Program/Policy Name

Program/Policy Description

Goal 1: An increase in the quantity and diversity of housing options, focusing on active nodes, and walkable neighborhoods with amenities and services.

To achieve this goal, the City will address, remove, or mitigate constraints to housing production, produce new affordable units, and preserve existing housing units.

Ensure that adequate residential land is available to accommodate the City’s RHNA, with special focus on Precise Plan areas near transit, employment centers, and services.

Encourage a mix of housing types, at a range of densities, that serves a diverse population, including rental and ownership units serving both young and mature families, singles, young professionals, single-parent households, seniors, and both first-time and move-up buyers, at a broad range of incomes, through development policies and City-subsidized affordable housing.

Maintain or improve the character and quality of neighborhoods through upgrades to existing developments, sensitively designed new developments, improved streetscapes, and better access to schools, parks, goods, services, jobs, transportation, and other needs.

Maintain and improve housing to meet health, safety, fire, and other applicable codes and standards.

Periodically evaluate the City’s development standards, review processes and, if necessary, remove unnecessary barriers to quality housing for all income levels.

Provide incentives, such as reduced parking standards and/or reductions in other development standards and fees, to facilitate the development of housing that is affordable to lower- and moderate-income households.

Support environmentally sustainable practices in all aspects of residential development, including energy and water efficiency.

Pursue innovative housing options to better meet the needs of the community, such as land trusts, middle-income housing, shared ownership models, innovative construction, and more.

Goal 2: An inclusive and equitable community with available and accessible housing assistance

To achieve this goal, the City will facilitate the development and preservation of affordable housing and support fair and equal opportunities for all segments of the community.

Initiate and maintain programs to assist extremely low-, very low-, low-, and moderate-income households in accessing affordable rental and ownership units

Continue efforts to develop culturally competent outreach programs to connect residents to anti- displacement programs and affordable housing resources.

Give priority for affordable housing to persons who live or work in Mountain View whenever legally feasible.

Continue efforts to communicate effectively on affordable housing efforts so that building an inclusive community is widely championed.

Support programs to address discrimination and other fair housing issues in the sale, rental, and development of housing.

Support mediation programs between housing providers and tenants.

Encourage and support the maintenance/preservation and development of affordable housing that serves low-income households, seniors, individuals with developmental, intellectual, or physical disabilities, the homeless, larger households, historically underserved communities, and other special-needs populations.

Goal 3: A comprehensive suite of housing opportunities and services to prevent, respond to, and address displacement and homelessness

To achieve this goal, the City will seek funding and partnerships to increase resources towards the prevention of displacement and address the housing needs of people experiencing homelessness.

Support a range of housing solutions and assistance, such as congregate shelter, safe parking, interim housing, and permanent housing, along with a pathway for individuals to get the housing they need.

Provide responsive assistance and referrals for community resources, access, case management, and basic services (food and other items).

Coordinate with the County, community-based organizations, nonprofits, faith, and intergovernmental partners to assist the homeless.

Support housing solutions and resources for lower- and moderate-income residents displaced by development, rent increases, and other factors.

Strive to preserve affordable housing opportunities such as CSFRA units, mobile homes, and deed-restricted units.

Keep households at risk of homelessness housed such as with emergency rental assistance and fair-housing services.

Goal 4: A City that is an effective steward of housing solutions through funding, advocacy, partnerships, and community outreach and engagement

To achieve this goal, the City will pursue local housing funding, and work with partners to create additional housing opportunities, and otherwise support efforts that help implement the City’s housing goals and policies.

Advocate for additional State, regional, and private funding for affordable housing and affordable housing programs.

Promote and support State and local programs for energy conservation and renewable energy system installation in existing homes.

Promote water conservation and stormwater controls, including rainwater capture systems for homes, incentives to promote stormwater control/site design features and water wise landscaping.

Solicit community and stakeholder feedback on housing issues and the effectiveness of Housing Element program implementation.

Build partnerships to increase the availability of City resources in producing housing and providing services.

Goal 1: An increase in the quantity and diversity of housing options, focusing on active nodes, and walkable neighborhoods with amenities and services.

