Understanding the 7th Cycle Regional Housing Needs Allocation Process: What to Know as the Process Gets Underway
SCAG is officially underway with the early stages of the 7th Cycle Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) process. RHNA is a state-mandated process that occurs every eight years to help ensure California communities plan for housing needs of people at all income levels. As the region begins the 7th Cycle RHNA process, staff from the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD).
At the Oct. 1 Regional Council meeting, HCD presented an overview of the RHNA process, including the development of the Regional Housing Needs Determination (RHND) and state requirements that guide this work. HCD’s presentation detailed the phases of the RHNA process, outlined roles and responsibilities between SCAG and the state, and discussed how to prepare for and engage with the process.
RHNA is a Multi-Phase Process
The multiple, distinct phases of RHNA begin with HCD’s determination of the region’s overall housing need and continue through SCAG’s development of a methodology that guides an allocation plan. After the RHNA process, this allocation plan informs local housing planning.
The RHNA process does not direct individual housing projects or determine the precise location, design, or timing of development. Local jurisdictions retain responsibility for local land use and housing elements, including identifying how they will accommodate their assigned housing allocation in accordance with state law.
The Process Starts with the Regional Housing Needs Determination
The upcoming RHND is an early milestone in this process. HCD develops the RHND in technical consultation with SCAG, considering demographic trends and housing conditions in the region. State requirements include consideration of factors such as projected population and household growth, overcrowding, housing cost burden, vacancy rates, jobs-housing imbalances, and housing units recently lost due to a state-declared emergency. The RHND establishes the total number of housing units the SCAG region will need to plan for during the 7th Cycle RHNA. The RHND is a regional number and does not establish the number of housing units that any individual city or county will be assigned.
SCAG Then Develops the Allocation Methodology
SCAG’s role in the RHNA process is one of its statutory requirements as a metropolitan planning organization. In coordinating the RHNA process for its six-county region, SCAG develops the allocation methodology, conducts public outreach, establishes jurisdictional allocations, and supports the appeals process.
Once the regional housing need is determined, SCAG begins to develop the 7th Cycle RHNA Allocation Methodology. The methodology will establish the framework for distributing the regional housing need among SCAG’s member jurisdictions and must meet state requirements and further RHNA’s statutory objectives. Developing the methodology requires an understanding of the diverse housing needs, planning conditions, and opportunities across the SCAG region. SCAG uses relevant data and information from local jurisdictions and stakeholders to inform the proposed 7th Cycle methodology. Input from jurisdictions helps SCAG understand local planning conditions and existing efforts to affirmatively further fair housing.
SCAG established its RHNA Subcommittee over the summer, laying the foundation for its work over the coming year, including developing the proposed allocation methodology. The methodology will be developed through a public process, including opportunities for jurisdictions, stakeholders, and community members to provide input.
Stay Connected During the Process
SCAG will continue to provide information throughout the 7th Cycle to help jurisdictions, stakeholders, and community members understand the process, participate in discussions, and provide input at appropriate stages.
Visit the SCAG RHNA website for more information or subscribe to Housing updates to receive up-to-date information on the 7th Cycle RHNA process.