Housing

Overview

Housing and land use are essential components of effective regional planning. SCAG’s efforts in planning and policy development include providing a forum for policy dialogue, information sharing, technical analysis and consensus on critical mobility, housing and natural resource issues confronting the region.

Traditionally, SCAG’s role in housing has been focused on preparing the Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) every eight years, in support of the region meeting is housing production goals. With the allocation of $47 million in Regional Early Action Planning (REAP) state funding, SCAG has now expanded its role beyond RHNA to support local government and stakeholders to develop and adopt land use plans and other programs that accelerate housing production and help meet the region’s goals for producing 1.3 million new units of housing by 2029.

SCAG is administering the REAP funds through a combination of direct technical assistance, including housing element data components and policy assessments, subregional partnerships with councils of government, community-based partnership grants in collaboration with philanthropic organizations, and planning support offered through the Sustainable Communities Program to local jurisdictions or entities serving single or multiple jurisdictions.

Housing Supportive Grant Application Technical Assistance

SCAG has announced a call for applications for jurisdictions and Tribal Governments to receive housing-supportive grant application technical assistance as part of our efforts to accelerate housing production throughout the region. Several notices of funding availability for grants are made available by the California Department of Housing and Community Development and other agencies on a rolling basis, such as the Infill Infrastructure Grant program, Indian Housing Block Grant and Equitable Community Revitalization Grant.

SCAG is offering expert assistance to help recipients prepare and submit applications for funding opportunities made available this year. Applications for assistance are accepted on a rolling basis until funds are expended. 

APPLY TODAY

For more information, email housing@scag.ca.gov.

Overview

Regional Housing Needs Assessment

Regional Housing Needs Assessment Banner Image

What is RHNA?

The Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) is mandated by State Housing Law as part of the periodic process of updating local housing elements of the General Plan. RHNA quantifies the need for housing within each jurisdiction during specified planning periods.

In March 2021, SCAG adopted its 6th cycle RHNA allocation plan, which covers the planning period October 2021 through October 2029. For the 6th cycle, SCAG received a need of 1,341,827 housing units, which was distributed to all 197 SCAG jurisdictions.

Overview

Housing Element Support

6th Cycle Housing Element Adoption

Sixth cycle housing elements are due to HCD by October 15, 2021. Jurisdictions are to submit housing elements directly to HCD through their submittal process — HCD is required to provide comments on submitted draft housing elements within 60 days of submittal. To ensure adequate time for HCD review and any needed changes, it is recommended that jurisdictions submit their draft housing elements well in advance of the 60 days prior to the October deadline.

Jurisdictions that do not have an adopted and compliant housing element by the October deadline may be ineligible to apply for local funding opportunities, including the Permanent Local Housing Allocation/Senate Bill 2 grant anticipated in December 2021. View HCD’s Housing Element Compliance Fact Sheet detailing consequences of housing element compliance and non-compliance, accountability and enforcement.

6th Cycle Housing Element Update Resources

To comply with state housing law, jurisdictions within California must update their housing element every eight (8) years. In collaboration with the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD), SCAG has developed a variety of resources to assist local jurisdictions. These data are available as complete reports as well as in raw format. HCD has certified the local housing data and ADU Affordability Analyses for local use in the housing element.

Overview

Sustainable Communities Strategies Integration

The Sustainable Communities Program (SCP) – Housing and Sustainable Development (HSD) 

The Sustainable Communities Program (SCP) – Housing and Sustainable Development (HSD) will provide resources and direct technical assistance to approximately 25 jurisdictions to complete local planning efforts that both accelerate housing production as well as enable implementation of the Sustainable Communities Strategy of Connect SoCal. For this cycle, the HSD program is funded by Regional Early Action Planning (REAP) grant funds.

Overview

Accessory Dwelling Unit Planning and Development

Changes in state law in recent years have increased the potential for Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) to support increased housing supply.  New laws have addressed barriers to their implementation at scale, for example: setting development criteria for ADUs, streamlined processing, and limiting impact fees.