1.1: Zoning Ordinance Update

Objective
Update the Zoning Ordinance as
needed to fully accommodate the
City's 6th Cycle RHNA
and make other amendments as necessary to address governmental
constraints as
identified in the
Housing Constraints
Analysis and/or
necessary updates in
compliance with
State law.

Description/Action
a.Add provisions for Low-Barrier Navigation Centers in compliance with AB 101 (2019)
b.Add provisions for Employee Housing in compliance with Health and Safety Code, § 17000 et seq)
c. Add provisions to allow mobilehome parks in all residential zones in compliance with Government Code 65852.7
d.Complete a review of development standards in one or more zoning districts and modify standards to address feasibility constraints. Development standards to be reviewed could include open area, parking, TDM, and other standards that may create constraints on development.
e. Complete a review of
development standards for 100%
affordable housing projects that
could differ from development
standards for market-rate residential development to remove potential
constraints to development, including
parking standards.

1.2 Religious and Community Assembly Sites
for Housing

Objective
Allow affordable housing on non- profit, religious and community assembly sites to increase housing capacity, including in the City’s highest opportunity neighborhoods.

Description/Action
Update the Zoning Ordinance to allow multifamily affordable housing in the R1 district when affordable and constructed in conjunction with non- profit religious and community assembly uses on large sites.

1.3 Conservation of Units

Objective
Conserve multi-family development in R1
and R2 districts
where there is
currently non-
conforming density
of residential units.

Description/Action
Update the Zoning Ordinance to allow replacement of non-conforming multifamily development in the R1 and R2 districts to preserve units above the allowed density.

1.4: Accessory Dwelling Units and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units

Objective
Monitor and collect
data on ADU and
JADU construction
and provide
resources to
homeowners.
Enable the
construction of at
least 96 new J/ADUs
during the planning
period to improve
residential mobility
and access to
opportunity in high-
resource areas.

Description/Action
a. TrackthenumberofADUs/JADUs proposed and constructed.
b. Develop an ADU/JADU Monitoring Survey to collect data during the building permit application process (e.g., occupancy status and rent levels at time of occupancy) in order to accurately report income level for APRs and/or lead to future process improvements.
c. Update the ADU webpage with
current resources (e.g., educational
tools and public information).

1.5: Density Bonus

Objective
Review and approve projects consistent with the State Density Bonus Law and its local provisions

Description/Action
Continue to implement the requirements in the density bonus ordinance for Density Bonus projects that offers bonuses for the provision of affordable housing, depending on the amount and type of subsidized housing provided, consistent with the revised Government Code 65915.

1.6: No Net Loss

Objective
Maintain a list of opportunity sites that accommodates the City’s RHNA

Description/Action
Monitor and update the availability of sites to accommodate the remaining unmet RHNA in accordance with No Net Loss rules. If a shortfall is identified in any income category, identify necessary replacement sites, considering, but not limited to “Back Pocket” areas discussed during adoption of the Housing Element Update. Back Pocket areas included:
· Moffett Boulevard Change Area
· Neighborhood shopping areas other than General Plan Village Centers (such as Bailey Park Shopping Center, Monta Loma Shopping Center, and Leong Drive)
· Downtown Transit Center
· Other nonresidential sites south of El Camino Real

1.7: Code Enforcement Program

Objective
Respond to housing
code violations

Description/Action
Maintain the quality of the existing
housing stock by addressing housing
code violations as they are reported.

1.8: Multi-family Housing Inspection Program

Objective
Inspect and respond to substandard conditions in the City’s multifamily housing stock

Description/Action
Continue annual inspection of multi- family rental properties throughout the City to ensure property owners and management companies comply with the California Building Code and the City's Municipal code.

1.9: Sustainable Housing

Objective
Streamline green building review and development of
more sustainable (cost-effective and energy-efficient) housing.

Description/Action
a. Implement the City’s various sustainable and green building requirements, including: the City’s Green Building and Reach Codes, the Water Conservation in Landscaping Regulations, Bonus FAR requirements for more sustainable buildings, and others.
b. Encourage City Staff to attend conferences, training sessions, and other events to learn and stay informed on new green initiatives and technologies. Hold in-house training sessions to facilitate inter-department cooperation on green building practices.

