HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 2212-05603.Buena Vista Mobile Home Park Update from the Santa Clara County Housing Authority
Item No. 3. Page 1 of 3
CITY COUNCIL
STAFF REPORT
From: City Manager
Report Type: Study Session
Lead Department: City Manager
Meeting Date: February 13, 2023
TITLE
Buena Vista Mobile Home Park Update from the Santa Clara County Housing Authority
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Council receive this report and discuss the update by the Santa Clara
County Housing Authority (Housing Authority) regarding the Buena Vista Mobile Home Park
(Park).
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Santa Clara County Housing Authority (Housing Authority) will present on (1) its efforts to
date (including Park upgrades and improvements, ongoing compliance and property
management) and (2) its plan for redeveloping the Park.
The Housing Authority is moving forward with a major redevelopment of the Park. As a first step,
the Housing Authority is soliciting feedback on initial site concepts. Park residents were invited
to attend a meeting in late January to learn about the site concepts and provide feedback on
proposed design, amenities, security, and living spaces. The Housing Authority is presenting the
site concepts to the Palo Alto City Council and the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors as an
additional way to receive resident feedback in addition to hearing from elected representatives.
The Housing Authority has provided some contextual documents included as attachments to this
report.
BACKGROUND
The Park, located at 3980 El Camino Real, is related to a tri-party agreement between the City of
Palo Alto, Santa Clara County and the Santa Clara County Housing Authority. These three parties
came to a multiyear three-party agreement1 focused on maintaining affordable housing,
enhancing the habitability of the property, avoiding resident displacement, and investing in
1 City of Palo Alto, City Council Staff Report, ID#7125, June 27, 2016, BV MOU SIGNATURE FINAL (HACSC June 14
2016) (cityofpaloalto.org)
Item No. 3. Page 2 of 3
rehabilitation and improvements. The tri-party agreement includes an improvements timeline
and some expected outcomes. Due to a variety of reasons, further explained in Attachment A,
the improvements and outcomes are behind schedule. The City, as a party to that agreement,
committed to providing $14.5 million from its affordable housing fund to aid in acquisition and
preservation of the site for affordable housing. Since the onset of the agreement, the Housing
Authority has:
•Relocated Park residents as needed (e.g., to new mobile homes),
•Removed trash and abandoned cars,
•Conducted necessary home repairs,
•Installed new utilities,
•Replaced aged sewer and water lines,
•Replaced paving,
•Demolished abandoned coaches (i.e., mobile homes),
•Capped unused utilities for safety,
•Provided spaces for services and an afterschool program, and
•Worked to bring the Park into compliance with various laws.
FISCAL/RESOURCE IMPACT
Funding for site acquisition and Park improvements was approved in June 2016. No additional
funding is requested at this time.
STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT
The Housing Authority held a general information community meeting with Park residents in
November 2022 attended by approximately 50 residents. This was followed by another meeting
in January 2023, attended by approximately 45 residents, to share redevelopment plans and site
concepts and receive resident feedback. Additionally, the Housing Authority has indicated its
intention to meet individually with residents to discuss specific situations and concerns. In terms
of broader outreach, the Housing Authority is sharing plans and site concepts with the City
Council to receive public feedback.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The City Council discussion of the Park’s site concepts will not cause physical changes to the
environment and does not constitute a “project” under the California Environmental Quality Act
(CEQA).
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A: Buena Vista Mobile Home Park Project Summary
Item No. 3. Page 3 of 3
Attachment B: Site Concept
Attachment C: Sample GIN
Attachment D: January 2023 Resident Meeting Handout
APPROVED BY:
Ed Shikada, City Manager
Report #: 2212-0560
Page 1 of 2
Santa Clara County Housing Authority
505 West Julian Street
San José, CA 95110
408.275.8770
scchousingauthority.org
Study Session on the Buena Vista Mobile Home Park
Background Information
Buena Vista Mobile Home Park (Park) is located at 3980 El Camino Real, on 4.5 acres in Palo
Alto, CA. In 2017, the Santa Clara County Housing Authority (Housing Authority), the County of
Santa Clara (County), and the City of Palo Alto (City) came together as partners to purchase the
Buena Vista Mobile Home Park (Park) in order to preserve affordable housing in one of the
most cost-prohibitive and highly-resourced cities in the Bay Area. The Park’s acquisition by the
Housing Authority and its partners secured existing affordable housing stock and prevented the
potential displacement of residents by the previous owner. The property was purchased for
$40,375,000, with $14,500,000 contributed by the City, $14,500,000 from the County and
$12,075,000 from the Housing Authority. The Housing Authority also committed an additional
$19,925,000 towards the renovation and improvement of the Park. After the Park was
acquired, all three parties entered into a joint Regulatory Agreement, which requires that the
Park be improved, and the rents are affordable for each family based on their income. At
present, the Park consists of 77 occupied homes, with variety of income levels, housing types,
family sizes, as well as homeowners and renters. In total, the Park provides housing for
approximately 270 Palo Alto residents.
