Albany

In Compliance
Out of Compliance
Unincorporated Area
Unincorporated Area
Unincorporated Area

Overview

Population
20027
Density
11188
Avg. Household Income
$
124469
Experiencing Rent Burden
46
Providing adequate housing options is a key function of local governments. To help residents ensure their local government is meeting this need, we’ve compiled important information about this jurisdiction’s housing efforts below.
Housing Element is In Compliance
This city is currently working on implementing its housing element.
Housing Element is Out of Compliance
This city is currently working on implementing its housing element.
Good Progress
This city is currently on track to meet their RHNA housing targets.
Making Slow Progress
This city is falling behind. It is not on track to meet its housing targets.
Housing Targets
Every 8 years California assesses housing need and assigns each city with a target they must hit. If 
Albany
 repeats its efforts from the previous cycle 
it will only meet 34% of the identified need.
Current RHNA Target
2022
 
-
 
2030
On Target
Behind
Hit Target
Missed
19
 / 
1114
 units
Very Low Income
Low Income
Median Income
Above Median Income
State Statutes
Organizers fighting for fair housing can use many state laws to ensure that jurisdictions meet their housing targets.
Builder’s Remedy
When a city’s Housing Element is out of compliance, the Builder’s Remedy allows developers to bypass the zoning code and city general plan for qualifying affordable housing projects. If a Builders Remedy project application was submitted prior to 1/1/2025, there are virtually no limits on the size and density of a project proposed. Subsequent to 1/1/2025, in exchange for more certainty in the entitlement process, AB 1893 limits the density for Builders Remedy projects.
Does not apply
Does not apply
Does not apply
SB 423
When cities lack a compliant housing element or are behind on RHNA, this statute streamlines approval of projects that meet a threshold of affordable units.
50% Affordable
50% Affordable
Conditions in 
Alameda County
HE Compliance
How does
 
Albany
 
compare to its neighboring cities?
This city is currently doing a worse job than its neighbors at meeting housing needs.
Progress
-2
-2
Income
-9
-9
Density
47
47
Albany
's Plan
Add Policy
Key parts of
Albany
’s housing element are currently being worked on. Get involved to hold them accountable for meeting their deadlines.
Impactful Housing Element Policies:
No prioritized policies
There are no prioritized housing element policies for this jurisdiction which are currently being tracked. If you'd like to submit a policy to be tracked, please fill out the policy submission form.
Other Tracked Housing Element Policies:
No other policies
There are no other housing element policies for this jurisdiction which are currently being tracked. If you'd like to submit a policy to be tracked, please fill out the policy submission form.
Join the Fun!
Join
Our volunteers, watchdogs, push cities to enact good housing policy and keep tabs on the city’s policy progress. Sign up to help push
Albany
 reach its housing targets.
Alameda County
's Volunteers
22
Current Watchdogs
  
Level III
22/40 Volunteers
Upcoming Opportunities
Add Event
These upcoming events and tasks are great opportunities to make a difference in your community.
Event Name
Date
Type
Stop by Drinks & Agendas
Each Friday at 12:00PST our team gets together via Zoom to monitor local agendas so we can direct watchdogs to key meetings where decisions are being made about housing.
Become a Volunteer
Watchdog Reports
Add Report
Our watchdogs are on the ground observing and taking part in the fight for fair housing. Read their reports below.
Albany
's Reports
Anonymous
Leora Tanjuatco Ross
  
07
/
25

From Albany's Community Development Director on 7/11/25:

​

The rezoning to accommodate our RHNA was chiefly done in the San Pablo Avenue Specific Plan, which included general plan amendments, rezoning, objective design standards, etc. This was approved on July 18, 2022. (For your information, we completed the rezoning before HCD certified our Housing Element.) The staff report is attached. And the link to the Council meeting is https://albanyca.primegov.com/Portal/Meeting?meetingTemplateId=9172.

 

We also are currently working on, and expect to have completed by the end of 2025, revisions to our zoning code related to reforming single-family zoning. As a result of changes in state law, our local changes are relatively simple and straightforward. Our Planning and Zoning Commission are expected to be discussing this at their upcoming July 23 meeting.

​

Read More
   
/
 Loss
/
 Pro Housing
   
/
 Win
/
 Pro Housing
   
/
Deferred
/
 Pro Housing
Anonymous
Anonymous
  
02
/
25

test test

Read More
   
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 Loss
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 Pro Housing
   
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 Win
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 Pro Housing
   
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Deferred
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 Pro Housing
Anonymous
Derek Sagehorn
  
02
/
21

Albany Planning and Zoning Commission

​

Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting | City Calendar | City of Albany, CA

​

Thinking about facilitating University Village expansion to meet low income targets. Unclear if dorms could count as low income units. 

​

Downzoning on Albany Hill back in 90s called Measure K. City considered reversing that but worried about CEQA process costs. CEQA analysis to prepare a ballot measure that would undo a rezoning. This didn't make sense. 

​

San Pablo Specific Plan will be complete this year. Potential to make up large part of sites. By-right approvals. Objective design standards. 

​

One commissioner talked about bringing back a redevelopment agency to purchase and consolidate R-3 lots.

​

Solano has potential for upzoning adding two stories. Planning Commissioner MacLeod. 

​

Question about ADU counting. Staff had good comment on analysis needed to support ADU counting. 

​

Planning Commissioner (Chair) Watty: should we raise our density/heights to match Berkeley and El Cerrito. Should we go to fourplexes? Skepticism of upzoning Solano broadly. Contextual Solano upzoning maybe. 

​

Planning Commissioner Momin: worried about low income number requirements. Really prefers IZ. Fourplexes is too much but maybe R-2 zones with density bonus.

Read More
Albany Planning Commission - Feb 24, 2021
   
02
/
21
 Loss
1
/
1
 Pro Housing
Albany Planning Commission - Feb 24, 2021
   
02
/
21
 Win
1
/
1
 Pro Housing
Planning Commission
   
02
/
21
Deferred
1
/
1
 Pro Housing
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