Regional Housing Need Allocation to be Released Fall 2012

Background:

As part of the region's planning efforts, the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) and the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) are working with the Bay Area Air Quality Management District, the Bay Conservation Development Commission, local governments and stakeholders on the Regional Housing Need Allocation (RHNA).

ABAG and MTC must identify areas within the region sufficient to house an eight-year projection of the regional housing need. Additionally, the RHNA must allocate housing units within the region consistent with the development pattern included in the Sustainable Communities Strategy (SCS). The agencies have set up an advisory committee (the SCS Housing Methodology Committee) made up of local elected officials, staff and various interest groups. It will advise staff about the appropriate methods for allocating the region's housing need to individual jurisdictions and potentially the appropriate relationship of the RHNA to the SCS.

The housing allocation process started in January 2011. ABAG is scheduled to release a draft methodology in November 2011 and a preferred methodology in January 2012. Public participation is encouraged throughout, especially at public meetings and during official public comment periods following the release of discussion documents and board decisions.

The consistency of the housing allocation with a development pattern that promotes reductions in greenhouse gases is likely to emphasize compact, mixed-use commercial and residential development with access to transit. Plans for housing must also include sufficient affordable units so that people don't have to commute from homes outside the Bay Area to jobs within the region. The goal is more livable communities, offering more housing and transportation choices, a higher quality of life and a vibrant economy.

More information on the development and release of the Regional Housing Need Allocation is shown below.

Purpose:

1. To calculate and allocate the amount of housing needed to house all of the Bay Area's future population.
2. State law (SB 375) requires ABAG and MTC to identify areas within the region sufficient to house an eight-year projection of the regional housing need.
3. The Bay Area's Regional Housing Need Allocation must allocate housing units within the region consistent with the development pattern in the Sustainable Communities Strategy.

Key Activities:

1. October 2011 - the State Department of Housing & Community Development (HCD) issues a determination of the Bay Area's overall housing need for all income levels.
2. November 2011 - ABAG releases draft Regional Housing Need Allocation (RHNA) methodology.
3. January 2012 - ABAG adopts RHNA methodology and releases draft allocation.
4. May 2012 - RHNA Appeals Process begins.
5. June 2012 - ABAG holds public hearing on appeals and responds to comments.
6. July-August 2012 - ABAG releases final RHNA allocation.
7. September 2012 - ABAG adopts final RHNA allocation.
8. September-October 2012 - HCD reviews final RHNA Plan.

Significance of the Task:

1. An appropriate Regional Housing Need Allocation is essential for effective land use and transportation planning.
2. Regional Housing Need Allocation is required by state law.

Key Participants:

1. Regional Agencies
2. Local Governments
3. Stakeholders
4. State Department of Housing & Community Development (HCD)

Opportunities for Public Involvement:

1. By July 2011, ABAG releases RHNA methodology concepts at ABAG's Executive Board.
2. By October 2011, the State Department of Housing & Community Development issues a determination of the Bay Area's overall housing need for all income levels.
3. By November 2011, ABAG releases Draft RHNA methodology. The public has 60 days to comment on the draft methodology. There will be a public hearing at the January 19, 2012 meeting of ABAG's Executive Board.
4. By January 2012, ABAG releases draft RHNA allocations. Local jurisdictions have 60 days to request a revision to the allocation.
5. RHNA Appeals Process begins May 1, 2012. By June 2012, ABAG holds public hearing on RHNA appeals and responds to comments.

Estimated Timeframe:

1. January 2011-October 2012

Board Action:

1. Release draft RHNA methodology (November 2011)
2. Adopt RHNA methodology (January 2012)
3. Release Draft RHNA allocation (January 2012)
4. Adopt Final RHNA allocation (September 2012)

Staff Contacts:

• ABAG: Hing Wong, 510.464.7966, HingW@abag.ca.gov
• MTC: Doug Johnson, 510.817-5846, DougJ@mtc.ca.gov