Housing Element Update

City of Richmond Housing Element Update Adopted

The City of Richmond City Council adopted the Housing Element Update on May 19 and the Element was certified by the State Housing and Community Development Department on May 27, 2015.

The State of California recognizes the vital role local governments play in the availability, adequacy and affordability of housing. State law requires every jurisdiction in California to adopt a comprehensive, long-term General Plan to guide its physical development; the Housing Element is one of the seven mandated elements of the General Plan. Housing Element law mandates that local governments adequately plan to meet the existing and projected needs of all economic segments of the community. The law recognizes that in order for the private market to adequately address housing needs and demand, local governments must adopt land use plans and regulatory systems that provide opportunities for, and do not unduly constrain, housing development.

The housing element must include the following: 

  • Analysis of population and employment trends;
  • Analysis of the City’s fair share of the regional housing needs;
  • Analysis of household characteristics;
  • Inventory of suitable land for residential development;
  • Analysis of governmental  and non-governmental constraints on the improvement, maintenance and development of housing;
  • Analysis of special housing needs;
  • Analysis of opportunities for energy conservation; and
  • Analysis of publicly assisted housing developments that may convert to non-assisted housing developments (at-risk housing).
The purpose of these requirements is to develop an understanding of the existing and projected housing needs within the community and to set forth policies that promote preservation, improvement and development of diverse types and costs of housing throughout Richmond.

Resources

Project Contact


Lina Velasco, Planning Manager
(510) 620-6841
lina_velasco@ci.richmond.ca.us