residential densities. On December 11, 2018, the City Council adopted Ordinance 1933 amending the zoning map from General Commercial to General Commercial with a Residential Overlay for the Pony Express Senior Housing Project located at 220 Aegean Way (APN 131-020-110).

H. 2 – I 7 - Support the development of Extremely Low Income rental housing by seeking additional funding sources from State and Federal resources.

HS

In 2018 the Rocky Hill Veterans Apartments were completed, which includes 14 units below 30% AMI. As a portion of the financing, the Vacaville Housing Authority applied and was awarded by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) 11 Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) Housing Choice Vouchers for the Rocky Hill Project to serve chronically homeless Veterans at 15% AMI. Other funding sources to support units below 30% AMI for this property were State Veterans Housing and Homeless Prevention (VHHP) program funds. Pony Express apartments, currently under construction, will provide 29 units to extremely low income seniors. Pony Express apartments is support with federal Project Based Housing Choice Vouchers. In 2021, City Council approved an agreement with Eden Oak Grove Investors, LP to develop city-owned property for 60 units of senior affordable housing. It is currently planned that some units will be available to extremely low income seniors. The City continues to negotiate with developers seeking funding from state and federal sources for affordable housing including units for extremely low income households.

H. 3 – I 11 - Continue to address the needs of local military personnel and their families.

HS & CD

An 8.4 acre property at Vanden Road was donated to the City for development of military housing. The City will continue to work on developing the property.

H. 1 – I 5 - Assist affordable housing developers to construct 472 new housing units affordable to households with incomes below 80 percent of median, with 90 percent of these units being affordable at 60 percent or below median, and 6 of these units being affordable to families with incomes below 30 percent of median.

HS & CD

Kimme's Place Apartments were completed in 2016. The project included 10 rehabilitated units and 56 demo/newly constructed units with affordability levels at 30%, 50% and 60% of Area Median Income. In 2017 the City entered into a Disposition Development and Loan Agreement with Petaluma Ecumenical Properties (PEP Housing) to develop city property for affordable housing. The development is currently under construction to provide 60 senior apartments to be affordable at: 29 at 30% AMI and 30 at 40% AMI. In 2018 Rocky Hill Veterans apartments were completed that includes: 24 units @ 60% AMI and 14 units @ 30% AMI. In 2021, City Council approved an agreement with Eden Oak Grove Investors, LP to develop city-owned property. The development is proposed to include 60 units of senior affordable housing. Affordability levels are proposed at or below 50% AMI. In 2020, City Council approved an Exclusive Negotiating Rights Agreement with CFY Development, Inc. to develop city-owned property as a mixed income affordable housing project. The development is planned for 135 units at or below 80% AMI. The City Council will consider an Agreement in early 2022. In 2020, City Council approved an Exclusive Negotiating Rights Agreement with Habitat for Humanity to develop affordable homeownership housing on City-owned property. The development is planned for a 14 unit residential subdivision comprised of 9 single-family homes and 5 accessory dwelling units. The 9 single-family homes will be sold to households earning at or less than 80% AMI. The City Council will consider a Disposition, Development and Loan Agreement in early 2022.

H. 1 – I 20 - Encourage energy conservation through energy-reducing landscaping, orientation and configuration of buildings, site, and other factors affecting energy use.

CD & PW

On August 11, 2015, the City Council approved the new General Plan. As part of this effort, the City Council also adopted a climate action plan entitled the Energy and Conservation Action Strategy (ECAS). The ECAS contains several greenhouse gas reduction measures that address reducing energy consumption through landscaping, orientation and configuration of building, and other factors affecting energy use.

H. 2 – I 6 - Assist in maintaining the affordability of units produced through federal and State programs by working with appropriate organizations to identify units, which may convert to market- rate units, analyzing the cost of keeping the units as affordable, and taking measures to ensure continued affordability or providing assistance to residents if the affordability of the units is removed.

