AgdaPkt 2014-10-20 Closed and Special Joint with SA_Revised_10_17_2014

Browse Search

8.A. - Page 1 REPORT To the Honorable Mayor and City Council From the City Manager October 20, 2014 SUBJECT Adoption of City of Redwood City 2015 -2023 Housing Element RECOMMENDATION Hold a public hearing and (1) Adopt the Negative Declaration for the City of Redwood City Housing Element and (2) Adopt the City of Redwood City 2015 -2023 Housing Element and (3) Direct staff to send the Element to the Department of Housing and Community Development for Certification. BACKGROUND Background: Redwood City Housing Programs For several decades, the City of Redwood City has adopted and implemented programs that have enabled the construction of housing at all income levels. Like all cities, however, the local programs that enable this construction must be done in accordance with State Law. For example, the Housing Element is required by the State of California to ensure that every city make its regional fair share of land available for residential development. The Housing Element identifies how and when the City's housing needs will be met. These Housing Element policies and programs are reviewed and approved by State Department of Housing and Community Development. The Housing Element is the only General Plan Element which is reviewed by the State, which reflects the importance the State of California places on housing. In the past, in addition to the Housing Element requirement, the State provided an important tool that enabled further construction of housing at all income levels. The tool was known as Redevelopment. Through Redevelopment, the City subsidized and participated in the construction of over 800 affordable units that still house Redwood City residents today. Unfortunately, Redevelopment was abolished by the State of California in 2012. California cities with Redevelopment Agencies are left to develop new practices and programs aimed at generating housing for all income levels within their respective communities. Few have implemented new programs and Redwood City is at the forefront of these efforts by generating new housing, keeping community members in place ", creating funding mechanisms and developing a new Partnership Redwood City program. These efforts will enable Redwood City to remain a leader creating a diverse housing stock in the region.