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8.A. - Page 110 <br /> City could work with nonprofit affordable housing developers, who have considerable <br /> technical expertise in this area, to do further analysis on these opportunities sites. <br /> QUANTIFIED OBJECTIVES AND HOUSING PROGRAMS <br /> • The draft identifies HUD's Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program as an important <br /> component of meeting the housing needs of very -low income renters. However, the <br /> advantages of vouchers depend on the ability of voucher holders to locate a landlord <br /> who will accept the voucher. Especially after the cuts to the Section 8 program <br /> prompted by the federal budget sequester, finding landlords who will accept Section 8 <br /> vouchers creates a significant barrier for these members of the community. State law <br /> does not explicitly prohibit landlords from discriminating against Section 8 voucher <br /> holders, and the outright refusal of private landlords to accept Section 8 vouchers is a <br /> widespread problem affecting housing choice throughout California. The City should <br /> consider local ways to create viable housing choices for Section 8 voucher holders. For <br /> example, the draft could include a program for considering an ordinance to prohibit <br /> discrimination against Section 8 voucher holders. <br /> • We are happy to see that the City is in the process of developing a community benefits <br /> program, known as "Partnership RWC" (Program H -14). We urge the City to continue <br /> to consider the needs of all members of the community when determining incentives <br /> and benefits attached to future developments. <br /> • The draft mentions the increasing difficulty of housing opportunities for people with <br /> moderate or less incomes. While the draft includes programs to encourage and <br /> facilitate the construction and preservation of housing, the City should consider <br /> including programs that will also protect existing households, especially renters, who <br /> are at -risk of being displaced due to high housing costs. The City should include a <br /> program to, at a minimum, study the issues of displacement and develop appropriate <br /> policy responses. This is consistent with Government Code Section 65583(c)(4). <br /> Sincerely, <br /> Tracy Choi <br /> Housing Leadership Council of San Mateo County <br /> cc. Diana O'Dell, Senior Planner, City of Redwood City <br /> 3 HCD, Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing (2012), p. 13- 2 <br /> http: / /www.hcd.ca.gov /hpd /hrc /rep /fed /state of ca analysis of impediments full %2Oreport0912.pdf <br />