3B Public Hearing 2010 0419 - Laserfiche WebLink

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standards, permitting procedures, development fees, and environmental constraints, as housing constraints that increase the cost and/or feasibility of new housing development. Once the Housing Element is adopted, the City will take specific steps in order to strive to eliminate these housing constraints. Neighborhood Opposition According to the Alameda County HOME Consortium's Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing (January 2010), Alameda County HOME Consortium jurisdictions encounter neighborhood opposition to specific affordable housing developments. Community acceptance problems occur and are seen most often when proposals are made for affordable multi-family housing particularly for lower income families with children or people with HIV/AIDS, mental illness, and/or homeless histories. Such opposition and sentiment stalls the implementation and ultimately impede the provision of affordable housing to needy families and individuals. In response to citizens' concerns, the City and its affordable housing developers seek neighborhood support and consultation early in the development process by coordinating neighborhood meetings, information sessions on housing needs in the community, and/or field trips to exemplary affordable housing developments. LEAD-BASED PAINT HAZARD REDUCTION The new Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule effective April 22, 2010 requires that contractors be EPA-lead certified prior to beginning work on structures built before 1978. The City, specifically its Building & Safety Services Division, now requires contractors, who are working on homes built prior to 1978, to demonstrate that they have satisfied the EPA law prior to providing them the City building permits needed. The City's Single Family Rehabilitation Program, which includes low interest loans and minor home repair grants for eligible low-income homeowners, is funded solely with Redevelopment Housing Set-Aside funds. Despite no longer using federal CDBG dollars, the Residential Rehabilitation Program includes lead-based paint awareness and information literature in each application packet. Testing is always performed on homes when there are children ages seven years old and under living in them. The City utilizes lead abatement contractors in addition to general contractors when appropriate to perform the necessary repairs. Similarly, the program now requires EPA certificates from its general contractors certifying their training with regard to lead-based paint. Should the City use federal funds, such as HOME funds, for acquisition and rehabilitation of apartments for preservation or maintenance of affordable housing, it will inform tenants of lead- based paint and comply with both the new EPA law on lead and renovation as well as with applicable HUD lead-based paint hazard reduction guidelines and regulations. ANTI-POVERTY STRATEGY The City of San Leandro is committed to funding social services agencies that assist low-income households achieve economic independence. The City's Community Assistance Grant Program (CAP), which is funded with CDBG funds; will continue to support non-profit agencies that provide job assistance and related services to low-income members of the community. The City's Office of Business Development actively seeks new commercial office and retail Housing and Community Development Strategic Plan - FY 2010-2014 City of San Leandro Page 25