Housing Programs

Housing Programs Overview
The mission of the Housing Program is to foster the creation of high-quality affordable housing at all income levels and for a variety of needs. The Housing staff administers housing policy and programs, and offers information about affordable housing opportunities in the City of El Cerrito.
 

 

 
In August 2017, the City Council adopted the City’s first Affordable Housing Strategy. The Strategy identified four policy pillars, with associated strategies, action items and timelines to proactively achieve the City’s affordable housing goals to protect, produce and preserve housing. Click here to view a summary of the policies identified in the Strategy.

Learn more about community housing resources:
  • Look up resources for finding affordable housing in El Cerrito.
  • Find help with housing issues such as foreclosure or tenant/landlord counseling.
  • Find housing-related City documents.
  • Contact us with another housing-related question

Affordable HOUSING NEWS

SSVF
SHELTER, Inc.’s Supportive Service for Veteran Families (SSVF) Program is excited to announce new funding to support a new housing subsidy service for Veterans in Contra Costa County! The SSVF Program will provide rental assistance payments to landlords on behalf of the Veteran household for a period of 24-months to very low-income and extremely low-incomes. The rental assistance is at a fixed rate every month, covering a certain percentage of the rent (35%), regardless of changes in the Veteran household’s income or monthly rent amount. SHELTER, Inc. is excited to now be able to offer this to SSVF Participants as it expands the length of time and amount of rental assistance applied, and allows Veterans more time to achieve long term housing stability. This subsidy can also be combined with state and local housing subsidies. If you know a Veteran who is homeless or at-risk of homelessness (i.e. behind on rent), please have them reach out to SHELTER, Inc.’s SSVF program today at 925-957-7592 for assistance!

Attention: COVID-19 Resources for Homeowners/renters - Click Here

CA COVID‐19 Rent Relief Available to Income Eligible Households


Rent Relief
The CA COVID-19 Rent Relief Program will help income-eligible El Cerrito tenants and landlords with up 80% of rent reimbursement for unpaid rent incurred dating back to April 1, 2020. The federal Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 provided over $75 million in funding to Contra Costa County established through the State of CA COVID-19 Tenant Relief Act. If you have experienced a financial hardship due to COVID‐19, have past due rent or utilities, and have a household income that is not more than 80% of the area median income (as shown here), you may be eligible to receive financial assistance. Both landlords and tenants can verify eligibility and apply for assistance by visiting HousingIsKey.com, or by calling 833‐430‐2122. In Contra Costa County, you can access the Eviction Rental Assistance Fact Sheet here for more info. The following providers will be able to support tenants and landlord access these funds:
CA COVID-19 Rent Relief Program - Housing is Key Webinar
As part of the State of California partnership network - Richmond Neighborhood Housing Services - is hosting an educational webinar about the CA COVID-19 Rent Relief Program on October 4 at 6:00pm. At this session, renters and property owners will learn about program eligibility and the application process. Click here to register.

Events: Workshops and Webinars



FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYER WORKSHOPS: October 23 and 30, 2021 from 10AM – 3PM
ECHO Housing is hosting a series of first-time homebuyer education courses to residents of Contra Costa and Alameda Counties. These workshops will help determine if you are ready for homeownership, how to select a lender, shop for a home and become a successful homeowner. Click here to register or visit www.echofairhousing.org

AFFORDABLE HOUSING WAITLIST OPPORTUNITIES

Blake at Berkeley: Greystar is accepting applications for four new below market rate housing units in Berkeley. Applications are due by November 1, 2021. Please visit the Alameda County Housing Portal here https://housing.acgov.org for more information on how to apply.

Helios Corner – Berkeley, CA: The waiting list at Helios Corner opens on October 21, 2021, at 9:00 AM. Applications must be submitted online by 5:00 PM on October 28, 2021. All household members must be age 62 or older. A lottery will be conducted for all applications received by the deadline. Please visit www.sahahomes.org/apply for more information.

Stuart Pratt Manor – Berkeley, CA: The waiting list at Stuart Pratt Manor opens on October 21, 2021, at 9:00 AM. Applications must be submitted online by 5:00 PM on October 28, 2021. The head of household must be age 62 or older at time of application. A lottery will be conducted for all applications received by the deadline. Please visit www.sahahomes.org/apply for more information.

Robin Lane Apartments – Concord, CA: The waiting list at Robin Lane opens on October 21, 2021, at 9:00 AM. Applications must be submitted online by 5:00 PM on October 28, 2021. The head of household must be 18 or older, or legally emancipated. A lottery will be conducted for all applications received by the deadline. Please visit www.sahahomes.org/apply for more information.

Acalanes Court – Walnut Creek: The waiting list at Acalanes Court opens on October 14, 2021, at 9:00 AM. Applications must be submitted online by 5:00 PM on October 21, 2021. The head of household must be 18 or older, or legally emancipated. A lottery will be conducted for all applications received by the deadline. Please visit www.sahahomes.org/apply for more information.

Foon Lok West: Oakland, CA: MidPen Housing is accepting applications for 103 new affordable housing units in Oakland. Applications are due by November 1, 2021 at 5PM. Please visit the Alameda County Housing Portal here https://housing.acgov.org for more information on how to apply.

The Housing Authority of the County of Contra Costa will be opening the Project Based Voucher Waiting List for one property located in the City of Richmond. This opening is NOT for the Housing Choice Voucher Program but for Project Based Voucher assisted units in this one property ONLY. The Terraces Senior Apartments is accepting applications for Studio to 4 Bedroom units located at 2100 Nevin Avenue in Richmond, CA. THE HEAD OF HOUSEHOLD OR SPOUSE MUST BE 62 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER TO APPLY. APPLICATIONS FROM NON-ELDERLY APPLICANTS WILL BE REJECTED.

The flyers in English and Spanish provide the details for the opening. This opening is from 10 AM on August 2 and will be open on an on-going basis until further notice. There are units available for leasing and this is a critical opportunity for applicants to be considered for immediate housing. Once fully-occupied, applicants will have to wait, in some cases, possibly years until the next opportunity presents itself.

The opening will only be an electronic format and no paper applications will be available. Reasonable Accommodations for elderly or disabled clients can be made for anyone needing individual assistance either by telephone – 925.957.7001 - or at the Housing Authority of the County of Contra Costa office – 2870 Howe Road Martinez, CA 94553.

October 2021 Affordable Housing Opportunities – All Bay Area Counties (Courtesy of Openhouse)

To learn about future affordable housing opportunities, please subscribe to our Community Development e-Newsletter here.

TENANT PROTECTIONS: CLICK HERE TO READ MORE


The Contra Costa Housing Services Collaborative offers comprehensive housing services, including tenant/landlord counseling as well as fair housing to County residents at no cost. For legal consultation or representation, please contact Centro Legal at 510-437-1554.

INCLUSIONARY HOUSING PROGRAM
On May 15, 2018, the City Council adopted an Inclusionary Zoning Ordinance as identified in the 2017 Affordable Housing Strategy. The Ordinance is effective June 14, 2018 and applies to new development that does not already have completed applications by the effective date. Inclusionary zoning requires new market-rate residential projects to set aside between 10% - 12% of its units for low to moderate-income households or the option of paying an in-lieu fee to the City’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund. In-lieu fees are earmarked for future affordable housing development opportunities.

Please contact Aissia Ashoori, Affordable Housing Analyst, at 510.215.4361 for more information.

Developer Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)