Riverbank reviews housing progress as fifth cycle reports 509 units built by 2023

The Riverbank Planning Commission has taken a significant step towards addressing the city's housing needs by recommending the submission of the annual progress report to state agencies. This report highlights the city's efforts in increasing its housing stock and meeting established goals during the 2023 calendar year.

During the meeting on March 19, 2024, city officials discussed the importance of the housing element, a critical component of the city's general plan that outlines how Riverbank will grow and develop over the next eight years. The report must be submitted to the Governor's Office of Planning and Research and the California Department of Housing and Community Development, but first requires approval from the city council.

The fifth cycle housing element, which spans from 2015 to 2023, revealed that Riverbank received six development applications specifically for housing, with five approved. A pending application for 40 units could potentially be included in the upcoming sixth cycle housing element, which aims for a much larger goal of 3,591 units.

In total, Riverbank issued 145 building permits during this cycle, with 140 for single-family homes and five for accessory dwelling units. However, the city only managed to build 509 units against a target of 1,280, indicating a significant shortfall. The breakdown by income levels showed that while progress was made, only 10% of the very low-income goal and 18% of the low-income goal were met, with a more substantial 80% achievement in the moderate-income category.

As the city prepares for the sixth cycle, officials emphasized the need for adequate planning to accommodate the ambitious housing goals. The commission's recommendation to the city council is a crucial step in ensuring that Riverbank can effectively address its housing challenges moving forward.