The process described below is intended to assist in developing an updated Housing Element that not only meets the State mandate, but also provides an effective program for documenting, analyzing, and responding to local housing needs.

This is an overview of the recommended sequence of steps for a Housing Element review and revision. These are generalized steps that are typical in a Housing Element process. They must be reviewed and tailored to local needs and circumstances if they are to provide an effective work program.

• Prepare a Work Program, Adopt a Budget, and Organize Staffing. Prepare and approve a Work Program. The Work Program should outline the project’s overall process and schedule, define specific work tasks, identify staffing needs and resources, and determine budget needs.
• Review Housing and Community Development’s Questions & Answers. This is one of the primary documents utilized by HCD staff when reviewing a housing element, and is a very useful starting point for thinking about the housing element process.
• Initiate Community Information Activities. Initiate a public communication effort to make the community aware of the update; provide an overview of its goals, activities and schedule; and highlight opportunities for citizen input and review.

• Analyze Housing Needs, Resources, and Constraints. Collect and analyze background information to assess housing needs, inventory available land, and identify potential constraints on housing.
• Conduct Initial Community Involvement Activities. Conduct community outreach and involvement activities to make people aware of the process, review the previous Housing Element, discuss housing needs data, define preliminary housing goals, and consider alternative strategies. Ensure regular check-ins with elected and appointed officials to confirm findings, goals, and strategic directions.
• Collaborate with Other Departments, Agencies, and Jurisdictions. Consider collaborative approaches with other departments, agencies, or jurisdictions. For example, consider involving representatives from public works, redevelopment or police services, and consider teaming with an adjacent jurisdiction or group of jurisdictions to undertake joint data collection and develop a coordinated housing strategy.

• Develop and Refine Potential Policies, Programs, and Objectives. Collect additional information and conduct additional analyses as necessary to define and evaluate alternative housing strategies, policies, programs, and objectives.
• Conduct Ongoing Community Involvement Activities. Conduct community involvement activities to review preliminary policies, programs, and objectives.
• Conduct Ongoing Collaboration Activities. Continue to collaborate with other departments, agencies and/or jurisdictions to ensure buy-in and coordination on the proposed policies and programs.

• Prepare Draft Housing Element and Conduct California Environmental Quality Act Review. Prepare a Draft Housing Element for review by the public and HCD, allowing 60 days for HCD’s review. Based on the Draft Element, an “Initial Study” should be conducted in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) to evaluate the potential environmental impacts, and appropriate follow-up actions taken as necessary. If an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) is required, the process and schedule implications must be considered.
• Respond to Comments and Conduct Public Hearings. Comments from the public and HCD should be considered and responded to, with modifications to the Draft Housing Element as necessary. Public comments can be made in writing or presented verbally at public hearings before the Planning Commission and City Council or Board of Supervisors.
• Adopt the Housing Element. Based on the recommendation of the Planning Commission, the City Council or Board of Supervisors will ultimately approve and adopt the revised Housing Element. The final adopted Housing Element must be prepared and immediately submitted to HCD, which then must issue a written determination within 90 days indicating whether the Housing Element substantially complies with State law (§ 65585).

• Initiate Implementation and Monitoring Activities. Initiate implementation activities as prescribed in the adopted Housing Element, and ensure an effective program of ongoing monitoring to track housing needs and achievements, providing feedback to the community (a “report card”) on progress in implementing the Housing Element.
• Conduct Annual Reviews. Conduct an annual review of the Housing Element to evaluate the effectiveness of its policies and programs, document progress in meeting established objectives, and refine actions and priorities as needed.