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Alameda staff propose flexible options to update inclusionary housing rule as developers warn projects are unaffordable
Summary
City planning staff recommended recalibrating Alameda’s 15% inclusionary requirement by tenure, expanding in‑lieu fee options (per square foot), and lengthening affordability terms; developers urged lower in‑lieu rates to keep projects financeable and housing advocates pushed for more very‑low‑income units.
Alameda planning staff told the City Council on Dec. 2 that the city’s 20‑year‑old inclusionary housing ordinance—15% affordable across the board—no longer matches local need or current market conditions and should be updated to give developers and the city more flexible tools.
“During our last housing element update, we discovered that our current inclusionary ordinance … doesn’t quite meet our actual local need,” Planning Director Alan Tai told council. Staff proposed separating rental and ownership requirements, expanding in‑lieu (mitigation) fees charged per net residential square foot, allowing clustered off‑site units in some cases, and extending deed‑restriction terms from 59 to 99 years.
Why it matters: Alameda must meet a regional housing target of 5,350 units for 2023–31, but permit activity is far below that pace.…
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