A 2017 Study Issue, the Sunnyvale Housing Strategy identified thirteen new strategies to improve upon or create new programs and policies for addressing the affordable housing needs of the community. The four key components of the Housing Strategy included mobile home parks, age-friendly housing, and the supply and demand of housing. The process included extensive outreach and was adopted by the City Council on October 13, 2020. Of the thirteen approved strategies, the City Council identified five to begin in FY2020/21, referred to throughout the document as Tier 1.

Read the 2020 Housing Strategy

Tier 1 Strategy Implementation Progress

Read about the Mobile Home Parks Memorandum of Understanding

Promote Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)

• Work will be done throughout 2021 to improve ease of development.
• Read current information on ADUs

Up-Zone Land to Facilitate Increased Residential Development in Identified Specific Plan Areas

• The Community Development Department is underway on updating various specific plans.
• Review Specific Plan updates

Adopt a Right-to-Lease Ordinance

• City Council adopted the Tenant Protections and Right-to-Lease Ordinance in May 2023.
• Read the Tenant Protections and Right-to-Lease Ordinance.

• Housing Strategy Prioritizing Housing Needs Community Meeting Presentation - Nov. 21, 2019
• Housing Strategy Open House Prioritizing Housing Needs Boards with Community Input and Comments - Nov. 21, 2019
• Housing Strategy Farmer's Market Pop-up Boards with Community Input and Comments - Nov. 16, 2019
• Housing Strategy Open House Boards with Community Input and Comments - Oct. 15, 2019
• Housing Strategy Summary of Community Input on Policy Workshops - June 3 and 6, 2019
• Housing Strategy Community Policy Options Meeting Presentation - June 6, 2019
• Housing Strategy Community Outreach Meeting Presentation - Feb. 12, 2019
• 2017 Council Study Issue - CDD 17-09 - Housing Strategy
• Report to Council 17-1069, Dec. 12, 2017 - Review Draft Work Plan for 2017 Housing Strategy (Study Issue)
• General Plan Chapter 5 Housing
• 2015-2023 Housing Element

The City Council selected the Housing Strategy as a Study Issue on Feb. 17, 2017. The Housing Strategy Study Issue was proposed to holistically examine the overall local housing context given growing concern about housing affordability and availability in Sunnyvale and our region. The project will analyze strategies that the City can most effectively implement and assist the largest number of residents or those seeking housing or both. The general goal of the Housing Strategy, as outlined in the Dec. 12, 2017 Report to Council, is to identify potential improvements to existing programs and approaches to increase affordable housing stock or improve housing affordability in Sunnyvale or both. The project is scheduled to be completed in 2020.

In 2018, the City selected BAE Urban Economics of Berkeley as the lead consultant to develop the Sunnyvale Housing Strategy, with PlaceWorks assisting with community outreach. The City approved a public engagement plan in fall 2018 and community outreach events are scheduled to begin February 2019. Initial workshops will focus on mobile home park program opportunities and updating the inclusionary housing ordinance for rental developments.