Where can I find information about affordable housing?
There are a number of public and private agencies that provide affordable housing. Information about low cost housing and other social services in Alameda County is available from Eden I & R's Community Housing and Information Network. Click here or call (510)537-2552. Most subsidized rental housing in the City of Alameda is managed by the Alameda Housing Authority. The Housing Authority also administers the Housing Choice voucher program. Some affordable rental projects are owned and managed by nonprofit organizations. For example, information on a 40-unit family housing project, Playa del Alameda, can be obtained by calling (510) 521-6919. For more information about housing for homeless individuals and their families, call the Alameda Point Collaborative at (510) 898-7800. (01/06)

Are there any new affordable housing projects in Alameda? Yes. There are several projects planned for development in Alameda. Approximately 150 units of low- and moderate-income housing at the Bayport Development are in various stages of planning and construction. Please see the Projects page for details. (08/04)

How do I get on the affordable housing waiting list?
The Housing Authority has waiting lists for the Housing Choice voucher program and for Housing Authority managed properties. For information about waiting lists, please visit the Housing Authority website at www.alamedahsg.org. The City of Alameda does not maintain any kind of waiting or interest list for new developments. Developers are responsible for maintaining any lists for their respective projects. (5/06)

What programs does the City of Alameda have available right now? The City of Alameda has several Housing Assistance Programs available right now, including a first-time homebuyer program and several rehabilitation loan programs. The City also offers free homebuyer workshops in Alameda. (8/04)

How long does it take to buy a house? The time it takes to buy a house can vary considerably based on a number of factors. The homebuying process includes: saving for a downpayment and closing costs, getting a mortgage loan, finding a real estate agent, working with the agent to find a house, making a purchase offer and getting the offer accepted. Once the purchase offer is accepted, it usually takes another 3 to 6 weeks to complete the transaction. In today's market in Alameda, there are many more buyers than houses available. This makes finding a house and getting a purchase offer accepted harder than in other parts of the country. The City of Alameda is offering a series of First Time Homebuyer Workshops that can help individual homebuyers learn about the home buying process. (8/04)


How do I apply for a Down Payment Assistance Program loan? The City's Down Payment Assistance Program offers generous financial assistance and great flexibility to first time homebuyers at a wide range of incomes. First Home, Inc. is administering the program. For more information, please call First Home directly, at (888) 572-1222 ext. 110. Click here to visit their website. (5/06)

I don’t live or work in Alameda. What is available for me? People who don’t live or work in Alameda are welcome to apply for many housing programs that the City of Alameda offers. However, under some circumstances selection preference is given to Alameda residents and employees. (10/10/2000)


Is there rent control in the City of Alameda?
No. The City does have a Rent Review Advisory Committee that reviews and mediates substantial rent increases. The volunteer Committee members (3 landlords, 3 tenants and 1 homeowner) are appointed by the Mayor and City Council to provide a neutral forum. The process starts when a tenant files a Rental Increase Complaint Form. This form can be completed on-line. Please print and mail to the address indicated on the form. If you have problems opening or printing the form, please call 749-5800 to request a Rental Increase Complaint form, or send an E-mail. (03/28/2007)


What do I do if my landlord doesn’t fix a problem in my unit? Sentinel Fair Housing is a nonprofit organization funded by the City to advise you of landlord/tenant rights and responsibilities, including repair issues, and to mediate with your landlord on your behalf. In some cases, Sentinel may refer you to the City’s Code Compliance Officer, but there may be a quicker and easier way to solve the problem. For more information on Sentinel Fair Housing, call (510) 836-2687 or send an E-mail to Sentinel Fair Housing. You can also visit their website, at www.sentinelfairhousing.org.

To view a list of resources for renters, click here. Also check your local branch of the Alameda Free Library for a copy of California Tenants: A Guide to Residential Tenants’ and Landlords’ Rights and Responsibilities or go to: http://www.dca.ca.gov/legal/ landlordbook. (8/20/2003)


I want to make improvements to my house. Do I need a permit? Permits are required for virtually all work performed on a home. The Alameda Building Code provides exemptions from permits for the following residential projects: wood fences not over 6'-0" high, retaining walls not over 3'-0" high, painting, wallpapering, floor covering, and similar finish work. If a project is not included in the list of exempted items please call Building Services and check what permits are needed prior to the start of any project. Building Services also has online information and applications for permits. For more information, please visit the City of Alameda website by clicking here, or call Building Services at (510)747-6800. (8/04)

What is the City’s Housing Authority?
The City’s Housing Authority owns and/or manages 573 housing units throughout the City of Alameda for very low and low income households. The Housing Authority also manages approximately 1,600 Housing Choice vouchers which are given to low income residents to use in the private market. This rental subsidy offsets the cost of housing so that households pay no more than 40% of their income for rent. Other City offices, such as the Development Services Department, work with the Housing Authority and other public and private entities to increase the availability of affordable rental and ownership housing for low and moderate income households and to preserve the existing affordable housing stock in Alameda. If you are interested in getting more information about the Alameda Housing Authority, you may visit their website at www.alamedahsg.org. (8/04)

The Affordable Housing Unit/Fee is a housing impact fee which applies to any change of commercial use and non-residential new construction. The purpose of the fee is to help provide housing for persons with moderate incomes who are employed by new and expanding businesses. All developers/owners of privately owned retail, office, warehouse, manufacturing, or hotel/motel properties must pay the fee. The requirement also applies for certain changes in use, with or without new construction. Changes from residential to manufacturing, warehouse, retail, office or hotel/motel; from manufacturing or warehouse to retail; from manufacturing or warehouse to office; and from retail to office space are all subject to the Affordable Housing Unit/Fee. The City uses the Affordable Housing Fee fund for land acquisition, construction, rehabilitation, subsidization, counseling, or cooperation to expand affordable housing opportunities in Alameda.

 
What is Required?

The requirements vary according to the use of the building. The requirement may also be satisfied by providing housing units, which must be kept affordable for at least 59 years.