City of Newark - Housing

HOUSING ELEMENT
The California Legislature has declared early attainment of a decent home and a satisfactory living environment for all Californians a high priority (Health and Safety Code, Section 5002). To help attain this goal, all local governments are required by the legislature to adopt and periodically update a housing element as part of their general plans. The link below will bring you to Newark's housing element update for the seven-year period from 1999 to 2006.

Housing Element (171k pdf file)

As part of Program 8 of the housing element, a study was completed about the feasibility of rezoning some land along Cedar Boulevard from industrial to residential. Click here to see that study.

HOUSING PROGRAM FOR RENTERS
Newark does not currently have any city-run rental housing programs. At times, affordable rental units may be provided through the city’s inclusionary housing program. Information will be posted on this website when units are available. Several other organizations do provide assistance to Newark residents, however. Click here for a list and contact information.

ECHO Housing provides fair housing services and tenant/landlord counseling and mediation to Newark residents. Renters who believe that they have been discriminated against in the housing market or who need assistance for a dispute with their landlord can contact ECHO at (510) 581-9380.

FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYER RESOURCES
Click here for information about programs that may be of interest to first-time homebuyers in Newark. The City of Newark does not directly build or sell housing. At times, affordable units may become available through the city’s inclusionary housing program. Information will be posted on this website when units are available.

HOUSING PROGRAMS FOR HOMEOWNERS
Low-income homeowners may be able to participate in the Emergency Minor Home Repair Program or Rehabilitation Loan Program for their owner-occupied residences. The Minor Home Repair Program is meant to correct immediate threats to the health and safety of homeowners, such as replacing water heaters or smoke detectors, or repairing minor plumbing or electrical problems. The Rehabilitation Program addresses larger repairs and improvements, such as repairing roofs or termite damage, or replacing a furnace or electrical system. Both programs are administered by Alameda County. For more information, call 510-670-5398.

INFORMATION FOR HOUSING DEVELOPERS
The City of Newark has an inclusionary housing ordinance that requires at least 15% of the units in all new residential projects to be made available as below market rate housing. Click here for the inclusionary housing ordinance. To help with implementation of this program, staff has prepared a worksheet developers can use to determine the number of units that would be required in each income category. Click here for that worksheet.

Maximum prices for inclusionary units are calculated based on what a household at the mid-point of each income level range can afford to spend on housing. Click here for a sheet showing the maximum prices based on 2007 incomes.

INFORMATION FOR LANDLORDS
The Alameda County Rental Rehabilitation Loan Program provides low interest loans to owners of multifamily buildings for rehabilitation and construction improvements if the buildings meet certain requirements. The main objectives of the program are to eliminate substandard housing conditions, create and maintain affordable housing and bring properties into conformance with the County’s Residential Rehabilitation Standards. Click here for more information about this program.

ECHO Housing provides fair housing services and tenant/landlord counseling and mediation for Newark. Landlords who need assistance with a dispute with a tenant can contact ECHO at (510) 581-9380.

FOR MORE INFORMATION
To find out more about any of these programs, please contact Karen Kristiansson at karen.kristiansson@newark.org or by phone at 510-578-4335.