Housing Element Process

The housing element process includes the following steps:

1. Update previous housing element.
   • Public Participation Requirements: Prior to submittal of the first draft within a planning period to HCD, the local government must make the draft available for public comment for 30 days and if any comments were received, take at least 10 business days to consider and incorporate public comments.
2. Submit draft to HCD for review/approval.
3. Revise and adopt (or adopt without changes).
   • Transparency Requirements: For any subsequent draft revision, the local government must post the draft revision on its website and email a link to all individuals and organizations that have previously requested notices relating to the local government’s housing element at least seven days before submitting the draft revision to HCD.
4. Submit revised draft/adopted housing element to HCD.

Update Previous Housing Element

The rest of the Building Blocks pages will assist you in updating your previous housing element.

Submit Draft to HCD for Review/Approval

Once a jurisdiction has updated its housing element, it submits the draft to HCD. HCD has 90 days to review the first draft submittal within a planning period and 60 days to review the draft and report its findings back to the jurisdiction.

Revise and Adopt (or Adopt without Changes)

Once the jurisdiction receives the findings from HCD, it can then revise the housing element to comply with the statute and adopt it OR adopt the draft without revising it. If it adopts the draft without making any revisions, it must specify in the resolution the findings that explain why the housing element complies with the statute.

Submit Adopted Housing Element to HCD

After the adoption, the jurisdiction must promptly submit its adopted housing element to HCD for review. HCD has 60 days to review the adopted housing element and report its findings back to the jurisdiction.

In the preparation of its findings, HCD may consult with any public agency, group, or person and must consider any third-party comments regarding the draft or adopted element or amendment under review.