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Developing Affordable Housing
Developing Affordable Housing
The Department of Conservation and Development facilitates the development of affordable housing by working with housing developers. Staff is available to discuss project proposals with developers in the early planning states of a development in order to assist the developer in creating viable and innovative solutions to providing affordable housing.
Ohlone Gardens is a 57-unit apartments for low-income families and those with special needs in El Cerrito. The project is owned by Resources for Community Development and is estimated to be complete by September 2015.
*HUD has developed a Utility Schedule Model that enables the user to calculate utility schedules by housing type after entering utility rate information for HOME funded projects effective January 24, 2015
Affordable Housing Financing Programs
Click on a link for information about a program
Multi-Family Mortgage Revenue Bonds
For Detailed information, see the County Debt Policy (PDF).
Program Information
The purpose of the Program is: (1) to increase the supply of rental housing in the County; and
(2) to provide housing units affordable for lower income residents.
Project loans made by the County have been as small as $425,000 for a ten unit development to as much as $60 million for a larger project.
The project will be able to use tax-exempt revenue bonds issued by the County pursuant to Section 52075 of the California Health & Safety Code, and applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. The bonds will not involve any pledge of County revenues, taxes, or assets.
Bonds may be issued for projects which:
- (a) meet program requirements;
- (b) are located in the unincorporated areas of the County or in incorporated areas with approval by both the applicable City and the County;
- (c) have a commitment fee paid by the developer; and
- (d) have a developer loan commitment from, an acceptable lender and/or credit enhancement provider.
Loans under the multifamily bond program will generally be amortized for 30 years and will be due at the expiration of the credit enhancement (e.g., typically 7 years for a letter of credit, 40 years for FHA insurance). The bonds may remain outstanding with an extended or replacement credit enhancement. Effective loan rates will depend upon market conditions at the time of bond sale, and the type of bond structure. Bonds to be issued will generally be rated by a nationally recognized rating agency, and carry at least an "A" rating. If a developer is contemplating an issuance of unrated bonds, the developer should immediately contact the County for additional guidance.
Purpose and Priorities
To expand the supply of decent, safe, sanitary, and affordable housing for very-low and low-income families and households.
Eligible Applicants
- Public agencies, non-profit, and for-profit developers
- Fifteen percent (15%) of the Contra Costa County Consortium annual HOME allocation must be reserved for affordable housing projects owned, developed, or sponsored by qualified Community Housing Development Organizations (CHDO).
Download the Application for CHDO
Eligible Area
Contra Costa County Consortium, which includes all of Contra Costa with the exception of the City of Richmond.
Target Population
Lower-Income households, defined and as households within incomes less than than or equal to 80 percent of area median income, as defined by HUD. Low-Income Special Needs Population including:
- Seniors and the frail elderly;
- Large families with children;
- Disabled population;
- Persons with alcohol or drug-abuse problems;
- Female-headed households;
- Farmworkers;
- Victims of domestic violence; and
- Homeless
Purpose and Priorities
The purpose of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program is to develop viable urban communities through the provision of decent housing, a suitable living environment, and expanded economic opportunities for persons of very-low and low income. All projects funded with CDBG funds must accomplish one of the following national objectives:
- The project must directly benefit very-low and low-income households;
- The project must aid in the elimination of slums and blight; and/or
- The project must act to eliminate conditions which pose a serious and immediate threat to the community welfare.
Eligible Applicants
- Public agencies, non-profit, and for-profit developers
- CDBG may be used for the new construction of housing affordable to and occupied by very-low and low-income households only when undertaken by a qualified Community Based Development Organization (CDBOs). Download the Application for CDBO. (PDF)
- Community Housing Development Organizations (CHDOs) certified by the County for purposed of participating in the HOME Program automatically qualify as a CDBO if their geographic area of operation is limited to one neighborhood and they have received or are expected to receive HOME Funds. Download the Application for CHDO (PDF)
Eligible Area
Contra Costa County Urban County, which includes all of Contra Costa with the exception of the Cities of Antioch, Concord, Pittsburg, Richmond, and Walnut Creek. The latter cities are independent entitlement jurisdictions for the purposed of participation in the CDBG Program and receive separate allocations of CBG funds.
Target Population
Lower-Income households, defined and as households within incomes less than than or equal to 80 percent of area median income, as defined by HUD. Low-Income Special Needs Population including:
- Seniors and the frail elderly;
- Large families with children;
- Disabled population;
- Persons with alcohol or drug-abuse problems;
- Female-headed households;
- Farmworkers;
- Victims of domestic violence; and
- Homeless
HOPWA (Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS)
The purpose of the Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS Program is to provide affordable housing and housing counseling and advocacy programs for low-income persons with HIV/AIDS who are either homeless or have unstable housing. The County represents all Contra Costa jurisdictions for purposes of administering the HOPWA program.
Contra Costa Health Services HIV/AID Program
MHSA (Mental Health Services Act)
Program Information
MHSA Housing Program provides funding for permanent housing to individuals who are eligible for other MHSA services and meet eligibility criteria as homeless or "at risk" of becoming homeless.
County Ordinances for Affordable Housing
Residential Density Ordinance
The Residential Density Bonus Ordinance (density bonus) is a mechanism to provide incentives for the production of affordable housing for very-low, lower-income, and senior households. The incentives include an increase in the maximum allowed residential density in the General Plan and additional incentives.
Download State Density Bonus Code
Download Density Bonus Submittal Requirement Checklist
Inclusionary Housing Ordinance
The Inclusionary Housing Ordinance requires new residential developments to include a minimum percentage of dwelling units that are affordable to very-low, lower and moderate income households. In residential developments of five (5) or more units, fifteen percent (15%) of the dwelling units must be affordable. Developments of four (4) or fewer units are not subject to the requirements of the recommended Ordinance. The recommended Ordinance provides some alternative compliance options, including the payment of fees in-lieu of developing affordable units ("in-lieu fee"), allowing the affordable units to be developed on a separate site and allowing a developer to convey land suitable for affordable housing development to a qualified affordable housing developer. In addition, the County may consider any other reasonable alternative that a developer proposes.
Download Housing Plan Checklist
Download Fee Calculator (Excel)