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


May is Affordable Housing Month in the East Bay
AFF HOUSING MONTH
Celebrate #AffordableHousingMonth at one of the amazing events scheduled during East Bay Affordable Housing Month, courtesy of East Bay Housing Organizations.

You can also celebrate creatively through color! Click here to download your own coloring book page.

Visit www.EBHO.org or www.affordablehousingmonth.org for more.

Richmond Neighborhood Housing Services is administering the California Association of Realtors Housing Affordability Fund supporting first-time homebuyers to realize their homeownership dreams. The program helps first-time homebuyers bridge the affordability gap by providing them with up to $10,000 in closing cost assistance that is fully forgiven with no repayment. Each grant is provided to low-to-moderate income (120% area median income and below) first-time homebuyers who utilize the services of a CA REALTOR®. There will be three rounds of funding to support 25 grants. Applications will be available beginning February 1, 2022. Program criteria, frequently asked questions, and the application form can be viewed at https://www.richmondnhs.org/haf-closing-cost-assistance-grant-program/.



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

Events: Workshops and Webinars


First-time Homebuyer Workshop
June 2, 9, 16 and 23, 2022 – 6PM to 8PM
If you are a first-time homebuyer and considering homeownership in the Bay Area, this workshop has been designed for you. Richmond Neighborhood Housing Services is hosting a four part workshop series that will help you determine if you are ready for homeownership. Learn how to create a budget, repair credit, and become a successful homeowner. This is a virtual event and registration is available here or by visiting https://www.richmondnhs.org/

AFFORDABLE HOUSING WAITLIST OPPORTUNITIES

The Housing Authority of the County of Contra Costa will be opening the Project Based Voucher Waiting List for several properties located throughout Contra Costa County.
This opening is NOT for the Housing Choice Voucher Program but for Project-Based Voucher assisted units in the properties listed on this linked flyer ONLY. Some properties are for Seniors ONLY and some are family properties. For the senior properties, 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 linked Flyers provide the details for the opening. This opening is from 10 AM on June 13, 2022 until 4 PM on June 30th. Please note that after June 30th, the waiting lists will be closed except for the Terraces Senior Apartments in Richmond. 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, 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 or at our offices at 925-957-7085 or ie@contracostahousing.org.

Apply Here
Flyer English
Flyer Spanish

The Village at Town Center, 6410 Schmidt Lane, El Cerrito
There are currently two Below Market Rate (BMR) rental units available to households at or below moderate-income. This property is in close proximity to transit and washer/dryers are included in all units. Please review the BMR Flyer for income minimums/maximums and how to apply.
(2) One-bedroom renting for $2,120/per month

Home Match, Contra Costa County: Available Rooms Catalog (March 2022)
If you see something of interest, contact Home Match at 925-956-7385 or homematchcontracosta@frontporch.net.


May 2022 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 CCTR@centrolegal.org or 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)