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.

Getting Started

  • Before You Start
  • Public Participation
  • Review and Revise

‌Housing Needs

  • Existing
    • Assisted Housing Developments at Risk of Conversion
    • Extremely Low-Income Housing Needs
    • Housing Stock Characteristics
    • Overpayment and Overcrowding
    • Population, Employment, and Household Characteristics
  • Projected
    • Projected Housing Needs - Regional Housing Needs Allocation
  • Special
    • Farmworkers
    • Large Families and Female-Headed Households
    • People Experiencing Homelessness
    • People with Disabilities, Including Developmental Disabilities
    • Seniors

‌Site Inventory and Analysis

  • Adequate Sites Alternative
  • Analysis of Sites and Zoning
  • Inventory of Suitable Land
  • Accessory Dwelling Units
  • Zoning for a Variety of Housing Types

‌Constraints

  • Codes and Enforcement and Onsite Offsite Improvement Standards
  • Constraints for People with Disabilities
  • Fees and Exactions
  • Land-Use Controls
  • Non-Governmental Constraints
  • Processing and Permitting Procedures

Requirements

  • Program Requirement
    • Program Overview and Quantified Objectives
    • Address and Remove (or Mitigate) Constraints
    • Assist in the Development of Housing
    • Identify Adequate Sites
    • Improve and Conserve the Existing Housing Stock
    • Preserve Units at-Risk of Conversion to Market Rates
    • Provide Equal Housing Opportunities
  • Other Requirements
    • Analysis of Consistency with General Plan
    • Opportunities for Energy Conservation
    • Priority for Water and Sewer 

This page has been updated to reflect changes pursuant to AB 1397 (Statutes of 2017). While the following outlines the statutory requirements and factors that are included in the site inventory and analysis, each jurisdiction may have its own unique strategy for addressing its housing need. In addition, while samples and suggestions are included to illustrate how housing element requirements could be met, unless specified in the statute, HCD does not prescribe any one specific methodology in addressing those requirements.

Realistic Development Capacity
Realistic Development Capacity
Analysis of Non-vacant and Underutilized Sites
Analysis of Non-vacant and Underutilized Sites
Zoning to Accommodate the Development of Housing Affordable to Lower-Income Households
Zoning to Accommodate the Development of Housing Affordable to Lower-Income Households
Environmental Constraints and Adequate Infrastructure
Environmental Constraints and Adequate Infrastructure

Resources

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