It is important to note that when the Housing Authority took ownership of the Park in late
2017, the intention was to lease it to an operator/developer who would quickly stabilize the
Park and commence with renovations. Unfortunately, this plan was impacted greatly by the
difficult realities of the Park’s condition, including the state of the infrastructure systems, the
physical condition and age of the units, a significant relocation project within the Park, and the
varying degree of barriers facing each household. While not insurmountable, these difficult
realities have slowed down our efforts significantly while the Housing Authority carefully and
methodically move forward with Park relocations, renovations and site upgrades, while
balancing the needs and desires of residents with financial and legal considerations, code
requirements, and physical constraints. The Housing Authority’s goal continues to be the
preservation and improvement of the Park, and the stability and success of its residents.
Below, please find the investments the Housing Authority has made in time and resources over
the past five years into the Park. The work, efforts, and partnership with the City, County, and
Housing Authority has allow us to get to this point to move forward redevelopment.
Park Upgrades & Improvements
Since 2017, the Housing Authority has been making substantial investments to improve the
infrastructure and quality of life for residents of Buena Vista. Early on, the Housing Authority
undertook a major relocation project, moving several families from a dilapidated motel on the
property and relocating mobile homes from a portion of land that was retained by the original
owner of the Park. In 2020 and 2021, 18 new RVs and Manufactured Homes were brought into
Page 2 of 2
Santa Clara County Housing Authority
505 West Julian Street
San José, CA 95110
408.275.8770
scchousingauthority.org
the Park as part of a Replacement Housing Pilot Program, creating better quality housing for 61
Park residents. Other substantial investments include the clearing of trash and abandoned cars,
repairing homes, installing new electrical and gas utilities, replacing aged sewer and water lines,
replacing paving, demolishing abandoned coaches, capping unused utilities for safety, and
providing space for onsite services and the afterschool program.
On-Going Compliance & Property Management
At the same time, the Housing Authority was tasked with bringing the Park and its residents
into compliance with the new regulatory agreement and rental housing laws. The Housing
Authority and its partners, including The John Stewart Company, worked towards completing
Housing Quality inspections on the units, ensuring the units were up to code and Health &
Safety standards, issuing compliant leases, and certifying household income levels. This work
continues today as residents adjust to the new management and policies of the Park.
Redevelopment Plan
In late 2019, the Housing Authority assumed the role of Developer and owns the Park through
its affiliated non-profit, Poco Way HDC, Inc. In its capacity as Developer, the Housing Authority
is working towards creating a feasible plan to redevelop the Park into quality, affordable
housing. The major goals of this redevelopment plan are to:
1) Ensure there is quality housing for all current Buena Vista residents at the Park
2) Provide new, comparable housing units for all current residents
3) Ensure all current owners retain their homeownership rights
4) Ensure rents at Buena Vista Park are affordable for the current and future residents
based on income levels
5) Increase community and amenity space
6) Remove the gas lines and upgrade all utilities and coaches to electric
Currently, the plan includes maintaining a portion of the Park as a mobile home park and
carving out a portion that will become a rental apartment building, thus serving existing coach
owners, as well as current and future renters. The Housing Authority is in the process of
completing a construction phasing plan which will determine if and how long any temporary
relocation may be necessary. As required under the Uniform Relocation Act, a General
Information Notice (GIN) will be issued to residents in order to inform them of their rights in
relation to any potential relocation that may happen as part of the redevelopment. A draft GIN
is included as an attachment to this report.
Future Engagement Opportunities
Starting in January 2023, the Housing Authority anticipates sharing plans and feasible design
concepts with residents, City and County partners, and local elected officials. Our goal is to
solicit feedback from residents through June 2023 to help determine the future amenities,
design, security and living spaces. The Housing Authority anticipates submitting design plans
Page 3 of 2
Santa Clara County Housing Authority
505 West Julian Street
San José, CA 95110
408.275.8770
scchousingauthority.org
for entitlements with the City of Palo Alto and California Department of Housing and
Community Development in Summer 2023, with construction commencing on the future
mobile home park in late 2023 or early 2024.
