Exhibit M
Housing Accountability Act Decision Matrix
Housing Accountability Act Technical Assistance Advisory 4 Housing Accountability Act Decision Matrix
This decision tree generally describes the components of the HAA. Both affordable and market-rate developments are protected by components of the HAA. The statute contains detailed requirements that affect the applicability of the HAA to a specific housing project based on its characteristics.
A) Does the project meet the definition of a housing development? YES
NO: HAA does not apply
B) Are 20% of the total units affordable to very low- or low-income households, 100% affordable to moderate or middle income households, or an emergency shelter? YES, Subdivision (d) applies
Does one of the following findings apply?
(1) Housing element is in compliance, RHNA has been
met (permitted) or exceeded for all income categories
proposed for project.
(2) Project has a specific, adverse impact upon the
public health or safety, and there is no feasible method to mitigate or avoid impact.
(3) Denial is required to comply with specific state or federal law, and there is no feasible method to comply. (4) The project is proposed on land zoned for agriculture or inadequate water or sewer.
(5) The project is inconsistent with both zoning and
general plan land use designation, and the project is not proposed on a site identified in the housing element, and there are sufficient sites to accommodate the RHNA or
zoning for emergency shelters.
Yes
Make finding and
move to C).
NO
Project cannot be denied
w/o potential HAA
violation.
NO, Subdivision (j) applies
C) Is the project consistent with objective general plan, zoning, subdivision, and design standards and criteria? YES
Is there a specific, adverse
impact upon the public
health or safety? and
Is there no feasible method
to satisfactorily mitigate or
avoid the adverse impact?
YES
Can make
written
findings to
deny project
or condition
approval at
lower-density.
NO
The project
cannot be
denied w/o
potential HAA
violation.
NO
Does the project meet general
plan standards but zoning is
inconsistent with general plan?
YES
The project is
consistent
with zoning.
NO
Provide written
documentation
of
inconsistency.