Right Column

Programs are the specific action steps each locality will take to implement policies and achieve stated goals and objectives. Programs must include time frames, an identification of agencies and officials responsible, a description of the local government’s specific role in implementation and whenever possible, specific measurable outcomes. Programs and policies should reflect the results of the local government’s evaluation of existing and projected housing needs.

Program Overview and Quantified Objectives

To make adequate provision for the housing needs of all income levels, a jurisdiction must, identify programs to: (1) identify adequate sites, with appropriate zoning and development standards; (2) assist in the development of adequate housing to meet the needs of extremely low-, very low-, low- and moderate-income households; (3) address, and remove governmental constraints, including housing for persons with disabilities; (4) Conserve and improve the condition of the existing affordable housing stock; (5) Preserve assisted housing developments at-risk of conversion to market-rate; and (6) promote equal housing opportunities for all persons. Quantified objectives should estimate, by income level, the number of units likely to be constructed, rehabilitated or conserved/preserved during the planning period. Learn more.

Adequate Sites

Where the element does not demonstrate appropriately zoned sites sufficient to accommodate the regional housing need by income level, a program must be included to identify sites that can be developed within the planning period. Program actions to identify sites to accommodate a jurisdictions regional housing need for lower-income households shall be zoned to permit owner-occupied and rental multifamily uses by-right and be zoned with minimum density and development standards that permit at least 16 units per site. In addition, zoning must be identified to facilitate and encourage the development of a variety of types of housing for all income levels, including multifamily rental housing, factory-built housing, mobilehomes, housing for agricultural employees, emergency shelters, and transitional housing. Learn more.

Assist in the Development

Having assessed, identified, and prioritized the housing needs of extremely low-, very low-, low-, and moderate-income households, including special needs, the element must include program actions to assist in developing adequate housing to meet those needs. Learn more.

Conserve and Improve the Existing Housing Stock

The existing affordable housing stock is a valuable resource and the element must include programs to conserve and improve the existing affordable housing stock. Improvement includes physical activities that improve the housing stock such as rehabilitation. Conservation includes maintenance activity such as code enforcement and other actions, policies or programs to conserve the affordability of housing such as a mobilehome park preservation ordinance. Learn more.

Preserve Units At-risk of Conversion to Market Rate Uses

Many units of privately-owned, federally, State and locally assisted multifamily rental housing are at-risk of converting to non low-income uses. These at-risk units are occupied by elderly persons and families with lower-income who cannot afford to pay market-rate rents and could be displaced if the project converts. If the housing element has identified units at-risk, programs must be included to assist in the preservation of this important housing stock. Learn more.

Address and Remove or Mitigate Constraints

For each policy, procedure or requirement identified as a governmental constraint, the element must include programs to address and remove or mitigate the constraint. Learn more.

Equal Housing Opportunities

A local equal housing opportunity program should provide a means for the resolution of local housing discrimination complaints and disseminate fair housing information and resources throughout the community. The element should also address any zoning or other land-use laws or practices that either expressly discriminate against a group protected by the fair housing laws or have the effect of discriminating against a protected group. Learn more.