CityofSantaBarbara
On February 13, 2024, the State Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) informed the City that the City’s adopted Housing Element is in substantial compliance with state law. The City submitted the 2023-2031 Housing Element for state approval on December 21, 2023, following its adoption by City Council on December 12, 2023.
The Housing Element is a state-mandated part of the City’s General Plan and identifies how the city will accommodate its Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) of 8,001 units at different levels of affordability and affirmatively further fair housing across the community.
The City’s 2023-2031 Housing Element analysis shows that the City has the capacity to accommodate its share of the RHNA without the need to rezone parcels for higher density. With this finding from HCD, the City will no longer be accepting project applications under the Builder’s Remedy provisions in the Housing Accountability Act.
“This is a significant milestone and is a document that the community can be proud of. Special thanks to our dedicated Planning Division and City Attorney’s Office staff, the Planning Commission, and the City Council for their tireless efforts over the past several years.” Allison De Busk, City Planner
“This document provides the City with a solid foundation for new programs that will help us meet our affordability and housing needs. We’re pleased to have it certified – it’s been a long and challenging process with the state’s review and new requirements. We’re eager to work with the community on implementation and construction of much needed housing.” Community Development Director Elias Isaacson
The final adopted and certified 2023-2031 Housing Element is posted at SantaBarbaraCA.gov/HEU. City staff can now look forward to implementing the essential programs to meet the community’s housing needs throughout this cycle of the Housing Element.
Last night I happened to be on upper State Street. at 6 o’clock-ish it was bumper-to-bumper traffic nobody would let me onto the street from the Whole Foods parking lot and it took me a good 60 to 8 minutes just to get to Las Positas. I can only imagine what upper state will be like with 600 units going in by Macy. I feel for the people behind the mission if they truly get 700 more units.
Yep, it be like that. Many don’t seem to get it though.
And what happens with the “builder’s remedy”?
700 units behind the Old Mission because of a “legal loophole”
Hmmmmmm