Review finds Alameda’s Housing Element in compliance with State law

Published on August 29, 2022

On August 25, 2022, the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) notified the City of Alameda that its Draft General Plan Housing Element is in substantial compliance with State Housing Element Law. The Housing Element is an eight-year plan (2023-2031) to help the City advance its goals of meeting the housing needs of current and future Alameda residents and providing fair housing options for all. HCD is anticipated to certify the Housing Element pending the City Council’s adoption of the plan and key programs by January 2023.  

The plan was developed in collaboration with residents, businesses, and other stakeholders, and provides the City with a roadmap to increase housing production to meet the projected demand by the Association of Bay Area Governments for over 5,300 new housing units. The plan will also increase housing affordability, improve housing conditions, and facilitate the development of housing for all income levels and household types.

“The positive response to the draft Housing Element from the State of California is a reflection and validation of the hundreds of hours that the Alameda Planning Board and the Alameda community put into creating a plan that carefully balances the requirements of State Housing Law with local goals and preferences as to where and how to build housing in Alameda over the next eight years,” remarked Planning, Building, and Transportation Director Andrew Thomas. “It is quite an achievement.”

In its letter to the City, HCD applauded the City's leadership for taking significant steps forward to affirmatively further fair housing and accommodate the future housing needs of all segments of the community.

The draft Housing Element that was shared with HCD will be presented to the Alameda Planning Board on September 12. To learn more, visit www.alameda2040.org.