+ Goal 1: new housing construction

The purpose of this goal is to support new housing development in Piedmont. This involves making sure there are enough sites available to meet the State’s Regional Housing Needs Allocation.

Some of the key policies and programs include:

• Streamlining housing approval process with objective design standards
• Developing a specific plan for the Moraga Canyon area to facilitate new housing development
• Pursuing a Priority Development Area designation as a funding mechanism to help build new housing along Grand Ave and in Moraga Canyon
• Increasing height, size, and pre-approved plans for accessory dwelling units
• Increasing density in certain areas
• Encouraging lot mergers and splits for new housing development

Read section 4.1 of the Housing Element for a full list of policies and programs that support this goal.

+ Goal 2: housing conservation

The purpose of this goal is to make sure the current housing stock is:

• Well maintained
• Not converted or used for other purposes
• Available for people of all income levels

Some of the key policies and programs include:

• Using federal funding to help people with low incomes repair or renovate their homes
• Protecting the supply of small homes through zoning rules and design standards
• Preserving multi-family and long term rental housing

Read section 4.2 of the Housing Element for a full list of policies and programs that support this goal.

+ Goal 3: affordable housing opportunities

The purpose of this goal is to increase the number of affordable housing units available in Piedmont.

The major focus is to encourage property owners to build accessory dwelling units and incentivize landlords to make them affordable. This involves:

• Allowing increased height and size if they are restricted for low and very low income households
• Public information campaign to promote incentives and demystify the process

The City will also create an affordable housing fund and explore developing an inclusionary housing program. The fund could help people build accessory dwelling units. Inclusionary housing is a way to require developers of market-rate housing to include affordable units or pay into the fund.

Read section 4.3 of the Housing Element for a full list of policies and programs that support this goal.

+ Goal 4: elimination of housing constraints

The purpose of this goal is to make it easier to build housing.

Some of the key policies and programs include:

• Streamlining the permitting process and making it easier to understand
• Workshops to help people learn how to do affordable home maintenance and improvements
• Studying how to protect the City’s stock of small homes and how to build housing on small lots
• Design standards for multi-family and mixed use housing projects to streamline the approval process
• Reduced parking requirements for certain housing projects
• Prioritizing infrastructure funding in areas where there are housing and equity needs

Read section 4.4 of the Housing Element for a full list of policies and programs that support this goal.

+ Goal 5: special needs populations

The purpose of this goal is to make it easier for people with special needs to find housing. This includes:

• People with disabilities
• Older adults
• People with extremely low incomes
• People experiencing homelessness
• Homeowners facing foreclosure

Some of the key policies and programs include:

• Working with the faith community to encourage them to build and manage affordable housing on their property
• Shared housing matching service to encourage people with extra space in their homes to rent it out in exchange for income or care
• Promoting how to retrofit homes for people with disabilities and working with service providers to address the needs of people with physical and developmental disabilities

Read section 4.5 of the Housing Element for a full list of policies and programs that support this goal.

+ Goal 6: sustainability and energy

The purpose of this goal is to make sure our housing stock is sustainable and energy efficient.

Some of the policies and programs include energy-efficient design and materials, water conservation, and retrofits. A key part of this goal is to address funding gaps. This financial assistance will help homeowners pay for energy-efficiency improvements, including:

• Rebates and incentives
• Financing for renewable energy systems
• Free energy audits

Read section 4.6 of the Housing Element for a full list of policies and programs that support this goal.

+ Goal 7: equal access to housing

The purpose of this goal is to make sure everyone can find housing.

This involves program, education, and enforcement of state housing laws. Two of they key programs include:

• Fair Housing Task Force to work on housing equity issues
• Increasing the availability and variety of housing for people with low incomes

Read section 4.7 of the Housing Element for a full list of policies and programs that support this goal.