Affordable Housing

The Town is in the process of undertaking a Comprehensive Advanced Planning Initiative, including a State-mandated update of the Moraga Housing Element, and related General Plan and zoning amendments. As part of the Housing Element, the Town is required to demonstrate to the State Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) that it has the capacity to add at least 1,118 new housing units by 2031. Of the 1,118 units, 673 housing units are deemed to be affordable.  The income categories of the 673 Housing Units are:

 *Area Median Income (AMI) is the midpoint of a region's income distribution. For Contra Costa County in 2022, the AMI is $99,950 for an individual and $142,800 for a four-person household.  

On December 7, 2022, the Town Council approved an Affordable Housing Ordinance that requires 10% affordability as well as Policy Incentives for new residential developments. The ordinance is a commonly used tool to ensure that some of the units in new developments are affordable to seniors, students and the workforce. Inclusionary housing requires and incentivizes developers to provide residential units at a price that is considered affordable to low or moderate-income households. The Policy Incentives would provide additional density, reduced parking and an additional concession to make production of affordable housing more viable in the Town. The ordinance will require new developments with six or more units to provide 10% affordable units.

Density Bonus

The Town's Density Bonus Ordinance provides incentives for the production of affordable housing by allowing an increase in the number of units allowed on a site, a reduction in parking requirements, and/or flexibility from development standards for housing projects meeting specified income thresholds. The Town’s Ordinance was last updated in 2023 to comply with state regulations. However, since that time there have been modifications to State Density Bonus law, including requirements to allow higher bonuses for 100% affordable projects and bonuses for housing serving certain populations with special needs, including lower-income students. The Town will be updating its local Ordinance to bring it back into compliance with State provisions. In the interim, where there are discrepancies between local regulations and current State density bonus law, State provisions will be applied.

Affordable Housing Ordinance Combined Packet (PDF)

In-Lieu Fee Calculation Memo (PDF)

Housing Opportunity Site Inventory (PDF)

Policy Incentives (PDF)

Inclusionary Flyer (PDF)

Development Incentives Policy for Affordable Housing (PDF)

Development Incentives Policy for Affordable Housing Resolution (PDF)