AFFORDABLE HOUSING WEEK EVENT - Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Free seminar for Tri-Valley businesses and other interested parties on "The Benefit of Meeting Employee Housing Needs." Click here for information.
FIRST-TIME HOME BUYER OPPORTUNITY - May 2012
The Tri-Valley Housing Opportunity Center (TVHOC) is currently accepting applications from interested households for several first-time home buyer opportunities offered through the Pleasanton Homeownership Assistance Program. Buyers must meet income and eligibility requirements and much enter into a resale restriction agreement with the City which establishes residency and other requirements and restricts the price and process for future resale. Click here for information.
Current Affordable Housing Activities
The following is a summary of several projects or activities which are currently underway or related to the City's efforts to promote affordable housing:
In 2000, the City's Housing Commission developed an Inclusionary Zoning Ordinance (IZO) which modified the City's requirements for the provision of affordable housing by the builders of new residential projects. With the increasing cost of housing in recent years and the diminishing availability of land, the Commission found it critical to increase the City's efforts to acquire affordable housing through new development. The IZO requires that any new single-family residential development of 15 units or more must provide at least 20% of its units at a below-market sales price (or at least 15% of the total units for multi-family developments). Developers must seek the approval of the City Council in order to utilize an alternative, such as payment of a fee in lieu of constructing the affordable housing. Click here to view the Inclusionary Zoning Ordinance.
 |
Ownership Housing |
The Tri-Valley Housing Opportunity Center (TVHOC), which opened in September 2005, recently relocated to 141 N. Livermore Avenue in downtown Livermore. The TVHOC is a new non-profit organization that was established through a collaborative effort involving the cities of Pleasanton, Dublin, Livermore, San Ramon, and Danville with initial financial support from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The Center offers classes on how to find, qualify for, and buy a home as well as credit counseling, financial preparation, and foreclosure counseling. Participants can also obtain information about local (City/County) and lender programs, including down payment assistance, first-time homebuyer programs, housing counseling, mortgage products and more. Additional information can be obtained by calling the Tri-Valley Housing Opportunity Center directly at 925-373-3130 (www.tvhoc.org).
In 2007, the City completed the sale of seven (7) below-market priced townhomes in the Birch Terrace neighborhood developed by Silverstone Communities on Vineyard Avenue and Birch Creek Drive in southeast Pleasanton. Prior to that project, 56 below-market priced duet homes were sold on the Bernal property south of the Alameda County Fairgrounds (Walnut Hills, Canyon Oaks, and Carlton Oaks). While there are currently no new below-market priced homes available for purchase, the City is always seeking opportunities to work with developers of new housing to set aside units at below-market sales prices as has been done in the past. The City works closely with the Tri-Valley Housing Opportunity Center to keep interested parties informed regarding future ownership housing opportunities both new and through resales (see contact information listed above).
|
Rental Housing |
In September 2008, the City approved the 350-unit "Stoneridge Station" apartment development on a site adjacent to the new West Dublin / Pleasanton BART station near Stoneridge Mall. The project is planned for development by Windstar Communities and will include 70 apartments for very low income households at 50% or less of the Area Median Income (AMI). Once construction has begun (the construction schedule has not yet been established), the developer will hold an application process for the below-market apartments. Updates will be posted on this web site as new information becomes available.
The development plan for the Bernal property (described above) also included a 100-unit apartment complex. This complex, called “The Kensington,” opened in 2002 and includes 31 below-market rate units that are being rented at rates considered affordable to low and very low income households. Leasing is administered directly through the on-site office (925-846-8882).
In 1997, the City Council approved the development plan for "Archstone Hacienda," a new 540-unit apartment complex that was recently completed on Owens Drive in Hacienda Business Park. The Council approved a partial waiver of City fees for the project, and the developer agreed to reserve 25% of the units (135 apartments) under the City's below-market rental program. This new apartment development began leasing in 1999. Additional information on the availability of the below-market rental apartments may be obtained by contacting Archstone Hacienda's leasing office at 925-398-7368.
Construction on the 146-unit Promenade Apartments (located at 5300
Case Avenue) was completed in 1997. The complex features a mix of one-, two, and three-bedroom apartments, and includes 68 units for rental by households whose incomes do not exceed 50% and 60% of the median income level for Alameda and Contra Costa counties. In addition, several apartments are reserved for rental by persons with physical and/or developmental disabilities. Information on future rental opportunities at The Promenade may be obtained by calling the leasing office at 925-461-1948.
|
Senior Housing |
 |
The Parkview assisted living facility, a 105-unit complex for senior citizens, opened in 2007. The facility offers housing with a range of services for seniors who need or desire assistance with "activities of daily living." The project is the result of a collaboration involving the City of Pleasanton, BRIDGE Housing Corporation (a nonprofit affordable housing developer), and Eskaton (an assisted living service provider). The City owns the 3.5 acre site located at 100 Valley Avenue (northwest corner of Sunol Blvd. and the former Junipero St.) and leases it to the owner at a rate of $1 per year in addition to providing other types of financial assistance.
