Trish Henry – Housing & Community Development Department

Why a California Plan to Build More Homes Is Failing

May 29, 2024 by Trish Henry

California state Sen. Toni Atkins is working to fix some of the obstacles homeowners meet when trying to build under SB9. A middle-aged lady sitting in front of the California State Flag wearing a red outfit

By Christine Mai-Duc, Wall Street Journal Only a few dozen people have built housing under a law allowing them to construct duplexes alongside single-family houses When California legislators voted in 2021 to eliminate zoning laws that require neighborhoods to have only single family homes, supporters celebrated it as a tool to alleviate the state’s crippling housing shortage. Opponents … Read more

Renting Forever and Trying to Create a Strong Financial Future

May 20, 2024 by Trish Henry

A couple playing air hockey on an apartment complex's community center, an open airy space with huge floor to celling windows and comfortable couches

By Paulette Perhach, New York Times Either by choice or because they are priced out of the market, many people plan to never stop renting. Building wealth without home equity requires a different mind-set. As in any other market, predicting the future of rent charges is impossible. Rents could deflate as they did during the pandemic … Read more

Play with the New York Times Rent v. Buy Calculator

May 13, 2024 by Trish Henry

A screen shot of the New York Times Rent or Buy calculator, it has multiple siders to change setting to see if you will save more money renting or buying a home

Running the numbers It is the biggest financial decision for many younger adults: Should I rent a home or buy one? The decision is especially difficult these days, with both interest rates and rents having risen in the past few years. To help people understand the trade-offs, The Times has just relaunched its popular rent-versus-buy … Read more

Achieve Homeownership with AC Boost!

May 2, 2024 by Trish Henry

AC Boost Social Media Graphic, on the left is people hugging, on the right, it tells about the AC Boost program

AC Boost can be the key to unlocking the door to your new home in Alameda County. Offering up to $210,00 in shared appreciation loans, the pre-applications deadline is May 15, 2024. Apply Now! Go to AC Boost to apply today.

New Bidder’s Conference: RFP for Organizations to Serve as Program Administrator for Anti-Displacement and Homelessness Prevention

April 19, 2024March 28, 2024 by Trish Henry

A man and woman are going over reports in an office

HCD is issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP) from organizations interested in serving as the Program Administrator for a countywide Anti-Displacement and Homelessness Prevention Housing Stabilization Services Program, Alameda County Housing Secure.

The Gap Report: A Shortage of Affordable Homes

March 14, 2024March 14, 2024 by Trish Henry

A map of the USA showing what each state has for the lowest-income renters. The darker red indicate the worst states, including: AK, AZ, CA, CO, FL, NJ, NV, TX, VA, VT, WA.

No State Has an Adequate Supply of Affordable Rental Housing for the Lowest-Income Renters The U.S. has a shortage of 7.3 million rental homes affordable and available to renters with extremely low incomes – that is, incomes at or below either the federal poverty guideline or 30% of their area median income, whichever is greater. … Read more

Take the Unincorporated Areas of Alameda County – Housing Conditions Questionnaire

October 30, 2023 by Trish Henry

Screen shot of Unincorporated County Housing Conditions Survey

To better understand the quality of the housing stock in the Unincorporated Areas of Alameda County, the Community Development Agency wants to know information on housing conditions. This information will help guide the direction of future policy. Take the survey

New Housing Needs in Alameda County Website Live

October 30, 2023 by Trish Henry

Housing Needs in Alameda County website screenshot of home page

Check out our new Proposed Regional housing Bond website, Housing Needs in Alameda County, or https://housingneedsac.org/. There you’ll be able to request a listening and sharing session for your community group, share a story, and take a survey about your thoughts on housing in Alameda County.

Measure A1 Citizen Oversight Committee

January 3, 2024September 13, 2023 by Trish Henry

HCD is inviting nominations of people to serve on the Measure A1 Citizen Oversight Committee from the following groups: Residents of Subsidized Housing, Faith Communities, the Alameda County City Managers Association, the League of Women Voters of Alameda County and a resident of District 5. Learn more about the committee. Committee members can expect to attend regular public … Read more

Measure A1 Reporting Site

September 13, 2023 by Trish Henry

The new reporting website for Measure A-1 has launched! The Measure A1 Bond program provides $580 million in funding to create and preserve affordable housing for residents most in need.