Building Blocks Guide

HCD created this guide to assist jurisdictions in creating comprehensive housing elements.

  1. How to Submit the Housing Element to HCD
    Policy and Program Options
    Sample Programs
    Requisite Analysis - Overcrowding
    Requisite Analysis - Overpaying
    Policy and Program Options
    Sample Program
    Policy and Program Options
    Sample Programs
    Sample Tables
    Sample Tables
    Housing Element Process
    Determining Housing Needs
    Housing Elements and Broader Community Objectives
    Requisite Analysis
    Helpful Hints
    Sample Tables
    Defining Assisted Housing Developments or At-Risk Units
    Requisite Analysis
    Sample Tables
    Requisite Analysis - Employment Trends
    Realistic Development Capacity
    Analysis of Non-vacant and Underutilized Sites
    Zoning to Accommodate the Development of Housing Affordable to Lower-Income Households
    Environmental Constraints and Adequate Infrastructure
    Inventory of Suitable Land Requisite Analysis
    Land Use Controls Requisite Analysis
    Zoning for a Variety of Housing Types Requisite Analysis
    Helpful Hints
    Policy and Program Options
    Adequate Sites Alternative Requisite Analysis
    Requisite Analysis - Household Trends
    Requisite Analysis - Population Trends
  2. Program Requirements
      Program Requirements
      Program Requirements
  3. Other Requirements
      Policy and Program Options
Getting Started
  1. Before You Start
    Public Participation
    Review and Revise
Housing Needs
  1. People Experiencing Homelessness
    Large Families and Female-Headed Households
    Farmworkers
    Extremely Low-Income Housing Needs
    People with Disabilities, Including Developmental Disabilities
    Population, Employment, and Household Characteristics
    Assisted Housing Developments at Risk of Conversion
    Overpayment and Overcrowding
    Projected Housing Needs - Regional Housing Needs Allocation
    Housing Stock Characteristics
    Seniors
Site Inventory
  1. Analysis of Sites and Zoning
    Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU) and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units (JADUs)
    Inventory of Suitable Land
    Adequate Sites Alternative
    Zoning for a Variety of Housing Types
Constraints
  1. Processing and Permitting Procedures
    Sample Tables
    Non-Governmental Constraints
    Land-Use Controls
    Fees and Exactions
    Sample Tables
    Constraints for People with Disabilities
    Codes and Enforcement of Onsite/Offsite Improvement Standards
Requirements
  1. Address and Remove (or Mitigate) Constraints
    Identify Adequate Sites
    Opportunities for Energy Conservation
    Provide Equal Housing Opportunities
    Analysis of Consistency with General Plan and Coastal Zone Requirements
    Assist in the Development of Housing
    Improve and Conserve the Existing Housing Stock
    Preserve Units at Risk of Conversion to Market Rates
    Program Overview and Quantified Objectives
    Priority for Water and Sewer

Need Help?

For further assistance navigating this resource email HCD.

  • Describe current number of households by tenure (rental or ownership).
  • Describe and analyze changes in proportion of renter and owner households.
  • Discuss household-growth trends in relation to types of housing needed.
  • Discuss numerical, annual household growth.
  • Describe how the housing needs of owners and renters are being met.
  • Discuss the number and change of renters in single-family units versus multifamily units.

Data Sources

Information regarding household data can be found using the US Census (2010 Census, SF 2: QT-H2, 2000 Census, SF 3: H7), most-recent U.S. Census American Community Survey, and the California Department of Finance (Report E-5). 

Sample Table

Household Growth Trends (2000 - Current) Table

Household Growth Trends (2000 - Current)
YearHouseholdsNumerical ChangeAnnual Percent Change
2000   
2010   
Current   

Households by Tenure Table

Households by Tenure
 20002010Current*
 NumberPercentNumberPercentNumberPercent
Owner      
Renter      
TOTAL      
* if available      
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