
Housing Element Update
The Housing Element of the City’s General Plan identifies Santa Barbara’s housing needs and establishes goals, policies, and actions to further the City’s commitment to the production of affordable housing and sound community planning. The Housing Element is updated every eight years and is currently being updated to address the 2023 to 2031 planning period.
2023 - 2031 Housing Element Drafts
Public Review Draft
The Public Review Draft of the 2023 – 2031 Housing Element was released on July 5, 2022 for a 30-day public comment period. Per state law, the City considered and incorporated public comments for a minimum of 10 business days. Public comment emails and the City’s responses are posted under the Documents heading as follows:
- Comments on the Public Review Draft
- Global Responses to Comments
- Table 1: Responses to Comments Received in the Online Workshop April 15 – July 18, 2022
- Table 2: Responses to Comments Received in Joint Workshop June 22, 2022
- Table 3: Responses to Comments on the Public Review Draft Housing Element
Housing and Community Development Draft
The Public Review Draft was revised and sent to the State Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) on August 19, 2022 for an up to 90-day review period. The revised draft is posted below in two formats:
- August 19, 2022 HCD Draft
- August 19, 2022 HCD Draft showing changes from the Public Review Draft in underline and strike through.
On November 16, 2022, HCD submitted a letter to the City with their comments on the draft Housing Element, posted below. The City is currently responding to HCD's comments and will post a revised Housing Element when available. Public comments can be submitted to HEU@SantaBarbaraCA.gov.
Suitable Sites Inventory
The Housing Element includes an inventory of land suitable and available for residential development to meet the City's regional housing needs by income level. Click on the Suitable Sites Inventory button below to view a map of the City's 2023 - 2031 Suitable Sites Inventory.
Environmental Review
Environmental review for the Housing Element is underway with a Housing Element Update Program EIR. Click here for more information.
Annual Progress Reports
Annual reports on the progress of the 2015 – 2022 Housing Element are provided to City Council and HCD. To view the most recent Housing Element Annual Progress Report, click here.