Project Title: 2021-2029 Housing Element Management & Implementation Services

Environmental Science Associates

Details
Project Title 2021-2029 Housing Element Management & Implementation Services
Project Topics Urban Planning
Skills & Expertise
Project Synopsis: Challenge/Opportunity
The City of Alhambra, CA is in the final stages of updating its Housing Element (HE) and is contracting with ESA to oversee and manage the HE's 40 Implementation Programs, including successfully completing them within the timeframes
specified in the HE.  This
effort requires a team that is well-versed in State housing law and is capable of deeply engaging in all aspects of the HE management
process to ensure that the Programs are completed successfully within the specified time frames. This project also includes developing an efficient system to track priorities, tasks and the status of each
Program that can be used by the team and City staff for annual reporting to the State on the progress of the HE.
Project Synopsis: Activities/Actions Required
This is a 5.5-year project that will require the consistent and ongoing tracking and execution of HE program-specific tasks that range in objectives and complexity.  Below are some of the activities/action items that will need to be completed to successfully achieve project outcomes:
1. A Living Resource Guide for Ongoing Technical Assistance. With input from City staff, we will develop and maintain a resource guide that includes up-to-date information on relevant regulations, strategies for acquiring at-risk housing units, detailed financing and funding opportunities to support Program implementation effectively, and other
information as needed to be prepared for ongoing technical assistance throughout Program implementation.

2. Program Tracking Dashboard. We will develop and maintain a comprehensive online dashboard for tracking, monitoring and reporting that includes key performance indicators (KPIs) for each
Housing Program. The dashboard will display data primarily in table and chart formats with map displays
where important for understanding. Each Program identifies Potential Metrics for Monitoring. These would provide the basis for establishing a data collection plan, database structure, and a dashboard design that is easy to navigate and allows users to interact with the data to quickly obtain desired information for monitoring all aspects of Program implementation on an ongoing basis. 

3. Community Engagement Strategy. In consultation with city staff and our subconsultants, we will prepare a community engagement approach to consolidating engagement efforts across Programs in order to maximize their effectiveness and minimize community and stakeholder fatigue. The engagement approach will include: 
  • Proposed grouping of Program outreach activities to reinforce common goals across Programs and receive input that can advance multiple Programs at once.
  • A master engagement schedule that provides key milestones and tentative outreach dates to know when to launch preparation and noticing periods for upcoming activities. This will be updated on an ongoing basis but be initially prepared for the upcoming year.
  • A master stakeholder list of key groups, stakeholders, landlords, developers, financial institutions, etc. that can be contained and updated in one place and referred to when distributing advertisements, notices and invitations to outreach activities.
  • Engagement preparation checklists and presentation templates that can be referred to and utilized to ensure a consistent process and messaging throughout the length of the project. This will include but not be limited to types of activities, communication and messaging strategies, presentation and messaging templates, targets and measures of success, etc.
4. Program Specific Tasks. There are 40 HE programs at various stages of implementation, from not started to in progress to complete. Our role is to advance each program to meet HE deadlines.  We have a detailed scope of work that outlines the details of each Program, including the goal, objective, responsible agency, status, deadline, potential metrics for monitoring and annual report content, and program-specific tasks.

The tasks for each Housing Program range. Below are a summary of the types of tasks involved in HE Program implementation.  
  • Advertising support - to inform the public and developers of incentives for building affordable housing.
  •  Feasibility analysis - for purchasing foreclosed or auctioned residential properties; for implementing a fee incentive Program to assist in supporting development of targeted housing types; for developing residential along corridors and in high density residential areas.
  • Technical assistance - to developers, nonprofit organizations, etc. to assist with development applications, grant applications, regulatory requirements, and understanding housing development incentives, to facilitate housing development efficiently, including for special needs groups. An example includes assisting with the adaptive reuse strategies for existing commercial buildings.
  • Community engagement-- with the public and stakeholders to preserve and expand affordable housing in the City, improve programs, assess interest, increase awareness, and understand barriers and opportunities for housing construction. 
  • Zoning Ordinance Evaluation - to assess the effectiveness of regulation on affordable housing construction and make recommendations to further remove barriers as needed. 
  • General Research -   many Programs require research. Research topics include: investigating existing local hire policies in other jurisdictions to determine their effectiveness to housing development; researching workforce housing programs; researching potential and existing funding sources at all levels;  understanding the best practices, challenges, and opportunities in lot assemblage for multifamily housing development; evaluating development opportunities at specific sites including an assessment of current market conditions; researching funding opportunities to subsidize seismic upgrades and retrofit requirements; researching successful amnesty programs to legalize unpermitted accessory dwelling units (ADUs); researching and recommending potential financial incentives to encourage the development of affordable ADUs; exploring alternatives to mitigate rent increases affecting lower-income residents; reviewing other city ordinances that have successfully implemented SB9 and identify areas within the city that can be subject to SB9 based on geographic, environmental, and zoning criteria.
  • Public Hearings - preparation and attendance at public hearings with the Planning Commission and/or City Council to revise ordinances, adopt programs, present research findings, etc.
Project Synopsis: Expected Results
Completing each program on time and within budget in a way that maximizes the protection and development of affordable housing in the City would be a measure of success.  For each Housing Program we have identified specific metrics for monitoring and reporting the success of the Program, including 67 metrics total.  Below are a subset of those metrics that will go into annual reporting of the HE to the State:

  • Number of applications received for Minor and Major Housing Rehabilitation components
  • Number of households served under each component
  • Measures of energy efficiency improvements achieved (e.g., reduction in energy consumption, installation of energy-efficient appliances).
  • Number of code enforcement inspections conducted
  • Number of properties brought into compliance as a result of enforcement actions
  • Total number of violations identified versus violations resolved
  • Number of at-risk units monitored annually and actions taken to preserve them
  • Funding applications submitted and awarded for preservation activities
  • Partnerships formed or maintained with nonprofit organizations for the purpose of preserving affordable housing
  • Number of households receiving Housing Choice Vouchers
  • Increase in landlords accepting vouchers
  • Total number of development projects annually and of those, number of affordable housing units developed through the Inclusionary Housing Ordinance annually (including income levels), and number of development projects opting for in-lieu fee
  •  Number of residential units demolished and replaced annually
  •  Number of housing projects initiated by religious institutions as a result of outreach
  •  Number of workforce housing units developed
  •  Number of local workers served and satisfaction effectiveness
  •  Utilization rate of financial resources and incentives for workforce housing
  •  Amount of funding secured for affordable housing projects
  •  Number of grant applications submitted and awarded
  •  Increase in affordable housing units produced as a result of approved density bonus applications
  •  Number of lots assembled as a result of the program
  •  Number of multifamily housing projects initiated on assembled lots
  •  Number of ADUs applying for amnesty program
  •  Number of ADUs by type (stand alone ADU, JADU, garage conversion, etc) and income level
  •  Number of units constructed under the new SB9 ordinance

Project Timeline

Touchpoints & Assignments Date Type

Program Kickoff

Sep 09 2024 Event

Teams

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