Housing Element Update 2023
City of Santa Maria Housing Element Update (2023-2031)
Key Documents:
Draft Housing Element 2023
Link to Existing (2015-2023) Housing Element: https://www.cityofsantamaria.org/home/showpublisheddocument/600/635635846735700000
Background
The Housing Element is one of the eight required elements of the City’s General Plan and provides a written framework for meeting the City’s housing goals. Unlike the other elements of the General Plan, State law requires the Housing Element to be updated every eight years and have it certified by the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD).
The City of Santa Maria’s current Housing Element is for the planning period 2015-2023, and the City must update its Housing Element for the 2023-2031 planning period. The updated Housing Element is required to be reviewed by the HCD and adopted by the City Council. Upon adoption, the Housing Element will serve as the City’s policy document regarding the development, maintenance, and improvement of housing for all economic segments of the City’s residents for the next 8 years beginning in 2023.
Components of the Housing Element
The Housing Element typically includes:
- Housing Needs Assessment: Examine demographic, employment, and housing trends and conditions that affect Santa Maria’s housing needs;
- Housing Sites Inventory: Identify locations of available sites for housing development or redevelopment to ensure that there is adequate capacity to address the Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA);
- Evaluation of Past Performance: Review the prior Housing Element to measure progress in implementing policies and programs;
- Community Outreach and Engagement: Implement a robust community outreach and engagement program, with a particular focus on outreach to traditionally underrepresented groups;
- Constraints Analysis: Analyze and recommend remedies for existing and potential governmental and nongovernmental barriers to housing development; and
- Policies and Programs: Establish policies and programs to fulfill the identified housing needs.
Determining Santa Maria’s Housing Needs
The Housing Element will incorporate the Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) assigned to the City by the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG). For the 6th Cycle RHNA Projection Period, the City’s assigned RHNA is 5,418 units.
|
City of Santa Maria 6th Cycle RHNA |
||
|
Income Level |
Residential Units |
Percent of Total |
|
Very Low |
1,032 |
19% |
|
Low |
536 |
10% |
|
Moderate |
731 |
13.5% |
|
Above Moderate |
3,119 |
57.5% |
|
TOTAL UNITS |
5,418 |
100% |
As required by State law, the Housing Element will identify locations within the city appropriate for residential development that can accommodate the number of future housing units identified in the RHNA.
Housing Element Schedule
The City will have a draft of the 6th cycle Housing Element available for public review during the fall of 2022. The City is required by State law to complete the 6th cycle Housing Element of no later than June 2023. This section will be updated regularly to include future scheduled public meetings, hearings, and workshops.
Past Meetings and Workshops:
- March 3, 2022 – Planning Commission Study Session
- April 5, 2022 – City Council Informational Report/Briefing
- Fair Housing Workshops:
- Thursday October 27, 3:30 – 5:00 p.m. Maramonte Community Center, 620 East Sunrise Drive
- Friday October 28, 3:00 – 4:30 p.m., Grogan Community Center, 1155 West Rancho Verde
- Thursday, November 3, 3:00 – 4:30 p.m., Santa Maria Public Library, Shepard Hall, 421 South McClelland Street
- Monday, November 7, 5:30 - 7:00 p.m., Santa Maria Public Library, Shepard Hall, 421 South McClelland Street or register to attend virtually via Zoom at https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_AKMcvOE9T3K9_Z2fDZZgSw
- December 1, 2022 - Housing Element Draft Public Workshop
- Draft Housing Element Presentation
- Presentación del Borrador del Elemento de Vivienda
Upcoming Meetings and Workshops:
- December 8, 2022 - Planning Commission Study Session
Public Participation
A successful Housing Element is based on an inclusive process in which the community has the chance to participate and provide input. Community outreach will be an important part of this Housing Element update and the City will be seeking input through a variety of engagement opportunities to learn from the community about what matters to you.
Please join our email list to stay up to date on the project! https://www.imaginesantamaria.com/contact
The City wants your input. Questions and input regarding the Housing Element may be directed to Frank Albro, Principal Planner, Community Development Department, (805) 925-0951 ext. 2379. Inquiries and comments may be mailed to:
Department: Community Development Department
Contact Person: Frank Albro, Principal Planner
Telephone Number: (805) 925-0951 ext. 2379
Email Address: Falbro@cityofsantamaria.org
General Plan Update
The City is updating its General Plan at the same time as it is drafting the new Housing Element. The City wants all residents, business persons, and community members to have a voice in the future of Santa Maria. Visit the project website to see how you can get involved: https://www.imaginesantamaria.com/