HS

The City tracks affordable units produced through federal and State programs and actively seeks to provide assistance to maintain affordability for potentially expiring contracts. In 2020, Vaca Gables Apartments, a 65 unit affordable housing property was set to expire. Staff negotiated with the new owners to extend the existing City loan and afforability restriction while the owner seeks state tax credit and/or other funding to rehabilitate the property at which time the City affordability restriction will be extended an additional 55 years. In 2021, the City Council approved a new ownershiop entity, property management company, and accepted pay off of modified debt owned to the City as well as the sale of city-owned land to support the preservation of 134 affordable units at Lincoln Corner Apartments and 65 affordable units at Vacaville Meadows Apartments.

H. 3 – I 5 - Continue to provide mortgage subsidies to increase affordability to levels below 50 percent of median.

HS

During 2019, three HOME First-Time Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance first-time homebuyer loans were funded. In November 2020, the City was awarded $500,000 from the Department of Housing and Commuity Development (State) for a HOME First-Time Homebuyer program. The funding has been delayed by HCD and should be available in Spring 2022 to aid new homebuyers with down payment assistance.

H. 4 – I 2 - Evaluate the success of programs in meeting housing needs and goals in a regular and comprehensive fashion.

HS & CD

Through the Consolidated Annual Performance Evaluation Report (CAPER) for the City's Community Development Block Grant program, the City evaluates progress in meeting goals for affordable housing and improvements to areas identified as low- and moderate- income.

H. 1 – I 1 - Continue to use the Density Bonus provisions in the Land Use & Development Code to grant density bonuses above the State-mandated minimum in return for an increased share of affordable units.

CD & HS

In 2018, a 39 unit new affordable apartment complex, Rocky Hill Veterans Housing was completed. 14 units are available to extremely low income households, 24 to low income households, and 1 is a manager's unit. The property is zoned RH (High Density Residential), which allows a maximum density of 24.0 units per acre. The project was granted a density bonus of 5 units above the permitted density. This project also meets the housing needs of veterans - a special needs population identified by the Housing Element. Also in 2018 the City Council approved a Density Bonus request for The Pony Express Senior Affordable Housing development to increase the maximum allowable density from 24 du/ac to 33 du/ac, an approximately 37% increase from the maximum density. The application also included requests for exceptions to development standards for parking, fencing height and trash enclosure location. This project provides 59 units of rent restricted housing to seniors at or below 40% ami. 29 units are available to extremely low income seniors and 30 to 40% ami seniors. Construction commenced in July 2021 with an anticipated completion date of May 2023.

H. 2 – I 4 - Continue to enforce the Public Nuisance Ordinance (PNO) to encourage property maintenance and to promote improved quality of life in Vacaville’s communities.

FD

In 2021, Code Enforcement responded to 1,377 violation cases. These cases included: 10 animal related cases, 2 cannabis related cases, 62 graffiti related cases, 165 obstruction in the public right-of-way cases,19 site obstruction cases, 330 property maintenance cases, 94 vehicle boat trailer cases, 621weed abatement cases, 48 planning/zoning cases, and 11cases identified as "other."

H. 2 – I 8 - As funding permits, continue to Promote Community Viability through Comprehensive Neighborhood Revitalization in Target Areas.

HS

The City is a recipient of entitlement dollars from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. These funds are awarded annually with the goal to develop viable communities by providing decent housing, a suitable living environment, and opportunities to expand economic opportunities, principally for low- and moderate-income persons. In 2020, the City received a total of $821,286 in CDBG CARES funding to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. The City also received $541,748 for the 2021-2022 program year.

H. 3 – I 3 - Continue to support the Vacaville Community Welfare Association's (VCWA) emergency voucher and other emergency housing related programs.

PD

When funding is available, the Vacaville Police Department's Family Resource Center works in collaboration with the Vacaville Community Welfare Association to provide one-time assistance with emergency vouchers for food, gas, and prescriptions.

H. 3 – I 4 - Continue to operate and expand the HUD Housing Choice Voucher Program and other related rent subsidy programs.

