LEAGUE OF
CALIFORNIA
CITIES
April 9, 2024
The Honorable Matt Haney
Chair, California State Assembly Committee on Housing and Community Development 1020 N Street, Room 156
Sacramento, CA 95814
RE: AB 650 (Papan) Planning and Zoning: Housing Element: Regional Housing Needs Allocation.
Notice of SUPPORT (As of 3/28/25)
Dear Chair Haney,
The League of California Cities (Cal Cities) strongly supports AB 650 (Papan), which would allow local governments to begin the housing element update process six months early, provide greater certainty and reduce ambiguity in the housing element review process, and ensure that local governments have adequate time to respond to the California Department of Housing and Community Development's (HCD) review Since 1969, California's local governments have planned and selected sites for housing at all income levels through the housing element portion of a local government's general plan. Every five to eight years, local governments are required to adopt a blueprint outlining where developers can or cannot build residential developments within their respective communities and obtain certification from HCD. Local governments plan for their fair share of housing development as determined through the Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) process. As part of this complex process, local governments submit in their housing elements a variety of essential data, actions, and programs to promote fair, equitable, and affordable housing in their community.
Currently, local jurisdictions are planning and zoning for nearly 2.5 million additional During the 6th RHNA cycle, local governments experienced various challenges in obtaining certification from HCD. Some of the challenges include a short timeline for completing these complex documents and responding to HCD's feedback, a lack of clarity regarding what the state expects from local governments when reviewing additional housing element drafts, and the introduction of new requirements late in the housing element review process.
AB 650 would address these issues by allowing local governments to begin updating their housing element six months early. The bill would also require HCD to provide specific text and analysis that must be included in the housing element to remedy deficiencies, ensuring that local governments are not penalized when HCD identifies additional deficiencies not previously identified in prior review letters. 1400 K Street, Suite 400, Sacramento, CA 95814 • 916.658.8200 • calcities.org
LEAGUE OF
CALIFORNIA
CITIES
AB 650 would provide greater clarity and certainty to the housing element process and help ensure that all jurisdictions adopt a certified housing element on time. For these reasons, Cal Cities is pleased to support AB 650 (Papan). If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact me at [email protected] or 916-658-8255.
Sincerely,
Brans Suertin
Brady Guertin
Legislative Advocate
Cc: The Honorable Diane Papan
Members, Assembly Committee on Housing and Community Development 1400 K Street, Suite 400, Sacramento, CA 95814 • 916.658.8200 • calcities.org