Goal
● Achieve and maintain a mix of affordable, livable and green housing types throughout the city for people of all socio-economic / cultural / household groups (including seniors, families, singles, and disabled).

Since 1999, the city has lost the affordability of more than half of its rent controlled housing units due to state-mandated vacancy decontrol.  The controlled housing stock affordable to low and very-low income residents continues to decrease from 86% before state-mandated vacancy decontrol in 1999 to 40% in 2006. This factor, combined with sustained upward pressure on real estate prices, has severely reduced the availability of affordable housing.  However, the city’s progressive legal protections, such as the just-cause eviction protections in rent controlled units, have contributed to keeping 40% of the controlled units affordable to low and very-low income tenants.  In addition to preserving the existing stock of affordable rental units, the city is investing in the development of new affordable housing. The Housing and Redevelopment Division financed almost $16 million for the production of more than 60 units of affordable housing in three projects.  Design development for the Civic Center Village is underway and will include at least 160 affordable housing units. The consistent grade reflects the continued loss of housing affordability while recognizing the significant accomplishments being made in both retaining existing and providing additional housing units affordable to low income residents.