Article 21 — Affordable Housing

The purpose of this article is to provide location/developmental standards which encourage the development of affordable housing to meet the housing needs of the City's various economic segments, and to ensure that such development promotes the furtherance of the public's health, safety, and welfare and is compatible with the existing uses and structures. These standards are intended to facilitate the provision of quality, affordable housing in the community. (§ 2, Ord. 848-NS, eff. January 21, 2010)

Affordable housing developments are allowed in compliance with Table IV-1 (Allowed Land Uses), and shall be located/developed in the following manner, where the application of these standards is shown to reduce the financial encumbrance of providing affordable dwelling units within the project:

1. A minimum of 20% of the units provided shall be set aside as affordable units. Residential occupancy shall be restricted to families meeting the income criteria and affordability standards specified herein.

2. Affordable housing/affordable units means housing capable of being rented by a household with "very low" or "low" income at an "affordable rent," or purchased by a household with "low" or "moderate" income at an "affordable housing cost."

3. A "density bonus" of between twenty (20%) to 35% above the maximum permitted under zoning may be granted if the development proposal is in compliance with the applicable provisions of Article 22 of this chapter.

4. A reduction in lot size may be granted to a residential development project proposing to include affordable units, as determined by the Director, provided said reduction will serve to facilitate the development of affordable units.

5. Minimum floor area/unit size requirements shall be as follows:

6. Floor area ratios for all affordable housing developments shall conform to the standards of the underlying zoning district.

7. A height increase, of up to 10 feet above the maximum permitted within the underlying zoning district may be granted. Where a qualified project is within, or adjacent to, a residential zoning district, the portion of the building exceeding the allowed building height shall be stepped back an additional foot for every foot over the maximum height allowed by the zone.

8. Minimum off-street parking requirements per residential dwelling unit, applicable to all units within an affordable housing development, inclusive of handicap accessible parking shall be as follows:

9. All setbacks shall comply with the minimum setback requirements as set forth within the underlying zoning district.

10. Open space requirements shall be applicable to all units within the development as indicated below.

11. All residential dwelling units within an affordable housing development project, regardless of affordability restriction, shall not differ in appearance and shall be designed to contain all the same amenities, architectural features, and/or any other similar element(s).

12. Prior to the issuance of a building permit, a covenant, acceptable to the City of Huntington Park Community Development Department, shall be required to be recorded for all affordable housing development projects seeking to apply the aforementioned standards. Said covenant shall specify the type (e.g. very low, low, and moderate-income) and quantity (e.g., twenty (20%), 30%) of affordable units to be provided within the project and the term of affordability (e.g., 30 years, 55 years).

(§ 2, Ord. 848-NS, eff. January 21, 2010)

All affordable housing developments shall be subject to all applicable regulations of this Code, including provisions located in the following Articles:

1. Article 10 of Chapter 2, Development Permits.

2. Article 4 of this chapter, Landscaping Standards.

3. Article 1 of this chapter, Property Development Standards.

4. Article 11 of this chapter, Senior Citizen/Congregate Care Housing.

5. Article 13 of this chapter, Single Room Occupancy Facilities. (§ 2, Ord. 848-NS, eff. January 21, 2010)