Big news! We’ve added new housing program data - check them out under “Housing Programs” on each city page.
Housing programs are the strategies that cities and counties legally have at their disposal to produce more and preserve existing affordable housing, as well as protect existing residents from getting displaced from their homes and communities.
Local housing programs, as part of a housing element, have significant impacts on a city or county reaching its affordable housing goals. Each additional housing policy has a significant impact on the residents who are most in need of affordable housing. However, the number of programs that a jurisdiction includes in their housing element is not meant to imply how well a city or county is addressing local housing needs since the quality and impact of each will need to be determined as well.
Use the below data to explore this jurisdiction’s approaches to affirmatively furthering fair housing for the 6th element cycle, and review the actions, deliverables, and deadlines committed to for each program.
PROGRAM NUMBER | ACTIONS | DELIVERABLE | DELIVERABLE DATE |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? (7.1.a but crossed out) | Collaborate with the Danville Senior Commission to develop an outreach program to build awareness of age-friendly housing options and services, which may include Accessory Dwelling Units, home-sharing, downsizing, Universal Design standards, and more. | Study to begin in March 2029 and be complete and implemented as necessary by 9, 2029. | |
| ? (7.1.b but crossed out) | Meet with local advocates for children and adults with developmental disabilities, such as the Regional Center of the East Bay and others to more specifically understand housing needs for populations with developmental disabilities and how to inform housing providers to provide a portion of new affordable housing units for persons with disabilities. Discuss a plan to pursue funding sources designated for persons with special needs and disabilities to aid the development of housing units for this population. | Study to begin in March 2025 and be completed and implemented as necessary by September 2025 and pursue funding annually thereafter. | |
| 1.1.a | Given added impacts of new residential development on existing infrastructure, the Town must regularly identify where additional capital improvements are needed. On an annual basis, the Town Council will review the Town's Capital Improvement Program (CIP) to determine what special priorities are needed for capital improvement projects required to support existing and new residential and commercial development consistent with the General Plan, and in particular the Mobility Element. Review of the CIP shall also include verification that areas needing improvement are scheduled for funding to address these needs at a specific time in the future. This work will be completed with an AFFH lens to ensure that areas that are disproportionately impacted by a variety of housing needs are included in recommended improvements. | Annually. Staff prepares the Draft CIP between March and June, and the Town Council adopts it each June. | |
| 1.2.a | Nexus studies are required to set the fees the Town charges for new development to offset impacts to infrastructure the Town maintains, such as roadways, parks and storm drains. Many of the Town’s existing nexus studies are outdated and warrant updating to establish fees commensurate with present- day costs for labor and materials. Under a new state law, AB 602, jurisdictions are now required to update their development fees every 8 years. The Town will complete a comprehensive update of development impact fee nexus studies to ensure fees align with current costs for infrastructure maintenance. | Study to begin 10/24. Study to be adopted by the Council in June 2025 as part of the annual budget. | |
| 1.2.b | Tax districts can be an effective tool to generate local revenue dedicated to infrastructural improvements and maintenance. Because there are several kinds of special tax districts with a range of applicability, a study is needed to understand what tax districts would work best in the context of Danville and what would be needed to implement this kind of financing program. The Town will conduct a study to assess the efficacy of special tax districts to fund public services and infrastructure to support new development. The study will identify and analyze options appropriate for Danville and, if applicable, develop an implementation plan. | Study to begin in February 2030, and final study approval and implementation by December, 2030 | |
| 2.1.a | SB 35 requires cities review new multifamily residential developments against objective design standards to streamline project review and reduce overall development costs. The Town has adopted resolutions listing objective development standards and consolidating all applicable existing objective development standards from different ordinances within the Municipal Code. The Town is also working to complete a new Downtown Master Plan which will build off of the Town's 1986 Downtown Master Plan. Any new standards will also be codified within the Town's Downtown Business District Ordinance. In addition, the Town will develop written procedures for complying with SB 35 Streamlined Ministerial Approval Process to ensure compliance with State law. | Review underway, to be completed by January, 2025 | |
