The review and revise” requirement is an important feature of the housing-element update. A thorough review facilitates a comprehensive update and ensures the housing element can be effectively implemented in the next planning period. This Page has been amended to incorporate new requirements pursuant to AB 139 (Statutes of 2019).
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Government Code
Government Code (GC) Section 65588 requires: “Each local government shall review its housing element as frequently as appropriate to evaluate all of the following: (1) The appropriateness of the housing goals, objectives, and policies in contributing to the attainment of the state housing goal. (2) The effectiveness of the housing element in attainment of the community's housing goals and objectives. (3) The progress of the city, county, or city and county in implementation of the housing element.” (4) The effectiveness of goals, policies, and related actions to meet the community’s special housing needs. GC 65583(a)(7).”
Requisite Analysis
Analysis is required in three areas:
- Effectiveness of the element — A description of the actual results or outcomes of the prior housing-element’s goals (what happened), objectives, policies, and programs. The results should be quantified where possible (e.g., number of units rehabilitated) and may be qualitative where necessary (e.g., mitigation of governmental constraints).
- Progress in implementation — For each program, the analysis should compare significant differences between what was projected or planned in the earlier housing element and what was achieved. Analyze the differences to determine where the previous housing element met, exceeded, or fell short of what was anticipated.
- Appropriateness of goals, objectives, policies, and programs — A description of what has been learned based on the analysis of progress and effectiveness of the previous housing element. A description of how the goals, objectives, policies, and programs in the updated housing element are being changed or adjusted to incorporate what has been learned from the results of the previous element.
- Special needs population — A description of how past programs were effective in addressing the housing needs of the special populations. This analysis can be done as part of describing the effectiveness of the program pursuant to (2) if the jurisdiction has multiple programs to specifically address housing needs of special needs populations or if specific programs were not included, provide a summary of the cumulative results of the programs in addressing the housing need terms of units or services by special need group.
Useful Data Sources
- Annual general plan progress reports, as required by Government Code Section 65400. Many communities cross reference and use the annual progress report [GC 65400(b)(1)] as a useful source of information for review of the previous housing element.
- Department of Finance, Demographic Research Unit.
- Consolidated Plan Reports.
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View sample tables that can help in organizing critical information pertaining to housing-element requirements.