This report recommends that Council approve an amendment to Sunnyvale’s Consolidated Plan 2000-2005, approved by Council in May 2000 and accepted by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The amendment to the Consolidated Plan provides for the update of the Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice (AI). Sunnyvale is required to affirmatively further fair housing and complete an AI every three to five years. The AI describes actions the City will undertake to eliminate identified impediments and to maintain records to verify that the City affirmatively furthers fair housing. The attached AI updates and replaces the City’s first AI, which initially covered the period July 1, 1995 to June 30, 2000 and amends the Consolidated Plan through 2005.

As required, the City conducted a fair housing assessment. A subcommittee of the Housing and Human Services Commission was formed to review the AI and to participate in the development of strategies to address fair housing issues. The countywide Fair Housing Study recommendations were reviewed for inclusion in the City’s updated AI. The Study utilized data on possible discrimination in mortgage lending, data on perceptions of discrimination and socioeconomic comparisons from the 2000 Census. Several local agencies concerned with fair housing issues and potential impediments to fair housing were contacted. In particular, Mid-Peninsula Citizens for Fair Housing, the City’s current fair housing provider, and Project Sentinel, its provider of landlord/tenant mediation services, provided specific information on cases and complaints specific to Sunnyvale during the past several years. The subcommittee was able to assess the current extent and nature of fair housing problems within the City, and proposed ways to improve current programs related to fair housing. The AI presents information on fair housing issues in the City and reviews the wide range of activities that the City currently participates in or supports to further fair housing choice. The following lists the actions and strategies and highlights some of the activities that the City plans to pursue over the next five years to further fair housing choice and opportunities.

The City will continue to work with other entitlement cities in Santa Clara County, publicize fair housing issues and make the public aware of the resources available to address fair housing problems:

• Form a subcommittee of the Housing and Human Services Commission to further the activities of fair housing
• Partner with agencies and groups to educate the public on predatory lending practices

Research and Measure the Extent of Housing Discrimination in Sunnyvale:

The county Fair Housing Study recommended additional research to measure the extent of discrimination and the impact of enforcement activity in the County. Specifically, the City identified mobile home parks as a priority area based on complaints from residents and potential purchasers. In response, the City will expand its service provider’s work program and one activity will be to:

• Assess compliance of mobile home parks with fair housing laws and state regulations, and space rental increases and impacts on occupants.

Coordinate with Other Public and Private Organizations to Address Fair Housing Issues Countywide:

• Actively participate in the formation and ongoing efforts of a countywide Fair Housing Task Force. The City of Sunnyvale will organize a countywide focus group to discuss strategies and role of the task force. The focus group meeting will include CDBG coordinators and fair housing service providers as well as representatives from a citizens advisory group, Board of Realtors and other interested parties.
• Support the efforts of the Housing and Human Services Commission to participate in the City’s fair housing activities and work with other local organizations.

Review the City’s Contracts for Fair Housing Activities:

As part of its review of its fair housing activities, the City has recognized the value of revising its contracts for the delivery of fair housing services and monitoring mechanisms.

• Reassess City’s contracts for delivery of fair housing services. Initiate a competitive bidding process, consolidating, and revising services to be provided. Coordinate services with other north county cities (Palo Alto and Mountain View) to provide comprehensive services throughout the region.

• Encourage the fair housing services provider to take more direct action regarding fair housing issues, including public outreach, monitoring and participation on the newly formed Fair Housing Task Force.

No fiscal impact will result from the approval of the update to the Analysis of Impediments on General Funds.

Public input and the review process of the Analysis of Impediments (AI) began on August 28, 2002 with a presentation to the Housing and Human Services Commission by the City’s consultant.

On September 9, 2002 a Fair Housing Subcommittee meeting was held comprised of six members of the Housing and Human Services Commission.

On September 25, 2002, the Fair Housing Subcommittee presented an overview regarding the actions and strategies the City will pursue and will include in its 2000-2005 Analysis of Impediments.

On October 23, 2002 the Housing and Human Services Commission reviewed the initial Draft Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice.

This update to the Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice was reviewed and commented on by the Housing and Human Services Commission on November 20, 2002.

As required by Sunnyvale’s Citizen Participation Plan, a thirty-day public comment period commenced on November 6, 2002 and was continued through February 4, 2003.

Public contact was made through posting of the Council agenda on the City’s official notice bulletin board, posting of the agenda and report on the City’s web page, and the availability of the report in the Library and the City Clerk’s Office.