| 2.1.b | The Town has seen several mixed use commercial/residential development in the downtown area in the last five years. While there are a number of underutilized properties in the downtown area, in order to preserve the pedestrian character of the downtown area, the Town desires to maintain a ground floor commercial presence along the street, with residential units above and behind. The Town will conduct a study of the economic feasibility of mixed use commercial and residential development to determine the economic feasibility and determine the most appropriate development standards and other policies to encourage this type of development where appropriate. Goal: facilitate the development of five new mixed use projects with residential components achieving at least 30 du/ac in the Downtown over the eight years. | Study to start 1/26 and be completed and implemented though revision to the Town Code (if necessary) by September, 2026 | |
| 3.1.a | Project-level review of environmental impacts of new housing developments is required under the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA"). The Town shall follow CEQA procedures to expedite permit processing for all development, including encouraging preliminary project review by staff and considering the use of mitigated negative declarations, focused EIR’s and other procedures to adequately assess environmental impacts, suitable mitigations, and reduce project delays where appropriate. | Ongoing | |
| 3.1.b | Efforts towards promoting energy conservation in housing is a requirement under State Housing Element Law. The Town will review and consider efforts within other Contra Costa County communities that have or plan to institute energy efficiency standards beyond those of the California building and residential codes by requiring electrification of new residential developments in lieu of natural gas or oil. The Town will review these efforts and consider implementation of similar requirements for development in Danville. | Study to Begin 1/25 and be completed and implemented though revision to the Town Code as found necessary by September 2024 | |
| 3.1.c | Offer incentives to property owners whose buildings exceed minimum CalGreen requirement, such as obtain a U.S Green Building Council Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Certification, Build-It-Green Point Rated Certification (GPR), or a self-certification equivalent. Incentives may include granting Environmental Awards of Excellence and posting details of the building on the Town’s website, inclusion of the project on a tour highlighting outstanding environmental stewardship or technology, and providing plaques certifying that the building exceeds the Town's minimum green building standards. | Annually, ongoing | |
| 3.1.d | Continue water conservation efforts, such as ongoing implementation of the Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance, continue to explore addition options for supply and use of reclaimed water, and to work with EBMUD related to customer outreach and education for reduction of water usage. | Ongoing | |
| 4.1.a | In compliance with SB 166 to ensure No Net Loss of sites available to meet the RHNA, to support the required findings when development of any parcel with fewer units by income category than identified in the housing element for that parcel and to demonstrate progress towards the RHNA, a “Housing Impact Statement” will be included in all staff reports for discretionary land use and planning decisions. This statement will expressly state how proposed actions meet the Town’s housing goals and affirmatively furthers fair housing to encourage integrated and balanced living patterns. The statement will also describe any potential impacts that proposed actions may have on the Town’s housing supply and the provision or loss of affordable housing. | Ongoing | |
| 4.1.b | Create a webpage specific to fair housing including resources for residents who feel they have experienced discrimination, information about filing fair housing complaints with County’s fair housing service provider (Echo Housing), the State Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) or the Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO) of HUD, and information about protected classes under the Fair Housing Act. Ensure that lower income groups and special needs groups and their advocates are advised of this information. | To be completed by December, 2024 | |
| 6.1.a | Develop Conditions of Approval for new multi-family residential development to include conditions that include, but are not limited to, the following: 1.) An ongoing condition to require all developers creating affordable housing with deed restrictions to include language in agreements with the Town permitting persons and households eligible for HUD Section 8 rental assistance or Housing Voucher Folders to apply for below-market-rate units consistent with Federal Fair Housing regulations; 2.) Deferral of development fees to certificate of occupancy for projects including 15% or more affordable units to reduce overall development costs; 3.) The owner/applicant will provide documentation the tenant was offered first right of refusal pursuant to SB 330 provisions prior to issuance of a building permit. | Study will begin in June, 2026, and be completed and implemented through code amendments (if necessary) by December 2026. | |
