CITY OF SUNNYVALE
City Council Study Session Summary
Housing Programs
August 16, 2005- 5:30PM
West Conference Room
The City Council met in study session at City Hall in the West Conference Room, 456 West Olive Avenue, Sunnyvale, California on August 16, 2005 at 5:30PM, with Mayor Chu presiding.
Council Present: Mayor Dean Chu
Vice Mayor Ron Swegles
Council Member Julia Miller
Council Member Fred Fowler
Council Member John Howe
Council Member Melinda Hamilton
Council Member Otto Lee
Staff Present: Amy Chan, City Manager
Robert Walker, Assistant City Manager
Charles Schwabe, Deputy City Manager
Robert Paternoster, Director of Community
Development
David Kahn, City Attorney
Mary Bradley, Director of Finance
Annabel Yurutucu, Housing Officer
Charlene Sun, Budget Analyst
Katrina Ardina, Housing Program Analyst
Lupita Gaeta, Housing Program Analyst
Alice Gamboa-Navas, Administrative Aide
Visitors/Guests Present: Nancy Smith, member of the public
Cheryl Serna of the Santa Clara Housing Trust
Other members of the public
Call to Order: Mayor Chu called the meeting to order at 5:36 p.m.
Study Session Summary:
I. Introduction by City Manager
Amy Chan, City Manager, noted that the presentation is at the request of Council Member Howe of the City’s Housing Programs. The presentation will cover the Housing Programs’ historical background, programs description, production, future needs, issues and strategies. She introduced the presenter, Annabel Yurutucu, Housing Officer.
II. Historical Background of Housing Program
Annabel Yurutucu, Housing Officer, summarized the Housing Programs in four sections with a Powerpoint Presentation.
She presented the goals of the Housing Programs preserving and improving housing conditions, increasing development of affordable housing. She also noted the enactment of the Below Market Rate Program in 1980 and other related policy documents
III. Description and Production of Housing Programs
Ms. Yurutucu described the various Housing Programs - Affordable Rental Housing, Housing Improvement, Below Market Rate, Housing for Public/School District Employees, First Time Homebuyer, and the funding resources – HOME, CDBG, City Housing Fund, BMR Revenues and Loan Repayments. She presented the target groups.
She reported some cost analysis of Affordable Housing Program and the benefits and accomplishments achieved to date. She also presented the increased development of affordable ownership housing and the projected decreasing number of rental housing.
IV. Future Needs, Issues and Strategies
She reported the declining supply of rental properties due to expiring restrictions in providing affordable housing. She noted the support to County Housing Trust Fund and providing housing opportunities to 129th Air National Guard.
She presented strategic options of providing housing programs loans such as Individual Development Accounts and Down Payment Loans, review of ordinances to address loss of BMR rentals and affordable housing projects, rehabilitation of rental properties and support to the Housing Trust Fund.
V. Questions, Options and Guidance
Staff responded to City Council questions regarding conversion projects, the mechanics of the HOME grants, the BMR rental years of restrictions, transfer of home ownership to families, BMR rent, decreasing supply of rental units, revolving loan accounts, the rehabilitation of homes, possible transfer of loan portfolio management to outside vendors, possible revenue opportunity from resale units, funding resources, housing budget, down payment assistance programs, Individual Development Account (IDA). Staff also responded to questions about redevelopment agency possible funding resource.
The City Council thanked staff for the presentation.
Adjournment:
Mayor Chu adjourned the Study Session at 6:58PM.
Annabel Yurutucu
Housing Officer