Health committee forwards Measure A1 fourth annual report after update showing housing and local-hire gains

Alameda County's Health Committee on Dec. 8 voted to forward the Measure A1 fourth annual report to the full Board of Supervisors for adoption after staff presented program outcomes and next steps. The report covers July 2020 through June 2022 and was described by county housing staff as a two-year progress update intended to bring reporting current.

The presentation from Michelle, a county housing official, said the Measure A1 portfolio included 54 rental projects during the reporting period (15 in predevelopment, 14 under construction and 25 completed) representing over 3,900 affordable rental units at that time and that Measure A1'funded programs have since produced roughly 4,300'4,400 units overall, exceeding the program's original 3,800-unit goal. "The report covers an executive summary," Michelle said, "and we continue to highlight that the Measure A1 program generates $6 from other funding sources for every $1 of Measure A1 funding."

The committee heard several program details cited in the report: the county'run homeownership program assisted 173 homeowners, held more than 800 workshops and produced about 220 completed applications; the county launched a Doorway single-application portal to streamline leasing and lotteries; and the county used an acquisition fund plus state Homekey awards to acquire two hotels that operated as shelters and are now being rehabilitated as permanent supportive housing.

Supervisors focused on oversight, operations and costs. Supervisor Lena Tam asked whether cities or housing authorities could operate sites and whether the county had estimates for ongoing operations; Michelle said the county secured federal Continuum of Care subsidies for the two Homekey properties but cautioned that subsidy availability could change, and estimated operating costs "between $11,000 and $14,000 per unit per year" for permanent supportive housing, with a promise to provide more detailed contracts and cost data to the committee.

Economic and workforce outcomes were raised as well. Committee members noted local contracting and hiring goals were exceeded: the report shows a 30% local-hire goal was surpassed with 42% of hours performed by local hires, and county staff said 105 Alameda County businesses participated in construction contracts (~$180 million) while 73 small local businesses won nearly $79 million in small/local contracts. Staff also previewed a union utilization report due to the committee in January, indicating preliminary union utilization of 80% to 85% among contractors working on Measure A1 projects.

The committee moved and seconded a procedural action to forward the report to the full board. The clerk recorded the roll and the motion passed. "Moved by Maile, 2nd by Tam," the record shows, and the clerk recorded yes votes from supervisors on the panel.

The committee asked staff to return with supplemental data requested during the hearing, including precise operating-cost estimates for the Homekey properties, application and leasing metrics from the Doorway portal, and the forthcoming union-utilization study. The report and the supplemental materials will go to the full board for formal adoption and additional oversight as requested.

The Health Committee recessed after completing the item and moved on to subsequent agenda items.