Response From City of Lafayette

R1

Each city and the County should consider assigning a staff position with clear leadership, ownership and accountability to achieve allocated RHNA targets. The individual in this position would be responsible for establishing and promoting an operational plan to achieve the RHNA goals set forth in the housing element plan. The recommendation has been implemented. California's Housing Element Law acknowledges that, in order for the private market to adequately address the housing needs and demands of Californians, local governments must adopt plans and regulatory systems that provide opportunities for, and do not unduly constrain, housing development. Cities and Counties are not responsible for the development and construction of housing to achieve the allocated RHNA targets. Instead, they are responsible for the effective implementation of their housing elements and housing programs to address constraints to housing and for tracking and reporting the jurisdiction's progress toward achieving their RHNA. Lafayette's Planning & Building Department is assigned with the responsibility of the above tasks. September 11, 2023 City Council

R2

Each city and the County should report AH progress and lack of progress using data across all four measured income groups. Special attention should be paid to tracking the housing needs of residents categorized as very low- and low-income. Cities and the County should communicate their progress biannually, against RHNA targets at council and supervisor Meetings. The recommendation has been implemented. State Law (§65400) requires each jurisdiction to prepare an annual progress report (APR) on the status and progress in implementing its housing element using forms and definitions adopted by the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD). The APR allows HCD to track the progress of the implementation of a jurisdiction's Housing Element and requires its submission as a threshold requirement for several State housing funding programs. Government Code §65400 requires the planning agency to provide this report to the legislative body (i.e., local Council or Board), HCD, and OPR by April 1 of each year (covering the previous calendar year). APRs must be presented to the local legislative body for its review and acceptance on a regular meeting agenda.

R3

Each city and the County should consider creating a dedicated AH commission comprised of a multi-disciplinary team of diverse citizens and led by a current, nonelected, city expert in planning. Each commission would be charged with providing a community voice in the process and helping to identify and address obstacles that hinder the development of affordable housing projects in their community. The recommendation will not be implemented. The City of Lafayette already has two bodies charged with providing a community voice in the process and helping to identify and address obstacles that hinder the development of affordable housing projects in their community. The General Plan Advisory Committee and the Planning Commission are comprised of multi-disciplinary and diverse citizens who provide a community voice in the process of developing the City's Housing Element and implementation programs, including identifying and addressing obstacles that hinder the development of affordable housing. Creation of yet an additional body would be redundant and place further strain on limited City resources to address State mandates and the substance of the matter, with no evidence that such a body would be more effective in reaching the desired outcomes. While we do not intend to pursue the recommended dedicated AH commission, Lafayette values the underlying principle of community engagement and recognize the importance of community input in the decision-making process. We will continue to expand on strategies that promote transparency, inclusivity, and community-driven solutions for affordable housing development in our city. September 11, 2023 City Council

R4

Each city and the County should consider reviewing existing processes and identifying changes that would address or resolve the specific obstacles identified in this report that hinder achieving RHNA allocation targets for very low- and low-income housing in their Community. The recommendation has been implemented. Comprehensive Process Review: As required by State Law, the City of Lafayette has reviewed existing processes and identified programs to address constraints to development through the Housing Element's Constraints and Zoning Analysis Section. This includes a thorough review of existing processes related to affordable housing development, permitting, and zoning regulations. This review aimed at identifying any inefficiencies or barriers ("constraints") that may contribute to the challenges in meeting RHNA allocation targets.

R5

Each city and the County should consider developing a public dashboard to report progress against RHNA targets. The recommendation has been implemented. The City of Lafayette prepares an annual progress report (APR) on the status and progress of implementing our housing element using forms and definitions adopted by the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD). (Government Code Section 65400.) Each APR must be submitted to HCD and the Governor's Office of Planning and Research (OPR) by April 1, covering the previous calendar year. The City posts these reports online and HCD additionally compiles and showcases all APRs through their interactive digital data dashboard with downloadable data sets.

R6

Each city and the County should consider, in their individual Housing Element plans, putting forth land zoned "suitable for residential use," without development obstacles, and located strategically close to existing services, for AH purposes. The recommendation has been implemented. As required by State Law, the City of Lafayette has prepared a site inventory identifying land suitable and available for residential development to meet our regional housing needs by income level. Please see the response to Finding 6(a) for details. Further, in addressing HCD's Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH) requirements there is a thorough review of the site selection via the Tax Credit Allocation's Committee (TCAC) Resource Map that designates areas of low-, moderate-, high-, and highest-resource within Lafayette.

R7

Each city and the County should consider reviewing their zoning policies to identify restrictive zoning policies unique to their jurisdiction that impede AH projects and consider making zoning changes in light of that review that will support AH in their community. The recommendation has been implemented. September 11, 2023 City Council Through the Housing Element process, the City of Lafayette has reviewed its zoning policies and identified potential affordable housing development constraints. The Housing Element Program Section outlines forthcoming changes to zoning policies with specified timeframes to address the identified constraints.

R8

Cities should consider adopting an inclusionary housing ordinance as part of their standard development policy (if not already in place). The recommendation has been implemented. The City of Lafayette has required inclusionary housing since it established a Redevelopment Agency in 1994. After the State disbanded redevelopment as a tool to provide affordable housing, the City adopted a local inclusionary housing ordinance set forth in Chapter 6-37 of the Lafayette Municipal Code.

R9

Each city and the County should consider how to prioritize the implementation of housing projects that promote development of very low- and low-income housing. The recommendation has been implemented. Lafayette prioritizes the review and permitting process for affordable housing projects, expediting the approval timeline. This aims to minimize delays and facilitate the construction of housing units for low- income residents more efficiently. The City also supports eligible projects using CEQA streamlining provisions including infill exemptions. The City has programs in the Housing Element to reduce impact fees for ADUs to incentivize their construction, and to reduce or defer fee collection for multi-family affordable housing projects.

R10

Each city and the County should consider prioritizing Measure X funding requests that support projects that address RHNA targets for very low- and low-income residents. Each city and County should consider reporting regularly to their residents on the use of Measure X funds for such purposes. The recommendation has not yet been implemented. Measure X is a countywide 20-year, 1/2 cent sales tax approved by Contra Costa County voters on November 3, 2020 "to keep Contra Costa's regional hospital open and staffed; fund community health centers, emergency response; support crucial safety-net services; invest in early childhood services; protect vulnerable populations; and for other essential county services." Under the Measure X Program Allocation Summary, only $10 million dollars (about 13% of FY 2022-23 funding and about 4.5% of total funding) were allocated to a Local Housing Trust Fund; for FY 2023-24, $12 million dollars were allocated. The Measure X Housing Funds are to be dispersed by the Department of Conservation and Development (DCD) and the Health Services' Health, Housing and Homeless (HSD-H3) Services and the Housing Authority of the County of Contra Costa. The use of Measure X funds for housing are reported September 11, 2023 City Council by the County here: https://www.contracosta.ca.gov/8530/Measure-X. Prior to receiving any Measure X funds the City will consider prioritizing those funds for projects that address RHNA targets for very low- and low-income residents We appreciate your time and attention in consideration of these important matters and hope this letter is responsive to your request. Sincerely,Musep K. Awatoa Niroop K. Srivatsa City Manager September 11, 2023 City Council