More information on the history of the Park and the redevelopment plan will be presented at
the Study Session.
03 / Site
Concept
When the Housing Authority purchased the Park in 2017, we entered
into a Regulatory Agreement with the City of Palo Alto and the County
of Santa Clara.
The Regulatory Agreement requires that we:
1.Improve the Park,and
2. Apply affordable rents as defined in the Regulatory Agreement
As we start with the redevelopment of the Park, our goal remains
the same:
Provide new housing for all current Park residents
Redevelopment Goals
Improve
amenities
and utilities
Preserve
ownership
Housing
remains
affordable
Housing for
all current
residents/
families
#1
#2
#3 #4
Site Constraints
Site Constraints / Restricciones del Sitio
Proposed Layout- Basis
Existing
Proposed Layout- Basis
Proposed Apartment building + Upgraded Mobile Home Park
MHP with new unitsNew Apt Bldg
Proposed Layout- Basis
Mobile Home Park to be replaced
Potential for
creating
green spaces
Maintains
existing
circulation MHP
Proposed Layout- Basis
Proposed location for Apartment building site + Mobile Home Park to be replaced
MHPApt Bldg Site
Neighboring site
has similar
building scale
Motel being demolished
means the least number of
residents impacted
The least disruption to
the park by
underground utilities
construction
Redevelopment Timeline
Submit to City and State
for ApprovalMotel Deconstruction
and New Space
Resident Options, Site Tours
and More Design
Engagement
Final Design and
ConstructionToday’s Resident Meeting -
Reconnecting
Summer 2023March 2023February 2023 2023-2024January 2023
Redevelopment Timeline
To: ________
From: Santa Clara County Housing Authority and Poco Way HDC
Date: 1/23/2023
Re: General Information Notice
The Santa Clara County Housing Authority (Housing Authority) and its partners, the City of Palo Alto and
the County of Santa Clara, are working to preserve affordable housing at Buena Vista Mobile Home Park
(Park). The Housing Authority, through one of its affiliated non-profits, Poco Way HDC, Inc. (Poco),
purchased the Park in 2017. The Park’s purchase and future development is funded with a combination
of Federal, State and Local sources, which may trigger certain requirements including the Uniform
Relocation Act.
The Housing Authority and Poco are working diligently to maintain long-term, safe, high quality
affordable housing for the residents of Buena Vista. The purpose of this notice is to provide open
communication about what is happening at the park, about your rights as current residents, and about
the process of developing a plan for your household. This is not a notice to vacate the premises and this
is not a notice of relocation eligibility.
What is happening at the Park? The Housing Authority and its partners are focused on implementing a
long-term stabilization plan that will include replacing all mobile homes with new units, constructing
new apartments to replace units that were previously onsite, and replacing and upgrading all Park
infrastructure. There will be significant onsite activity as a result.
What are your rights as Park occupants? Please see the attached information sheet about your rights as
Park occupants as the Park is redeveloped. In addition, we will meet individually with all households to
review your rights in detail as they relate to your personal housing circumstances.
What is the current plan for each household? Each family residing in the Park faces a set of
circumstances that are unique to the particular household depending upon their household
characteristics. We will schedule in person or virtual meetings between your household and your BV
Advisor to discuss and help create an Individual Housing Plan for your household.
If you have any questions at any time, please contact your BV Advisor, Ms. Lorena Serrano. Ms. Serrano
can assist you in English or Spanish, and will be available to meet you by phone, virtual meeting, or in-
person. You can reach her by calling 925-691-2806 or by email at BVAdvisor@arws.com.
Thank you for working with us as we plan to redevelop the Park and improve the quality of life at Buena
Vista.
This General Information Notice was sent via USPS First Class Certified Mail (Return Receipt Requested)
and email to ______________ on ______________.
Signature: ____________________________
Page 2 of 3
General Information Notice
Persons who are required to move personal property or who are required to move from a residence
may be eligible to receive relocation advisory services and payments in accordance with federal and
state relocation laws and applicable local ordinances1. Poco has retained Associated Right of Way
Services, Inc. (AR/WS) to provide you with relocation advisory assistance. We invite you to meet with
your BV Advisor, Ms. Lorena Serrano of AR/WS, who can provide additional information concerning the
project and your rights to receive relocation assistance.
