Redwood City Housing Updates-May 2019
Learn about several housing policies under consideration, and housing projects planned or underway
Affording a home in Redwood City and the broader Bay Area is becoming increasingly more challenging. Achieving housing security for all in the community is a focus for the City Council and is why their top priority for the coming year is housing, followed closely by transportation and children and youth.
We are all connected. What happens to one part of the community impacts us all. Safe and affordable housing is important to our community’s well-being. There are several housing policy discussions under consideration planned and projects planned or underway to help address this regional issue.
This blog provides updates on housing priorities and online resources to find out more.
MOSAIC GARDEN AT FRIENDLY ACRES APARTMENT AFFORDABLE HOUSING APPLICATION OPPORTUNITY
The Housing Authority of the County of San Mateo will be accepting online applications between June 3, 2019 and June 14, 2019 for the Mosaic Garden Project-Based affordable housing wait list. Mosaic Garden is located at 3770 Rolison Road in Redwood City. This affordable housing preservation project received a commitment by the City of Redwood City to provide a loan to MidPen Housing of $1.1M to move forward with the acquisition and rehabilitation of these apartments. With the exception of one one-bedroom unit, all units at Mosaic Garden are studios. MidPen Housing’s property rehabilitation is estimated to be completed in late September 2019.
Interested applicants may register online at www.mysmchousing.com during the application period.
For other resources to help locate affordable housing, go here.
ARROYO GREEN APARTMENTS GROUND-BREAKING
To celebrate Affordable Housing Week in Redwood City a ground-breaking of the Arroyo Green Apartment affordable housing project was held on May 7 where community leaders, the Mayor, Vice Mayor and several City Council members and MidPen Housing celebrated the construction of 117 affordable units for seniors, with open space and a child care center in the Downtown neighborhood.
For more about this project, go here.
HALLMARK APARTMENTS (531 WOODSIDE ROAD) UPDATE
After several years of construction rebuilding delays of the Hallmark Apartments, the owner reported they reached an agreement with their limited partner to buy them out of the partnership and commence with the rebuild. Tax-exempt bonds and tax credit financing will be the primary funding source to finance the rebuild, which was approved by the City Council in early February. All 72 units will remain affordable. KDF Communities-Hallmark LLC expects to begin construction soon, once City Building and Fire officials approve their construction plans. Looking forward to the anticipated construction, the affordability of the apartments will continue as before the fire: 30% of the units would be affordable to very low-income households. The reconstruction plans will include 71 one-bedroom units and one studio.
For more go here.
OTHER AFFORDABLE HOUSING MILESTONES
In other affordable housing news, the City Council approved the use of $6 million in affordable housing funds to support two 100% affordable housing projects located at 353 Main Street (ROEM Development) and 612 Jefferson (Habitat for Humanity). As proposed, the ROEM Development would include 62 low-income units and 63 very-low income units. The Habitat for Humanity project is a for-sale project and includes 20-units.
In addition, the City Council recently approved the Broadway Plaza mixed use project which includes 520 residential units of which 120 units are very low and low-income. The project is a mix of residential, retail, office and will offer a childcare facility.
For current projects by type, go here.
HOMELESS PROGRAMS GET THE GO AHEAD
The Housing and Homeless Innovation Team (HHIT), a multi-department group created by the City Manager, was tasked with identifying existing services provided to homeless residents by the City of Redwood City, the County of San Mateo and other non-profit agencies supporting homeless services. HHIT presented their report to City Council on March 11, 2019 that included the recommendation for a Downtown Streets Team pilot program and a Housing Locator Assister pilot program. The City Council recently adopted the pilot programs and program development is currently underway.
The Downtown Streets Team would create a program for homeless individuals where they clean-up and provide maintenance of the Downtown and in turn, they earn a stipend, job skills, vital health services and case management, with the goal of transitioning to full-time employment within one year. The Housing Locator Assister will develop relationships with landlords and support community members who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless by assisting them in finding housing.
For the City’s human services website, go here.
UPCOMING CITY COUNCIL CONVERSATIONS ABOUT HOUSING
JOIN THE CONVERSATION AT THE CITY COUNCIL BUDGET STUDY SESSION ON JUNE 10
Join the City Council as they discuss the proposed FY 2019–20 Budget. This study session is one of two public meetings coming up about the City’s annual budget process. The proposed budget will include a focus on the City Council’s top three priorities including housing, transportation, children and youth.
Following the June 10 study session, the City Council will consider adoption of the budget on June 24.
City Council meetings are held in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 1017 Middlefield Road, Redwood City and are open to the public. The Council Meetings are televised live to Redwood City residents on Astound Broadband cable Channel 26 and Comcast cable Channel 27, AT&T U-verse Channel 99, and are streamed live as well as archived on the web, here.
For details about the FY 2019–20 budget, go here.
NEIGHBORHOOD DESIGN INCLUDING ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT AMENDMENTS FOR COUNCIL CONSIDERATION
The City is preparing a series of proposed zoning amendments to address concerns around height and privacy of second-story accessory dwelling units (ADU), and exploring ways to incentivize one-story ADUs. These concerns stemmed from recent changes in the ADU regulations due to state law requirements. These draft amendments will be tentatively considered by the Planning Commission this June and considered by the City Council this summer.
To read a blog about these proposed changes, go here. For more information about the City’s ADUs, go here.
OTHER HOUSING RESOURCES
HOUSING RESOURCE GUIDE
The City has also developed and launched an online Housing Resource guide in English and Spanish. One of the themes from the housing conversations was the need for resources to support short-term housing challenges. In response to this input, this guide provides resources for the community around housing and housing services.
The guide can be found here.
EMAIL NOTIFICATION SIGN-UPS
If you would like to be notified about opportunities to apply for below market rate/affordable housing units for rent and/or for sale within one of the new developments currently under construction, please email the City and provide your email address. Once signed-up, community members will be notified when a developer begins marketing the affordable units and accepting applications. Interested community members will need to submit an application directly to the property management company.
FINDING AFFORDABLE HOUSING
For a list of online resources to locate affordable housing, go here.
HOME IMPROVEMENT LOANS
Do you need help with home improvement projects? The City offers low interest property improvement loans to Redwood City home owners and owners of rental property located in Redwood City. Go here for more.
