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Housing Elements

State law recognizes the vital role local governments play in the supply and affordability of housing. Each governing body (City Council or Board of Supervisors) of a local government in California is required to adopt a comprehensive, long-term general plan for the physical development of the city, city and county, or county. The housing element is one of the seven mandated elements of the local general plan. Housing element law, enacted in 1969, mandates that local governments adequately plan to meet the existing and projected housing needs of all economic segments of the community. The law acknowledges that, in order for the private market to adequately address housing needs and demand, local governments must adopt land use plans and regulatory systems which provide opportunities for, and do not unduly constrain, housing development. As a result, housing policy in the State rests largely upon the effective implementation of local general plans and, in particular, local housing elements. Housing element law also requires the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) review local housing elements for compliance with State law and to report its written findings to the local government.

NEW: Building Blocks for Effective Housing Elements

New: Housing element law amended

On October 15, 2007, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed into law SB 2 by Senator Gilbert Cedillo, which amends GC Sections 65582, 65583, and 65589.5 of State Housing Element Law. This legislation requires local jurisdictions to strengthen provisions for addressing the housing needs of the homeless, including the identification a zone or zones where emergency shelters are allowed as a permitted use without a conditional use permit. This legislation will take effect January 1, 2008 and will apply to jurisdictions with housing elements due June 30, 2008 and after. To assist jurisdictions in meeting this new requirement, the State Department of Housing and Community Development will issue a technical assistance memo by December 31, 2007.

HOUSING ELEMENT UPDATE SCHEDULE

The housing element update schedules for local governments are listed below, pursuant to SB 491, (2003 California Statutes, Chapter 58). Contact the Division of Housing Policy Development Department at (916) 445-4728 for further information.

The Department of Housing and Community Development's review of a locality's draft or adopted housing element will be posted within a week from the date the letter was sent to the locality. Review letters will be posted alphabetically. Review letters from November 2004 forward can be retrieved at the link above. Copies of review letters prior to November 2004 can be obtained by calling (916) 324-8652.

HOUSING ELEMENT REVIEW STATUS FOR THE CURRENT PLANNING PERIOD

The following document is a Status List of the housing elements reviewed by HCD, with the date HCD submitted written findings to the locality. It is a brief summary of each locality's current housing element status. If the jurisdiction has an adopted housing element found by HCD to comply with State housing element law for the current planning period, its compliance status will be IN. If HCD has determined that an adopted housing element does not comply with State housing element law, the jurisdiction will be listed as OUT. If the jurisdiction has yet to submit an element for the current planning period, it will be listed as DUE. Jurisdictions that have submitted a draft element for the current planning period, but have not adopted an element for this planning period will be listed at OUT, regardless of whether HCD found the draft element IN or OUT of compliance with State law. Every effort is made to ensure that the information in this report is complete and up-to-date. Please contact us regarding concerns about the accuracy of any listing.

HOUSING ELEMENT CURRENTLY UNDER REVIEW

All California localities are required by Article 10.6 of the Government Code (Sections 65580-65590) to adopt housing elements as part of their general plans, and submit draft and adopted elements to the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) for review with compliance with State law. HCD is required to review housing elements and report its written findings within 60 days for a draft-housing element (Government Code Section 65585(b)) and within 90 days for an adopted element (Government Code Section 65585(h)). In addition, Government Code Section 65585(c) requires HCD to consider written comments from any group, individual or public agency regarding the housing element under review.

This site provides more detailed information about housing element law, information about developing an effective housing element, compliance data for all jurisdictions, and other relevant information or links. Please contact the Housing Policy Development Division (HPD) at HCD for more information or assistance (916) 445-4728.

HOUSING ELEMENT REVIEW LETTERS

This site provides more detailed information about housing element law, information about developing an effective housing element, compliance data for all jurisdictions, and other relevant information or links. Please contact the Housing Policy Development Division (HPD) at HCD for more information or assistance (916) 445-4728.

Updated: Housing Element Questions and Answers (Adobe PDF)

HOUSING ELEMENT TECHICAL ASSISTANCE:

Council of Governments Links

HOUSING ELEMENT WORKING GROUP

Housing Element Working Group: Final Report to the Assembly and Senate Housing Committee

Housing Element Working Group: Testimony at Senate and Assembly Joint Housing Committee Hearing

Division of Housing Policy Development
California Department of Housing and Community Development
1800 3rd Street
P.O. Box 952053
Sacramento CA 94252-2053
(916) 445-4728
FAX (916) 327-2643
e-mail: cahouse@hcd.ca.gov