This notice does not require you to move at this time. This is not a notice to vacate. Please contact your
BV Advisor before you make any moving plans. Failure to do so could jeopardize the relocation
assistance that may be available to you.
Please also be advised that you should continue to pay your rent and meet all other obligations as
specified in your lease agreement. If you are required to move temporarily because of Poco’s
redevelopment work, Poco will pay your temporary housing costs, but you will need to continue to pay
your current rent to Poco both prior to any temporary move and during the time that you are in
temporary housing. Failure to continue paying your current rent may be cause for eviction. If you choose
to move or if you are evicted prior to receiving a formal notice of relocation eligibility you will not be
eligible to receive relocation assistance.
Poco’s Housing Assistance Program has been developed in accordance with federal and state laws and
applicable local ordinances. The Housing Assistance Program is briefly described below.
Advisory Assistance. A BV Advisor is available to help Park residents as the Park is being
redeveloped. Your BV Advisor will provide you with information concerning your eligibility for
housing assistance, moving payments, available housing options, the project scheduling, and
how to file a claim for payment.
Moving Expenses. If Poco asks your household to move because of Poco’s redevelopment
work, you will receive assistance with moving and storage costs.
Temporary Housing Costs. If Poco asks you to move temporarily because of Poco’s
redevelopment work, Poco will cover the reasonable cost of your temporary housing. You will
need to continue to pay your rent to Poco while you are living in temporary housing.
Replacement Housing Costs. Poco does not intend to permanently displace any
households. However, if the phasing of onsite replacement housing requires an off-site move for
more than 12 months, then Poco will cover your replacement housing costs for 42 months, and
your BV advisor will help create an Individual Housing Plan for your household to move you into
comparable replacement housing that is within your financial means.
Timing of Payments. Fully documented and reasonable relocation claims will be processed
within 30 days of submission. Poco will pay approved claims, and will advise claimants if any
portion of a claim is not approved.
1The Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970, as amended (42 USC §4601 et
seq.) (Federal law), California Relocation Assistance Law, (Gov Code §7260 et seq.) (State Law), and local ordinances.
Page 3 of 3
Your Right to Appeal. You may appeal if you believe Poco has failed to properly determine
eligibility, or the amount of payments authorized by applicable law. You have the right to be
represented by legal counsel, but legal representation is not required. You may seek judicial
review if you are not satisfied with the final determination.
Poco will administer all services and benefits without regard to race, color, or national origin, in
compliance with Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. Federal law requires persons seeking federally
funded relocation assistance to certify that they are a United States citizen or national, or an alien
lawfully present in the United States. Alternative assistance may be available for eligible persons who
are not able to document residency status. BV Advisors will work closely with each household to
establish eligibility under federal, state, and applicable local assistance programs.
Again, if you have any questions about this notice or the proposed project, please contact: Lorena
Serrano, BV Advisor with ARWS. You can reach her by calling 925-691-2806 or by email at BVAdvisor@arws.com. Ms. Serrano can assist you in English or Spanish, and will be available to meet
you by phone, virtual meeting, or in-person.
Buena Vista
Design Town Hall 3
Jan. 26, 2023
When the Housing Authority purchased the Park in 2017, we entered into a Regulatory Agreement with
the City of Palo Alto and the County of Santa Clara. The Regulatory Agreement requires that we:
1.Improve the Park, and
2.Adjust to rents as defined in the Regulatory Agreement
As we start with the redevelopment of the Park, our goal remains the same:
Provide new housing for all current Park residents
Improve
amenities
and utilities
Preserve
ownership
Housing
remains
affordable
Housing for
all current
residents/
families
#1
#2 #3 #4
01 Stay at Buena Vista
and purchase a new
coach
02 Stay at Buena Vista, sell
your home, and become
an apartment renter
03 Move from Buena
Vista and request a
voluntary relocation
assistance
$
Information we will provide to help make your decision:
1.Estimated space rent amount, estimated mortgage amount (if any), utility information, estimated
taxes/registration/insurance, unit size and bedroom configuration
2.Estimated apartment rent, utility information, unit size and bedroom configuration
3.Voluntary relocation assistance amount
Options for current Owners
Redevelopment Goals for Buena Vista
You have a home at Buena Vista
Project Timeline
Stay Connected
1.Feel free to email us at bvadvisor@arws.com
2.Keep an eye out for emails and for the invitation to our next community meeting
01 Stay at Buena Vista, sell
your home, and become
an apartment renter
02 Move from Buena
Vista and request a
voluntary relocation
assistance
$
Information we will provide to
help make your decision:
1.Estimated apartment rent,
utility information, unit
size and bedroom
configuration
2.Voluntary relocation
assistance amount
Since we are using public funds on the redevelopment of the Park, we must comply with the Uniform
Relocation Assistance and Real Properties Acquisition Policies Act (URA). The URA requires us to
notice you of your relocation rights. What are the noticing requirements under the URA?
