• Legislation authored by Assemblymember Diane Papan, D-San Mateo, to improve the review and certification process for local housing elements has passed the California Legislature and is now on Gov. Gavin Newsom’s desk for signature.
Assembly Bill 650 addresses the persistent challenges cities and counties face in obtaining timely certification of their housing elements as part of the state’s Regional Housing Needs Allocation process overseen by the California Department of Housing and Community Development intended to expand zoning opportunities for housing. The bill also places new responsibilities on HCD to provide actionable feedback to local governments, reducing delays and supporting California’s housing production goals, according to Papan’s office.
Under AB 650, HCD must identify and explain any deficiencies in draft or adopted housing elements it deems noncompliant with state law and provide specific text or analysis to bring those elements into compliance. The bill also extends several timelines in the RHNA process — such as moving up consultations between HCD and regional councils of governments to 38 months before housing elements are due, and providing local governments additional time to incorporate feedback — giving jurisdictions more certainty as they work to meet housing targets, according to Papan’s office.
The governor has until Oct. 12 to sign or veto the legislation.
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