Current Affordable Housing Activities

The following is a summary of several projects or activities which are currently underway related to the City's efforts to promote affordable housing:

• The City's Housing Commission recently developed an Inclusionary Zoning Ordinance (IZO) which modifies 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 has found it critical to increase the City's efforts to acquire affordable housing through new development.  The new ordinance 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 new Tri-Valley Housing Opportunity Center recently opened at 20 South “L” Street in Livermore. The Center 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 and financial preparation. 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 925-373-3930 (www.tvhoc.org).
  
  The City recently completed the sale of seven (7) below-market priced townhomes in the new 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). 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 (see contact information listed above).

Rental Housing

• The development plan for the Bernal property (described above) also included a 100-unit apartment complex.  This new complex, called “The Kensington,” opened in late 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 May 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 new Parkview assisted living facility is now open. Construction on the 105-unit housing complex for senior citizens was completed in December 2006, and the facility was opened in January 2007. The facility offers housing with a range of services for seniors who need or want 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 is making it available for the project at a lease 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 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 are expected to range from approximately $978 to $1,957 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 December 2006 and many residents have already moved in. The Parkview is currently accepting applications for ten (10) remaining BMR units. Applicants must be 62 years of age or older and have an annual income which falls into the "Very Low Income" Category of $14,675 up to a maximum of $29,350. Units in this category, rent at a below market rate of $1,957 per month and include all meals, services and care giving. Applications will be accepted until June 15, 2007 at 5:00 p.m. Anyone who is interested in the Parkview can obtain more information by calling 925-461-3042.  Copies of the applications can be viewed or downloaded by clicking below:

   

  • Parkview Application Checklist   (pdf)
    
  • Parkview BMR Complete Application (pdf)
    
  • Parkview Physician's Report (pdf)
    
  • Parkview Video Advertisement (wmv)
    

• In September 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 late 2002, the City Council approved a new 172-unit development of "independent living" rental apartments for seniors aged 62 and older. This new project, to be called "The Gardens at Ironwood," will be located on a 6.26 acre site located on the southwest portion of the Busch property near Valley Ave. and Busch Rd. in east Pleasanton. The complex will include 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 will be rented at market rents. The development will feature one-bedroom (650 sq. ft.) and two-bedroom (805 sq. ft.) apartments. Second floor apartments will be accessible via elevators. The complex will also include 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 will include private kitchens and patios or balconies. Several units will be fully wheelchair accessible. The project developer, Ponderosa Homes, will work with the City to establish a transit service for residents. An application process for the below-market rate units is in progress. Interested parties may contact FPI Management 1-888-210-8896 for leasing information.

Housing Finance Programs

• The City recently 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.  The program provides up to $60,000 in down payment assistance for low- and moderate-income buyers.  Assistance is in the form of a low-interest (3.5%) loan that is partially deferred.  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, contact the City’s Housing Division at 925-931-5007.
  
  (All pdf formatted files.)
  

  • DPA Program Brochure

  • DPA Program Application
  • DPA Program Guidelines
    
    
• 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:
  
  

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.