HS

The Vacaville Housing Authority (VHA) is allocated 1,366 Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers that includes: 50 Family Unification Program (FUP) Vouchers awarded in 2011; 41 Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) Vouchers awarded in 2015, 2017, 2018 and 2020; 101 Mainstream Program (MS5) Vouchers awarded in 2019 and 2020; and 31 Emergency Housing Vouchers awarded in 2021. The City has taken therole as program administrator for CAP Solano, JPA, overseeing various private, state and federal grant programs that provide funding to non-profit agencies and other entities serving the homeless and those at risk of homelessness throughout Solano County, including Vacaville. Many of these programs include short to medium term rental assistance and rapid-rehousing.

H. 3 – I 6 - Continue to provide First Time Homebuyer opportunities through various funding mechanisms including down payment loans and homebuyers education activities.

HS

In 2020, the City was awarded $500,000 through the HOME program for First Time Homebuyer Loans for low-income individuals and families. The funding has been delayed from HCD and is anticipated to be available in Spring 2022 to aid new homebuyers with down payment assistance. The Vacaville Housing Counseling Center (VHCC) is a HUD certified Housing Counseling Agency. Housing Counseling services include: homebuyer education training and pre-purchase counseling to potential first-time and other homebuyers, non-delinquency post-purchase homeownership counseling for improving mortgage terms, workshops that provide a specialized curriculum in the areas of budget and credit and housing resources, and individual budget and credit counseling. Services are provided in both English and Spanish and are provided at no charge to the client. During the 2021 calendar year, VHCC was limited by COVID-19 and was unable to offer workshops; however, was able to served 28 clients with one-to-one counseling.

H. 3 – I 8 - As appropriate, work to ensure that new and rehabilitated affordable units, in particular multifamily units, are developed with supportive services, such as child care, English as a second language, and job training, nearby or as a component of the development.

HS

In 2018, the Rocky Hill Veterans Apartments were completed. The project includes on-site supportive services including: case management, job training, financial assistance classes, among other related courses targeted to meet the needs of all residents including the chronically homeless. Pony Express Senior Apartments, currently under construction, will include supportive services and an on-site services coordinator. In 2021, City Council approved an agreement with Eden Oak Grove Investors, LP to develop senior affordable housing on city-owned property. The development will include supportive services catered to the needs of the senior residents which may also include seniors with disabilities.

H. 3 – I 10 - Continue to conduct Code compliance activities to ensure vacant homes do not become nuisances and contribute to neighborhood blight.

FD

In 2021, Code Enforcement responded to 1,377 violation cases. These cases included: 10 animal related cases, 2 cannabis related cases, 62 graffiti related cases, 165 obstruction in the public right-of-way cases,19 site obstruction cases, 330 property maintenance cases, 94 vehicle boat trailer cases, 621weed abatement cases, 48 planning/zoning cases, and 11cases identified as "other."

H. 3 – I 13 - Continue to participate in the Community Action Partnership of Solano (CAP Solano) to oversee the development of the Homelessness Continuum of Care.

HS

A City representative currently serves on the CAP Solano Board and is the elected Secretary. The City is the Fiscal Agent and Program Grant Administrator for CAP Solano. A City representative also sits on the Continuum of Care Board, CAP Solano JPA Tripartite Advisory Board, and participate on various sub-committees.

H. 1 – I 9 - Identify sites that are appropriate for military families based at Travis Air Force base and work with Air Force housing officials and non-profit housing groups to build off-base housing units that are affordable to active military families at Travis Air Force Base.

CD, HS, & CMO

An 8.4 acre property at Vanden Road was donated to the City for development of military housing. The City will continue to work on developing the property.

H. 1 – I 17 - Implement California energy conservation standards.

CD

The Community Development Building Department continues to enforce energy conservation standards as part of the permitting process for all residential projects. As part of the General Plan Update process, the City adopted a climate action plan that includes policies addressing energy conservation.