●General Information Notice (GIN) Informs you of the project and that you may be displaced by
the project. GINs will be provided tonight and posted for all residents tomorrow.
●Notice of Relocation Eligibility If you are being relocated, this notice informs you of your
eligibility for relocation assistance and payments. To be determined
●90-Day Notice If you are being relocated, this notice informs you of the earliest date by which
you will be required to move. This notice may not be issued unless a comparable replacement
dwelling is available and you are informed of its location. To be determined
Resident Rights
Options for current Renters
Buena Vista
3ra Junta de diseño del
Ayuntamiento
26 de enero, 2023
Cuando la Autoridad de Vivienda compró el Parque en 2017, entramos en un Acuerdo Regulatorio con la
Ciudad de Palo Alto y el Condado de Santa Clara. El Acuerdo Regulatorio requiere que:
1.Hagamos mejoras al Parque, y que
2.Nos ajustemos a los alquileres según se definen en el Acuerdo Regulatorio
Al comenzar con la remodelación del Parque, nuestro objetivo sigue siendo el mismo:
Proporcionar nuevas viviendas para todos los residentes actuales del Parque
Mejorar las
instalaciones
y los
servicios
públicos
Preservar la
propiedad
Las viviendas
siguen
siendo
asequibles
Vivienda
para todos
los
residentes
/familias
actuales
#1
#2 #3
#4
01 Quédese en Buena
Vista y compre una
nueva casa
prefabricada
02 Quédese en Buena Vista,
venda su casa, y conviértase
en un inquilino de los
apartamentos
03 Múdese de Buena Vista
y solicite asistencia de
reubicación
voluntaria
$
Información que le proporcionaremos para ayudarle a tomar su decisión:
1.Monto estimado del alquiler del espacio, monto estimado de la hipoteca (si corresponde),
información de servicios públicos, impuestos estimados / registro / seguro, tamaño de la unidad y
configuración de habitaciones
2.Alquiler estimado del apartamento, información de servicios públicos, tamaño de la unidad y
configuración de habitaciones
3.Monto de la ayuda para la reubicación voluntaria
Opciones para propietarios actuales
Objetivos de reurbanización para Buena Vista
Usted tiene un hogar en Buena Vista
Cronograma del proyecto
Manténgase conectado
1.No dude en enviarnos un correo electrónico a bvadvisor@arws.com
2.Esté atento a los correos electrónicos y a la invitación a nuestra próxima reunión de la comunidad
01 Quédese en Buena Vista,
venda su casa, y conviértase
en un inquilino de los
apartamentos
02
$
Información que le
proporcionaremos para ayudarle a
tomar su decisión:
1.Alquiler estimado del
apartamento, información de
servicios públicos, tamaño de
la unidad y configuración de
habitaciones
2.Monto de la ayuda para la
reubicación voluntaria
Dado que estamos utilizando fondos públicos en la reurbanización del Parque, debemos cumplir con la
Ley Uniforme de Asistencia de Reubicación y Políticas de Adquisición de Bienes Inmuebles (URA
por sus siglas en inglés). La URA requiere que le notifiquemos sus derechos de reubicación. ¿Cuáles son
los requisitos de notificación bajo la URA?
●Nota de información general (GIN por sus siglas en inglés) Le informa del proyecto y que
puede ser desplazado por el proyecto. Los GIN se proporcionarán esta noche y se publicarán para
todos los residentes mañana.
●Aviso de Elegibilidad Para la Reubicación Si está siendo reubicado, este aviso le informa de su
elegibilidad para asistencia y pagos de reubicación. Por determinarse
●Aviso de 90 días Si está siendo reubicado, este aviso le informa de la fecha más temprana en la
que se le pedirá que se mude. Este aviso no puede emitirse a menos que haya una vivienda de
reemplazo comparable disponible y se le informe de su ubicación. Por determinarse
Derechos de los residentes
Opciones para inquilinos actuales
Múdese de Buena Vista y
solicite asistencia de
reubicación voluntaria