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

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Conserve and improve the condition of the existing affordable housing stock, which may include addressing ways to mitigate the loss of dwelling units demolished by public or private action (Government Code Section 65583.(c)(4)).

Required Components of Programs

Effective programs reflect the results of the local housing need analyses, identification of available resources (including land and financing), and the mitigation of identified governmental and nongovernmental constraints. Programs consist of specific action steps the locality will take to implement its policies and achieve goals and objectives. Programs must include a specific timeframe for implementation, identify the agencies or officials responsible for implementation, and describe the jurisdiction’s specific role in implementation.

Program Requirements

Affordable housing is a valuable resource and the housing element must include programs to conserve and improve the existing housing stock. Improvement includes physical activities that upgrade the housing stock, such as rehabilitation. Conservation includes both maintenance activity (such as code enforcement in deteriorating buildings), improvements to the housing stock (such as weatherization programs that reduce housing costs), and other actions, policies, and programs that conserve the affordability of housing (such as a mobilehome park preservation ordinance). Policies and programs should be tailored to the results of the analyses and specific local situations.

policy
Policy and Program Options
type_specimen
Sample Programs

Resources

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