1.10: Park Land Ordinance Update

Objective
Review and revise the park land dedication requirements to maintain access to high quality open space while reducing the financial impact to residential development.

Description/Action
Complete Phase 2 of the Park Land Dedication Ordinance update and the Parks and Recreation Strategic Plan. Analysis that would support fee reductions could include:
· Review of best-practices for parkland acquisition funding
· Pursuit of grants and other funding sources
· Review of the City’s population density assumptions
· Opportunities for private development to provide public open space through existing zoning requirements (e.g., POPAs)
· Development incentives and exceptions to standards for public open space

1.11 BMR Program Review

Objective
Review and revise
the Below-Market-
Rate program
requirements to
reflect community
needs for affordable
and market rate
housing.

Description/Action
Complete the first review of the BMR Phase 2 program in 2022, and again in 2027.

Goal 2: An inclusive and equitable community with available and accessible housing assistance

2.1: Subsidize and support affordable housing programs to meet an array of housing needs, with a particular emphasis on underserved populations

Objective
Make more housing available to households otherwise left out of the Mountain View housing market.
Mitigate displacement through community- centered programs.
Produce at least 200
supportive housing
units for households
who have
experienced
homelessness.

Description/Action
a. Make funding available to support a range of housing needs including:
1. permanent supportive housing for unhoused community members,
2. larger units to serve larger households,
3. people with special needs, 4. efficiency studios, and
5. homeownership programs for middle income residents.
b. Explore innovative programs (such as community land trusts, community and tenant opportunity to purchase act (COPA/TOPA, new building methods, etc.) as appropriate to meet gaps.

2.2: Inclusive and equitable affordable housing application processes

Objective
Remove barriers to accessing affordable housing

Description/Action
Review BMR and NOFA application process for inclusivity for language access, technological access, and other barriers and make adjustments to increase inclusivity.

2.3: Mediation and Fair Housing Programs

Objective
Make information
and legal services
available to tenants
and property owners
to support fair
housing, help tenants
and property owners
exercise their rights,
and prevent eviction
and displacement.

Description/Action
a. Fund fair housing education, enforcement, and counseling to prevent fair housing violations and help community members understand and assert their rights.
b.Provide financial support to mediate housing issues involving City residents, with a focus on tenant/property owner mediation and eviction prevention.

2.4: Reasonable Accommodation

Objective
Review and approve requests to modify development standards to reasonably accommodate person with disabilities, including persons with developmental disabilities.

Description/Action
Implement City reasonable accommodations procedures

2.5: Affirmatively Further Fair Housing

Objective
Remove
impediments to fair
housing and provide equitable access to
housing.

Description/Action
Continue to prepare and update the City's Assessment of Fair Housing and implement actions as necessary to remove barriers to fair housing choice, as required by HUD and State Housing Element law.

Goal 3: A comprehensive suite of housing opportunities and services to prevent, respond to, and address displacement and homelessness

3.1: Homelessness Prevention and Services for the Unhoused

Objective
Prevent households from becoming homeless and provide safety net, shelter, and housing services to those who are unhoused.

Description/Action
a. Develop and implement a strategy to support those who are unhoused and prevent people from becoming unhoused, by:
1. supporting emergency rental assistance programs to prevent homelessness
2. supporting pathways to housing, by providing a range of housing options, including transitional and permanent housing
b. Continue to partner with the Mountain View Los Altos Community Services Agency (CSA), LifeMoves and similar agencies that provide services and/or shelter to the unhoused community members, by offering financial support and advertising available programs to residents living in the City.
c. Participate in regional homeless programs that support short-term shelter and transitional housing programs that accommodate families and individuals from Mountain View.

3.2: Displacement Prevention and Mitigation

Objective
Prevent displacement through rent stabilization, deed restriction, and housing preservation work.
Provide benefits and relocation assistance to displaced
residents to partially mitigate impacts of displacement.
Assist in preserving at
least one naturally
occurring affordable
housing project
during the planning
period.

a. Conserve and improve existing affordable housing stock.
b. Enforce the Tenant Relocation Assistance Ordinance, Community Stabilization and Fair Rent Act (CSFRA), Mobile Home Rent Stabilization Ordinance (MHRSO), Condominium Conversion Ordinance (CCO), and relevant state tenant protection laws
c. Seek opportunities to preserve and rehabilitate naturally affordable housing.

