2021-2029 Housing Element
State law requires the preparation of a Housing Element as part of a jurisdiction's General Plan (Government Code §65302(c)). The Element is required to consist of an identification and analysis of existing and projected housing needs, and a statement of goals, policies, quantified objectives and scheduled programs for the preservation, improvement and development of housing. It is also required to identify adequate sites for housing and to make adequate provision for the existing and projected needs of all economic segments of the community (§65583). A new requirement in this cycle, is the inclusion of an analysis of how existing and future policies, plans, programs, rules, practices and related activities, affirmatively further fair housing (AFFH) in the City. AB 686, passed by the CA Legislature in 2018, and effective for all housing elements due for revision on or after January 1, 2021, expands upon the fair housing requirements and protections outlined in the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) of 1968. The passage of AB 686 protects the requirement to affirmatively further fair housing within California state law, regardless of future federal actions, and preserves the strong policy in the U.S. Department of Housing and Community Developments (HUD) Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing Rule, as published in the Federal Register in 2015.
The Draft 2021-2029 Housing Element was reviewed by the Planning Commission on Monday, May 24, 2021 and by the City Council on Tuesday, June 8, 2021.
Following both these reviews, the Draft 2021-2029 Housing Element was transmitted to HCD for a 60-day review period at the end of July 2021, which included the AFFH analysis. The City received comments from HCD at the end of September 2021 and staff addressed the comments and folded them into the Housing Element that was adopted as part of the Comprehensive Rolling Hills Estates 2040 General Plan, on April 26, 2022.
The City submitted the adopted 2021-2029 Housing Element to HCD on April 27, 2022. The City received comments from HCD on June 24, 2022, noting that while the Element addressed many statutory requirements, additional revisions would be necessary to comply with State Housing Element Law. Staff then spent the next several months working with HCD staff to address the deficiencies outlined in the comment letter, and formally submitted the revised Housing Element to HCD on September 8, 2022.
As recommended by HCD staff, City staff engaged in a working meeting with HCD staff, whereby a detailed review and real-time revisions were conducted. City staff submitted the product of that working meeting to HCD on October 26, 2022; HCD communicated to City staff that because the revisions were so minor in nature, that a formal submittal was not required and they would be able to review quickly and respond to the City accordingly. However, as of early December, there had been no response from HCD, which led City staff to submit the same document that was submitted on October 26, 2022 as a “formal submittal” on December 8, 2022 to ensure that City staff would receive response by HCD staff within the statutory 60-day review timeline.
The City Council, at its meeting of January 24, 2023 readopted the revised 2021-2029 Housing Element. The redlined, revised document is located below for public review.
On February 7, 2023, HCD provided a response letter indicating that the changes to the revised, readopted 2021-2029 Housing Element were insufficient to be certified. Staff addressed the comments in the letter and resubmitted a revised 2021-2029 Housing Element to HCD on March 21, 2023. The revised, redlined document is located below for public review.
On April 11, 2023, HCD noted a minor correction necessary to address the requirements of Assembly Bill (AB) 2339. The proposed corrective changes are found on page 47 of the document and were resubmitted to HCD on April 11, 2023. The revised, redlined document is located below for public review.
On April 25, 2023, the City Council re-adopted the revised 2021-2029 Housing Element.
On May 24, 2023, HCD certified Rolling Hills Estates' 2021-2029 Housing Element.
DRAFT 2021-2029 HOUSING ELEMENT (Submitted to HCD at the end of July 2021)
HCD COMMENT LETTER - SEPTEMBER 24, 2021
ADOPTED 2021-2029 HOUSING ELEMENT (Adopted on April 26, 2022 and Submitted to HCD on April 27, 2022)
HCD COMMENT LETTER - JUNE 24, 2022
REDLINED, REVISED 2021-2029 HOUSING ELEMENT (Readopted by the City Council at its meeting of January 24, 2022)
HCD COMMENT LETTER - FEBRUARY 7, 2023
REDLINED, REVISED 2021-2029 HOUSING ELEMENT (Submitted to HCD on March 21, 2023)
REDLINED, REVISED 2021-2029 HOUSING ELEMENT (Submitted to HCD on April 11, 2023. Readopted by the City Council on April 25, 2023)
HCD CERTIFICATION LETTER - MAY 24, 2023
