The Housing Element is the only element of a jurisdiction’s General Plan that is reviewed and certified by the state. Regular updates to the Housing Element are required under state law and help to meet one of the most basic needs of Californians; but the process and its requirements can be daunting.
HCD’s “Building Blocks” page offers a robust toolkit of resources to assist jurisdictions in updating their housing elements to meet state law and craft effective responses to local housing needs.
It includes information about:
- Getting Started (Before You Start, Public Engagement, Revision)
- Housing Needs (Existing, Projected, Special)
- Site Inventory & Analysis
- Constraints
- Program Requirements
- Other Requirements
Please note that the information provided in this toolkit does not reflect statutory changes enacted as of January 1, 2018 as part of the 2017 Legislative Housing Package. For additional information on the specific bills, provisions and timing for implementation, please visit the state’s Legislative Housing Package web page.