Goal 4: A City that is an effective steward of housing solutions through funding and advocacy partnerships and community

4.1 Development Streamlining and Processing
Revisions

Objective
Streamline development processes.

Description/Action
a. Review and update the City's affordable Housing NOFA process to improve coordination and communication internally (e.g., coordination between Housing and Planning and internal processes in Planning) and with applicants. Encourage affordable housing developers to work with outside funding sources to leverage the City's local funds to the maximum extent possible. Initial steps in the review include additional developer roundtables, garnering consultant advice, and scanning other public agency processes for best practices.
b. Review development and post- development processes, timelines, and approval body levels to streamline permitting processes.
c. Acquire tools and software that will improve development review, monitoring of housing supply, management of funding, and other processes involved in housing development for staff and public use.

4.2: Federal, State, and Regional Policy Initiatives

Objective
State, Federal, and regional policies that support efforts to develop affordable housing, prevent displacement, and remove impediments to accessing housing.

Description/Action
a. Advocate for, propose, and shape legislation that increases the ability to develop affordable housing, prevent displacement, and remove impediments to accessing housing. Lobby for a change in State law that would allow assessment of impact fees on office and other employment- generating uses to account for the impacts that residential uses have on infrastructure and services on the basis that new employment-generating development creates demand for new residential development.
b. Support regional funding measure to support affordable housing.

4.3: Financial Support for Subsidized Housing

Objective
Subsidize affordable housing, especially housing for lower- income households, unhoused, and families and effectively steward housing funds.
Produce at least 200 supportive housing
units for households
who have
experienced homelessness.

Description/Action
a. Examine new revenue sources and increases to existing revenue sources to meet extremely low- to moderate- income housing needs, including increasing housing impact fees on office development, and periodically consider updates to fees.
b. Perform asset management to ensure loan repayment.
c. Prioritize funding opportunities for lower-income and special needs population groups, such as families and unhoused individuals.
d. Provide about $40 million to make available for financing affordable and special needs housing units.
e. Develop local revenue ballot measure to fund affordable housing if regional measure is not implemented.

4.4: Partnerships to Support Affordable Housing

Explore partnerships
with other public
agencies and
external partners to
leverage funds and
increase access to
affordable housing
programs

Work with private sector, philanthropy, and public agencies to bring in additional funding sources to support a range of affordable housing opportunities in Mountain View.

4.5: Partnerships with Subsidized Housing Developers

Objective
Partner with subsidized housing developers to further affordable housing priorities.

Description/Action
Make City-owned properties available for affordable housing development.

4.6: City Council Goal Setting

Objective
Implement major programs in the Housing Element

Description/Action
Incorporate Housing Element programs and recommendations from the City's annual monitoring and review process into the City Council's goal-setting process. Ensure consistency between the Housing Element and other General Plan Elements throughout the planning period.

4.7: Neighborhood Engagement

Objective
Keep the community
informed on
proposed projects to
solicit input and
foster support for
new residential
developments

Description/Action
Encourage housing developers to communicate and share information with groups regarding their proposed projects.

4.8: School District Coordination

Objective
Share information on
residential
developments with
school districts

Description/Action
Provide a copy of the Housing
Element to school districts serving the
City. Share information on new
residential developments including
number of units and bedrooms and demographic information with school districts.

4.9: Water and Sewer Service Coordination

Objective
Ensure that Water and Sewer connections will be made available to address the RHNA

Description/Action
Provide a copy of the Housing Element to Water and Sewer Utility staff and ensure that they understand that priority for connections must be given to housing developments that address the City's lower-income RHNA.

4.10: Annual Monitoring and Reporting

Objective
Complete and submit review each year of the planning period

Description/Action
Per Government Code Section 65400, annually review the Housing Element and submit findings to the Office of Planning and Research and HCD.