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Home My WebLink AboutD-2 Staff Report - Housing Element and Subcommittee SelectionSCHEDULED ITEM D-2 TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL VIA: SERGIO GONZALEZ, CITY MANAGER FROM: MATT MARQUEZ, ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR DATE: FEBRUARY 1, 2021 SUBJECT: CITY’S HOUSING ELEMENT 6TH CYCLE 2021-2029 UPDATE AND DIRECTION OF SUBCOMMITTEE SELECTION BACKGROUND: Since 1969, California has required that all local governments (cities and counties) adequately plan to meet the housing needs of everyone in the community. California’s local governments meet this requirement by adopting housing plans as part of their “general plan” (also required by the state). General plans serve as the local government’s "blueprint" for how the city and/or county will grow and develop and include seven elements: land use, transportation, conservation, noise, open space, safety, and housing. The law mandating that housing be included as an element of each jurisdiction’s general plan is known as “housing-element law.” California’s housing-element law acknowledges that, in order for the private market to adequately address the housing needs and demand of Californians, local governments must adopt plans and regulatory systems that provide opportunities for (and do not unduly constrain), housing development. As a result, housing policy in California rests largely upon the effective implementation of local general plans and, in particular, local housing elements. In summary, the Housing-Element process consists of the following: •Draft an update to the City’s previous housing element. •Submit draft to the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) for review/approval. •Revise and adopt (or adopt without changes). •Submit adopted housing element to HCD. APPROVED CITY COUNCIL 2/1/2021 Housing Element Update – 6th Cycle – 2021-2029 – Subcommittee Selection February 1, 2021 Page 2 of 3 On September 21, 2020, the City Council authorized the circulation of Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Housing Element Update – 6th Cycle. On November 16, 2020, the City Council approved the Professional Service Agreement with MIG to conduct the Housing Element Update – 6th Cycle. Among other things, MIG’s work will include a community outreach program, as well as work with a Housing Element Subcommittee. RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the City Council take the following actions: 1) Receive a presentation from staff on the Housing Element Update – 6th Cycle; and 2) Select one council member to be on Housing Element Subcommittee Meeting. ANALYSIS: The current housing crisis in the State of California has put more mandates on cities to approve housing at a faster rate. As a result, a total of thirty-two (32) housing bills have been enacted to help create more housing in the State of California. The Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) is a way that Cities plan for future housing needs. RHNA is mandated by State Housing Law as part of the periodic process of updating local housing elements of the General Plan. The RHNA quantifies the need for housing within each jurisdiction during specified planning periods. SCAG developed and adopted the 6th cycle RHNA allocation plan which will cover the planning period October 2021 through October 2029. Communities use the RHNA in land use planning, prioritizing local resource allocation, and in deciding how to address identified existing and future housing needs resulting from population, employment and household growth. The RHNA does not necessarily encourage or promote growth, but rather allows communities to anticipate growth, so that collectively the region and sub region can grow in ways that enhance quality of life, improve access to jobs, promotes transportation mobility, and addresses social equity and fair share housing needs. Based on correspondence with SCAG, staff estimates Azusa’s RHNA 6th Cycle Allocation to be 2,644 housing units, which is a substantial increase from the RHNA 5th Cycle Allocation of 779 housing units. The table below provides a breakdown of the various housing types and number allocation for each: RHNA 5th Cycle Allocation – October 2013 to October 2021 Number of Very Low Income Number of Low Income Number of Moderate Income Number of Above Moderate Income Total 198 118 127 336 779 Estimate RHNA 6th Cycle Allocation – October 2021 to October 2029 Number of Very Low Income Number of Low Income Number of Moderate Income Number of Above Moderate Income Total 757 366 381 1,139 2,644 Community outreach for the update will begin in February and below is a summary of the Public Engagement Plan. Additionally, the “Engagement Methods” section below includes an item related to Housing Element Update – 6th Cycle – 2021-2029 – Subcommittee Selection February 1, 2021 Page 3 of 3 the Housing Element Subcommittee. It is slated to consist of seven members, including one member of the City Council. Staff is asking the Council to select one member to be part of the Subcommittee. The Subcommittee would meet twice and provide direction and feedback on the project. Public Engagement Objectives 1. Educate - Educate and inform community about the Housing Element, RHNA, and Housing Density 2. Engage - Provide opportunities for participation from various stakeholders, and 3. Inform - Demonstrate transparency through consistent interaction with community. Engagement Methods 1. City Webpage and Social Media Campaign 2. Housing Element Subcommittee Meeting (2 Meetings) - 7 Members: 1. City Council 2. Planning Commission 3. Senior Advisory Group 4. Azusa Unified School District 5. Azusa Pacific University 6. Business Community (Azusa Chamber of Commerce) 7. Resident at Large 3. Online Community Workshop (1 Workshop) 4. Online Community Survey (1 Survey) 5. Planning Commission and City Council Joint Study Session Meetings (2 Meetings) 6. Public Hearing Meeting (2 Meetings) FISCAL IMPACT: This action will have no fiscal impact. The project was granted the Local Early Action Planning (LEAP) Grant to the City on October 6, 2020 by the California Department of Housing and Community Development in the amount of $150,000.00. Prepared by: Reviewed by: Manuel Muñoz Matt Marquez Planning Manager Economic and Community Development Director Fiscal Reviewed by: Reviewed and Approved by: Talika M. Johnson Sergio Gonzalez Director of Administrative Services City Manager Attachment: 1) City of Azusa 6th Cycle 2021-2029 Housing Element Draft Task Timeline City of Azusa | 2021-2029 Housing Element Update 1 City of Azusa 6th Cycle 2021-2029 Housing Element Draft Task Timeline MILESTONE TARGET COMPLETION DATE 1.1 Project Kick Off Meeting and Data Needs Request January 7, 2021 1.2 Project Schedule January 21, 2021 1.3 Ongoing Project Management Ongoing 3.1A Public Engagement Plan January 2021 3.1B: Project Icon January 2021 3.1C Community Workshop End of Feb 3.1D Survey Feb 3.1E(1) Subcommittee Meeting #1 Early March 3.1F Joint Study Session (PC/CC) #1 March 24, 2021 5.1 Administrative Draft 2021-2029 Housing Element May 5.2 Public Review Draft Housing Element June 3.1E(2) Subcommittee Meeting #2 Early-Mid June 3.1F(2) Joint Study Session (PC/CC) #2 June 21, 2021 5.4 60-day HCD Review July - August 2021 4.1 Environmental Analysis: Draft IS/(M)ND July 2021 30-day public review August 2021 5.3 Final Draft Housing Element August 2021 3.2A Planning Commission Public Hearing September 15, 2021 3.2B City Council Public Hearing October 4, 2021 6.1 Final Housing Element October 2021 Final Certified Housing Element HCD has 90 days to review Adopted Housing Element Attachment 1