pages: CityCouncil/2021-10-05.pdf, 12
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CityCouncil | 2021-10-05 | 12 | which the Community Development Director responded in the affirmative; stated the units are part of an affordable project. The Development Manager stated any affordable housing helps keep people housed and prevent homelessness, which is a key part of the Plan. Ms. Wehrman stated a list was not created; action steps are to complete analysis; regarding locations, proximity to amenities is included for housing sites. Councilmember Herrera Spencer stated lists being presented should be clear to the public; data related to Alameda's unhoused population is useful; questioned whether the goals are related to Alameda or would be recommended for any city; stated that she would like to spend more time on what the goals mean for Alameda; everyone supports the first goal, but she needs to know what it looks like and how it is going to apply to Alameda; the Plan is very general and should include more specific asks; she is concerned about providing housing and services that is based on the data; the goals are vague; Council should be weighing in and making decision about specific properties; inquired what Council is being asked to approve. The Community Development Director stated staff has been exploring specific projects, including scattered sites, emergency transitional housing, the bottle parcel and the Marina Village Inn, and will come to Council in the near future; staff is gearing up for Homekey project and funds; a provider has to be selected; the City needs a partner to do the projects. The Economic Development Manager stated the specific action steps included in the Plan are generalized; staff will return with more specifics. Councilmember Herrera Spencer stated there is a Housing Authority in Alameda; inquired whether the City is creating its own Housing Department, to which the Community Development Director responded in the negative; stated State and County funding is available to the City; staff is looking at opportunities available to the City. Councilmember Herrera Spencer stated the Housing Authority used to be part of the City and really still is since the Board is selected by Council; the Housing Authority was separated to make it more efficient, able to apply for grants, streamline processes and end up with more money available for the cause; she would like the Plan to include working with the Housing Authority; she supports the Housing Authority; she has concerns about staff duplicating efforts; there should be increased conversations with the Housing Authority to ensure as much money as possible goes to the cause; there should not be more City Hall staff as opposed to the Housing Authority, which provides the same service; her preference would be for the City to work with the Housing Authority. Vice Mayor Vella stated the objective is to have broad goals for staff to follow while exploring different solutions to the problems; issues, such as housing, do not have a Regular Meeting Alameda City Council October 5, 2021 11 | CityCouncil/2021-10-05.pdf |