| 6.1.b | Due to the high land and construction costs in Danville, development of deeply affordable housing (extremely low-income, low-income) is generally financially infeasible without significant subsidization. Since the dissolution of the Redevelopment Agency, the Town no longer has access to millions of dollars from the state to contribute towards development. The Town has an existing Housing Trust Fund with limited funds and needs to find ongoing sources of revenue to provide meaningful financial support towards the production of affordable housing to meet its RHNA goals and affirmatively further fair housing through increased access to housing and high resource areas. Use and allocation of existing and future funds will be determined as part of this program, which may include supporting the rehabilitation of existing multifamily residential properties among other activities. The Town will create a plan to utilize existing funds in the Town's Housing Trust Fund and review potential additional sources for ongoing revenues, such as commercial development linkage fees or real estate transfer tax, to subsidize and support access to affordable housing opportunities. The plan will take into consideration the needs of lower-income groups, including those with special needs. Lastly the Town will pursue additional funding at the state and federal level and assist developers of affordable housing in accessing those funds. | Study to begin in June, 2025, and be completed and implemented through code amendments (if necessary, December, 2025) Annually review of funding available and outreach to developers | |
| 6.1.c | The Town’s Inclusionary Housing Ordinance requires projects with 8 or more units to provide a minimum of 10% or 15% (for developments greater than 20 units per acre) moderate income affordable units. The Town will conduct a study with the intent on amending the Inclusionary Housing Ordinance to require that affordable units be required to be low-income units. In addition, the Town will review the possibility of accepting affordable housing in-lieu fees for applicable applications. As part of this effort, the Town will conduct a feasibility analysis to determine in-lieu fee options and other compliance mechanisms, such as off-site development and land dedication. | Study to begin in June 2024, and to be completed and implemented by January 2025 | |
| 6.1.d | Land costs and basic construction costs for residential developments have rapidly increased, which has in turn increased the cost of housing. Costs associated with the provision of parking may result in fewer total units or prevent the financial feasibility of development. Additionally, how people travel continues to change as more focus is being placed on alternative modes of transportation such as bikes and rideshares and remote work. The Town's parking standards are the same town wide, regardless of location. To ensure that parking requirements are not a constraint on development, the Town will reduce parking requirements for multifamily housing based on density and location. In addition, multifamily housing located near I 680 and/or bus lines will be reduced. Finally, senior housing and housing for persons with disabilities will be given lower parking requirements. Goal: reduce parking requirements for five multifamily housing developments over the eight years. | New parking standards to be implemented by November, 2025 | |
| 6.1.e | The Town incentivizes the consolidation of lots for the development of housing, primarily through reviewing lot mergers through a ministerial process. This process reduces the time and effort required to combine lots for the development review process. Given that many of the largest parcels in the downtown area have already been redeveloped, most new development will require the consolidation of multiple lots, which the Town aims to streamline to promote the production of housing. To further incentivize the consolidation of lots, the Town will review the Master Fee Schedule and consider reducing or waiving processing fees for muti-family housing developments. The Town will also facilitate lot consolidation by maintaining contact with property owners and to direct interested developers to parcels with the potential for lot consolidation. In addition, the Town will initiate a development feasibility study relate to the North Hartz area of Danville, where many of the smaller lot housing sites are located. The study will review land costs, development costs, loan costs, and rental income related to consolidation and development in the area. The study will document the possible investment return for redevelopment in the area. The Town will meet with property owners in the area and share this data in an effort to facilitate consolidation and redevelopment. Goal: facilitate the development of approximately 500 lower-income multifamily units by waiving lot consolidation fees and providing other incentives over the eight years. | To be implemented by the end of 2025 | |
| 6.1.f | The Town will ensure ongoing compliance with transparency laws by listing all fees, as well as all zoning and development standards, and other requirements for each parcel on the Town’s website pursuant to Government Code section 65940.1(a)(1). | To be completed by October 2024 | |
| 6.1.g | The Town will amend the zoning for sites owned by the Community Presbyterian Church to allow for the redevelopment of currently low density single family to multifamily high/medium density, at the request of the Church. Specifically, the Town will amend the General Plan land use map for the site from Residential – Single Family – Low Density (1-3 units/acre) to Multifamily High/Medium Density (20-25 units /acre) and Rezone the site from P-1; Planned Unit Development with R-12; Single Family Residential zoning district development standards to M-25; Multifamily Residential District. Goal: facilitate the development of 115 units of housing serving lower income households. | Rezoning to be completed by May 1, 2024 |