CCMIN 10192021 - Laserfiche WebLink

The Preliminary Report was discussed with both the Housing Commission and Planning Commission and they requested a better description of the nature of homeless issues in the City, a discussion of how LIHF are allocated, and additional data on the unit mix by the number of bedrooms built in the last Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) cycle. The commissions also requested additional information on employed residents including their commutes, where people employed in Pleasanton tend to live, and a comparison to comparable nearby cities. Public comments include a need for the Housing Element to better address the City's jobs-to-housing balance, more data correlating wages and affordability in Pleasanton, additional information on Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU), and a more expansive discussion of housing constraints. Associate Planner Jennifer Hagen reported policy items staff plans to bring to City Council during the spring include additional programs or efforts to address homelessness, a review of the LIHF and other fees, addressing "affordability by design," consideration of housing types for the "missing middle," and a streamlining of ADUs including pre-approved designs. Staff will also bring to City Council potential new funding sources for low-income housing, incentives to encourage 100% affordable projects, and evaluation of unique financing programs such as the California Statewide Communities Development Authority's (CSCDA) Workforce Housing Program, and a review of the City's Inclusionary Zoning Ordinance (IZO). Associate Planner Hagen reported the Housing Commission and Planning Commission recommended policy discussions refocusing resources on programs providing the greatest benefit to the largest numbers, incentivizing tiny home projects, ADU fee reductions if the units are deed-restricted at lower income levels, prioritizing projects with a higher percentage of affordable units than the IZO's requirements, utilizing additional regional or State funding sources, and prioritizing the missing middle and affordable by design units. Following this meeting, staff intends to continue reviewing existing and pipeline sites, gap analysis, and potential sites to be included in the site inventory. After community meetings and presentations to the Housing Commission and Planning Commission, staff will present into City Council for the initial site selections. She encouraged residents to get involved in the process. In response to Councilmember Balch, Director Clark explained the requested homeless data can help inform the program and policies in the Housing Element by filling in gaps in the City's data. She noted housing insecurity is a complicated issue as people move in-and-out of homelessness and the commissions would like a better understanding of how it interrelates to housing needs. In response to Councilmember Balch, Director Clark reported staff could analyze the labor market and length of commutes as requested by the commissions, but the answer will likely be what they already know about the existence of a job imbalance in Pleasanton. She noted there would likely be a point of diminishing returns relative to this data. She does not recommend the study and has concerns about available resources to do so. In response to Councilmember Balch, Director Clark confirmed the LIHF and other City programs support people in housing and not just for the construction of housing. She noted it helps prevent residents from being evicted and increases the stability of residents in their existing homes. In response to Councilmember Balch, Director Clark confirmed there has been a large uptick in the senior population since the start of the last housing cycle but could not confirm an increase of 149% since 2000. Mayor Brown advised they opened the Stoneridge Creek Senior Living Center after 2000 so this level of increase is possible. City Council Minutes Page 9 of 14 October 19,2021