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Following the City Council meeting, staff will review all suggested items for inclusion in <br />the background report and evaluate which are feasible to provide based on available <br />information from the Census, Department of Finance, and California Economic <br />Development Department (EDD), and other sources, and that would most effectively <br />characterize local housing needs. <br />Staff notes that much of the graphic data in the form of bar charts, etc. is taken directly <br />from a comprehensive data package, pre -approved by HCD and provided to each Bay <br />Area jurisdiction by ABAG/MTC. For that reason, staff does not recommend data formats <br />be substantially altered, although there may be some opportunity to provide <br />complementary tables or to better explain data in the text of the report. And, although <br />some of the suggested information is readily available, certain requests such as a fine- <br />grained matching of local employment and wage data and a comparison of local housing <br />unit availability and costs would involve an extensive research effort that is beyond the <br />Housing Element scope of work and available resources. <br />Nonetheless staff expects there will be additional data points to help inform the policy and <br />program components of the Housing Element, to be brought forward in the spring as part <br />of a more comprehensive response and update at that time. <br />POTENTIAL FUTURE POLICY DISCUSSION ITEMS <br />As noted in the background section, staff has provided these initial sections of the <br />Preliminary Report by way of background and supporting information as the City engages <br />with the next phases of the Housing Element Update, and to provide an opportunity for <br />questions and early input/discussion in order to streamline future review of the Housing <br />Element prior to its adoption. <br />The City Council is also requested to provide input on an initial list of policy items <br />identified below, including topics that it may wish to suggest should be studied or further <br />evaluated as part of the Housing Element Update. <br />The list below identifies areas or topics that have risen in interest or concern since the last <br />Housing Element Update or that have been mentioned in prior discussions with City <br />Commissions and/or the City Council. These topics could be considered in future <br />discussions for new or modified goals, policies, or programs. Staff expects that more in- <br />depth policy discussions and decisions, leading to draft goals, policies, and programs will <br />be presented to the Housing Commission, Planning Commission and City Council in <br />spring 2022, focused on these and/or any other items the City Council indicates are of <br />importance: <br />• Additional programs or strategic efforts to address homelessness in the <br />community; <br />• Review of the Lower Income Housing Fee (LIHF) and other City fees to ensure <br />development addresses the demands it may create for affordable housing; <br />Page 10 of 13 <br />