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Residents urge Brentwood to pursue housing for adults with disabilities as council approves progress report
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Summary
During review of the 2025 housing element annual progress report, parents and residents pressed the council to pursue accessible affordable housing (citing Sunflower Hill models). Staff said nonprofit partnerships are possible but require land or developer collaboration; the council approved the progress report.
Parents and advocates told the Brentwood City Council on March 31 that the city lacks housing options tailored for adults with developmental disabilities and that the housing element process should prioritize accessible and supportive housing.
"Brentwood does not have any housing for people with disabilities," said Tanya Street, who described caregiving challenges and called for locally available supported-living options similar to Sunflower Hill in Pleasanton. Myrna Remson and a written statement from her daughter echoed the concern: Christina Remson, who identified herself in the transcript as a 38-year-old with Down syndrome, said she wants to return to Brentwood but cannot find affordable, supportive housing.
Principal Planner Jennifer Hagen told the council that Sunflower Hill and similar nonprofit developers are interested in projects but that such developments typically require extensive partnerships, donated or acquired land and multiple funding sources. "It would take extensive partnership...part of our programs within our housing element is to create those relationships with private entities, with housing developers, and put them in connection with companies or nonprofits like Sunflower Hill," she said.
Council members discussed statewide housing production obligations, affordability tiers, and the risk of a "builder's remedy" if the city does not meet required progress. Council member Mendoza summarized the challenge with the city’s housing cycle targets and encouraged residents to sign up for affordable-housing waitlists when units become available.
After public comment and staff responses, a motion to approve the housing element annual progress report for calendar year 2025 was made and carried by voice vote.
The record shows the council accepted the report and directed staff to continue pursuing partnership opportunities and to brief interested residents on how to stay informed about affordable-unit lotteries and potential project sites.
