HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 2403-2741CITY OF PALO ALTO
CITY COUNCIL
Special Meeting
Monday, May 06, 2024
Council Chambers & Hybrid
5:30 PM
Agenda Item
3.Proclamation of May 2024 as Affordable Housing Month
City Council
Staff Report
From: City Manager
Report Type: SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY
Lead Department: Planning and Development Services
Meeting Date: May 6, 2024
Report #:2403-2741
TITLE
Proclamation of May 2024 as Affordable Housing Month
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommend that the City Council proclaim the month of May as Affordable Housing
Month in the City of Palo Alto.
BACKGROUND
Affordable Housing Month is a national observance in the United States that is typically held in
the month of May each year. The event was established to raise awareness about the need for
affordable housing and to recognize the important role that affordable housing plays in building
strong, sustainable, and inclusive communities.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A: Affordable Housing Month Proclamation
APPROVED BY:
Jonathan Lait, Planning and Development Services Director
AFFORDABLE HOUSING MONTH
WHEREAS, safe and affordable housing is a basic human right and yet, each year, thousands of Silicon Valley families and individuals struggle to find an affordable home in this expensive housing market; and WHEREAS, the City Council adopted the 6th Cycle Housing Element that outlines how 6,086 new housing units can be accommodated within Palo Alto by 2031, and includes implementation programs to increase the number
affordable housing units; and WHEREAS, the City actively pursues state and federal grant funds for affordable housing development, preservation, and rehabilitation, and WHEREAS, the City remains active in supporting affordable housing development and commits financial assistance for projects that include much needed lower-income units; and WHEREAS, the City established a local limit on rental security deposits in Palo Alto to one and a half times (1.5x) the monthly rent for unfurnished units, which is lower than the limit in current state law; and WHEREAS, the City supports families who live in Affordable Housing Communities in Palo Alto with grant funding for afterschool homework clubs, summer enrichment programs and family reading nights,
WHEREAS, the City has applied State permanent local housing allocation monies toward supporting new affordable housing at Matadero Creek and supports the retention of affordable housing at Buena Vista Mobile Home Park; and WHEREAS, the City has implemented meaningful actions to help those experiencing homelessness in Palo Alto through making permanent its safe parking ordinance, piloting an outreach worker program, piloting an overnight warming location, and providing funding and partnering to build an interim housing shelter on City-owned land; and WHEREAS, many organizations throughout Silicon Valley are dedicated to providing safe, stable permanent and affordable housing to all members of the community; these organizations along with local agencies and community members have organized Affordable Housing Month; and NOW, THEREFORE I, Greer Stone, Mayor of the City of Palo Alto, on behalf of the entire City Council, do hereby proclaim the month of May as Affordable Housing Month in the City of Palo Alto, to call upon our community to support affordable housing solutions and to recognize the successful efforts of the City of Palo Alto and its partners who seek to improve access to affordable housing in Palo Alto. Presented: May 6, 2024 ______________________________ Greer Stone Mayor
Proclamation