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Housing Element Update

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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 

Revised Draft (April 10, 2023)

The Revised Draft Housing Element (April 10, 2023) was prepared based on HCD's November 2022 response letter to the City with revisions necessary to comply with State Housing Element Law.  Per State law, this Revised Draft is posted for public review for seven days prior to submittal to HCD on April 18.  Public comments are welcome throughout the 60-day HCD review period (up to approximately June 16) and can be submitted to HEU@SantaBarbaraCA.gov The Revised draft is posted below in two formats:

On June 16, 2023, HCD submitted a letter to the City with comments on the revised Draft Housing Element, posted below. 

Housing and Community Development Draft (August 19, 2022)

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: 

On November 16, 2022, HCD submitted a letter to the City with their comments on the draft Housing Element, posted below.  Public comments can be submitted to HEU@SantaBarbaraCA.gov

Public Review Draft (July 5, 2022)

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:

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.

Sections

Timeline

1
Project Initiation (March 2022)

City Council initiated the project at the March 29 hearing.

2
Public Review Draft Housing Element (July 2022)

The Draft Housing Element released for public review in July 2022. 

3
Planning Commission and City Council Review (July 2022)

The Draft Housing Element was presented to the Planning Commission and City Council.

4
Submit Draft Housing Element to HCD (August 2022)

Submittal of the draft Housing Element to the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) for a 90-day review.

5
HCD Responds to the Draft Housing Element Update (November 2022)

HCD comments and suggested changes on the Draft Housing Element.

6
Submit Revised Draft Housing Element to HCD (April 2023)

The Revised Draft is submitted to HCD for a 60-day review period

7
Revised Housing Element to Planning Commission (Date TBD)

Staff will present the revised Housing Element to the Planning Commission in 2023. 

8
Revised Housing Element to City Council (Date TBD)

Staff will present the Revised Housing Element to City Council for adoption. 

9
Adopted Housing Element to HCD (Date TBD)

After adoption, the Housing Element is submitted to HCD for certification. 

Meetings

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Frequently Asked Questions

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