A key feature of the Parkview is the significant component of below-market rate (BMR) units. A total of 31 of the 105 units in the complex have reduced rates targeted to a very low income (50% or less of the Area Median income, or AMI) and extremely low income (25% or less of AMI) senior citizens. The remaining 74 units are available at market rates. Monthly rates for the BMR units range from approximately $1,050 to $2,100 per month. In addition to their housing, residents of the BMR units receive, for the same flat monthly rate, a range of assisted living services based on individual need. The facility also includes a 19-unit "memory care" wing for seniors with Alzheimer's and other dementia conditions. One BMR space is available within the memory care wing.
Community interest in the Parkview has been very high. An initial leasing process for the BMR units was held in late 2006. On-going leasing of BMR units is coordinated directly by the on-site staff. For more information, contact The Parkview at 925-461-3042 or visit their web site at www.eskaton.org/parkview.html. Application documents for the BMR units and related information can be viewed or downloaded by clicking below:
In 2006, the City Council approved a new set of guidelines for the planning, design, and review of future senior housing developments in the City of Pleasanton. They represent preferred standards for senior housing design, features, safety-security, services, and operational considerations. The guidelines are intended to be an informal tool for local community groups, architects and developers of both private and nonprofit senior housing and by City staff involved in planning and development of senior housing in Pleasanton.
Click here to view and download the City's Senior Housing Guidelines. For questions or additional information concerning the guidelines, contact the City's Housing Division serickson@ci.pleasanton.ca.us at 925-931-5007.
In 2005, a new 172-unit development of "independent living" rental apartments for seniors aged 62 and older opened on the former Busch property in east Pleasanton. The project, called "The Gardens at Ironwood," is located on a 6 acre site located near Valley Ave. and Busch Rd. The complex includes 138 units at below-market rent levels that are considered affordable to seniors at 60% and 50% of the Area Median Income. The remaining 34 units are available at market rates. The development features one-bedroom (650 sq. ft.) and two-bedroom (805 sq. ft.) apartments. Second floor apartments are accessible via elevators. The complex also includes a 2,200 sq. ft. community room with attached manager's office, additional storage facilities, kitchen, and a patio seating area for residents. All units include private kitchens and patios or balconies. Several units are fully wheelchair accessible. The project developer, Ponderosa Homes, worked with the City to establish a transit service for residents. The application process for the below-market rate units is conducted on-site, and interested parties may contact FPI Management 1-888-210-8896 for leasing information.
Like many cities throughout the country, Pleasanton has a housing authority. Housing authorities are public corporations with boards appointed by the local government. Their mission is to provide affordable housing to low- and moderate-income people usually under the “Public Housing” model. Some housing authorities also provide other types of subsidized housing such as Section 8 rental vouchers. The Pleasanton Housing Authority is a small housing authority and does not have its own Section 8 program. All Section 8 assistance in Pleasanton is administered by the Housing Authority of the County of Alameda (HACA). Click here for more information on Section 8 rental assistance. The Pleasanton Housing Authority owns one Public Housing property, Kottinger Place, which provides 50 units of low-cost housing for very low income elderly persons. The application process for Kottinger Place is coordinated directly by the on-site management office (240 Kottinger Drive, Pleasanton; 925-846-0133). The current 5-Year Plan and Annual Agency Plan for the Pleasanton Housing Authority can be viewed here.
|
Housing Finance Programs |
In 2004, the City received an allocation of HELP (Housing Enabled by Local Partnership) funds from the California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA) to introduce a new Down Payment Assistance (DPA) program to low and moderate income buyers of homes in Pleasanton using matching City funds. The program currently provides up to $20,000 in down payment assistance for low- and moderate-income buyers. Assistance is in the form of a low-interest (3.5%) loan that is amortized over 20 years. Buyers are responsible for obtaining a first mortgage with a CalHFA-approved lender at a fixed interest rate with no negative amortization, balloon payment or adjustable rate features. Click on the links below to view and download the brochure, application, and detailed guidelines for the DPA program. For additional information, including the availability of funds, contact the City’s Housing Division at 925-931-5007.
(All pdf formatted files.)
The City maintains a Lower Income Housing Fee for residential and commercial development consistent with the City's Inclusionary Zoning Ordinance. The current fees are:
Lower Income Housing Fees Effective as of January 2012
(updated annually)
|
| Single Family Detached/unit |
$10,382 |
| Multi-Family (rental and ownership) and single family less than 1,500 square feet/unit |
$2,573 |
| Commercial, Office and Industrial per square foot |
$2.74 |
For additional important information, click here.
NOTE: It is illegal for any housing provider to discriminate on the basis of age, sex, race, physical handicap, marital status, sexual preference, or religion. If you have been unlawfully discriminated against, or you have questions about your rights, contact ECHO Housing at 510-581-9380 or 925-449-7340. |
 |
|
