Project Endorsement Criteria

Size

In the case of specific housing developments, the project should be at least 15 units. In exceptional cases, smaller projects will be considered, particularly if they address a need in an area of the county with limited affordable units.

Location

The project should be within an existing urban growth boundary or urban limit line.

Transportation Choices

To maximize transit usage and to reduce reliance on single occupancy vehicles the project should be within ½ mile of transit services and/or major job center or within ½ mile of a town or neighborhood center. Transit services are defined as a bus, BART, rail stop or park and ride facility. Projects within a ½ mile of freeway access may also be considered if the project meets other Coalition criteria.

We encourage communities to maximize density to the extent feasible in a given jurisdiction. Communities and developers who strive to improve their density should be rewarded for their efforts.

Workforce Housing

Housing and mixed-use proposals must make an effort to address workforce housing needs of the county. Projects must meet existing local ordinances for affordability. Land dedication, in lieu fees and other strategies that meet local ordinances can satisfy this requirement.

Community Input

Projects for which the developer has made good faith efforts to conduct community outreach and address local concerns.

Additional Project Goals

Projects which meet some or all of these additional project goals may be given additional consideration to offset unmet endorsement criteria.

Mixed Use projects within a Neighborhood, Downtown, Office Park or Commercial District

We encourage projects that aim to integrate people’s activities: work, shopping, entertainment, recreation, etc.  Auto-dependency is reduced where housing is located in close proximity to other uses such as retail, restaurants, schools, employment and frequently visited services.

Housing Unit Mix

Projects which include housing in a range of sizes (including number of bedrooms), types and price levels will be given additional consideration.

Reuse of Underutilized Land

We encourage projects that will revitalize existing neighborhoods by recycling land to better and more intensive uses, especially if they involve the clean up of contaminated sites. Often older neighborhoods are characterized by vacant lots, underutilized land, vacant storefronts, surface parking lots, abandoned brownfields, decaying strip malls, older commercial corridors and closed military bases. The sites often have a high potential for housing.

Ecological Design

Projects that have no significant unmitigatable ecological impacts, integrate the natural landscape, connect with open space and trails and/or use green building techniques to minimize environmental impact.

Preservation/Replacement

Projects that preserve at risk below market rate units or replace at risk below market rate units.

Project Application Form

Download a PDF of the project application support form by clicking here.

Send mail to keith@eastbayeda.org with questions or comments about this web site.