By Samantha Martinez
Hayward is stepping up its efforts to preserve and produce affordable housing with an emphasis on sustainability and equity. Several strategic plans from the city outline how growth should occur—and for whom. Here are some key updates and what they mean for neighborhoods and residents.
Driving Affordability: Key Actions in the Strategic Roadmap
The city’s “Preserve, Protect, and Produce Housing for All” roadmap lays out a robust package of programs targeting low-income households, people experiencing homelessness, and long-term residents at risk of displacement. Highlights include:
- Support for the Navigation Center Annex and the new St. Regis Behavioral Health Campus, both aimed at housing people facing homelessness and improving mental health services.
- Expanding protections for renters through programs like the Tenant Relocation Emergency Fund and foreclosure prevention initiatives.
- Planning with transit in mind—developments near BART stations and in walkable corridors receive priority.
New Projects & Housing Capacity by Income Level
To meet its Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA), Hayward has identified both land and funding mechanisms to build or preserve nearly 4,700 units across income categories over the plan period. Some details:
- Approximately 2,000 units are in the pipeline through approved or proposed projects. Many include affordability components.
- The plan projects substantial strength from accessory dwelling units (ADUs), estimating about 320 will be permitted between 2023 and 2031, making ADUs an important tool for filling middle-income housing gaps.
- The city is also prioritizing preservation—295 housing units at risk of converting to market-rate use are being monitored. Efforts include early outreach to current owners.
All-Electric & Supportive Housing: Depot Community Apartments
One standout project is Depot Community Apartments—a permanent supportive housing development that is fully electric and designed for residents exiting homelessness or earning between 30–60% of Area Median Income. It includes 125 units, onsite services like case management, and amenities like a dog park and community gardens.
Upcoming Visions: Hayward Station TOD and Land Use Reform
The city, along with BART, is engaging the public on a Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) proposal around Hayward Station. Plans under consideration include mixed-income housing, ground-floor retail, and improved public access points.
Through land-use reforms—especially in areas like the Downtown Specific Plan, Mission Boulevard, and the former Route 238 Corridor—Hayward aims to channel development toward high-density, walkable zones. These policies reduce sprawl, make better use of underutilized land, and help provide housing that fits diverse incomes.
What Residents Should Watch For
- Public meetings detailing design, funding, and community feedback for TOD around transit hubs like Hayward Station.
- Updates on applications and notices if units in projects at risk of market-rate conversion are preserved.
- Opportunities for renters and homeowners to engage with programs like relocation assistance or renter protections.
- How the city plans to fund and implement all-electric housing across affordable projects.
Even as Hayward addresses its housing challenges, the emphasis is clear: affordability, equity, sustainability, and transit-linked growth. These are the threads shaping the city’s evolving landscape—and the opportunities and challenges for its residents.