Housing Element Update

COMPLETED COSTA MESA HOUSING ELEMENT (Update May 9, 2023)

The California Department of Housing and Community Development Department (HCD) has completed its review of the City’s 6^th Cycle Housing Element dated March 1, 2023, which included minor technical changes to comply with State Law. On May 9, 2023, the HCD provided a letter to the City stating that the City’s Housing Element is completed and meets the statutory requirements of State Housing Element Law.

Revised Housing Element March 1, 2023:

Revisions to Housing Element were limited to Chapter 4 - Housing Plan, Appendix B and Appendix C and are available and linked below.

HCD Letter – January 20, 2023

On January 20, 2023, HCD provided a comment letter on the City’s revised Housing Element. Per the State, the revised draft addresses most statutory requirements, with minor revisions necessary to comply with State Law.

Housing Element (as updated pursuant to HCD comments) – January 11, 2023

On November 15, 2022, the City Council re-adopted the 2021-2029 Housing Element, as revised pursuant to HCD’s April 5, 2022 comment letter. On November 23, 2022, the City re-submitted the adopted Housing Element to the State HCD for certification. Following re-submittal, City staff met with State HCD on multiple occasions and discussed the State’s preliminary review.

In response to HCD’s preliminary review, staff have made minor revisions to the Housing Element based on the comments and requirement of the HCD. The revisions requested are minor, non-substantive, and are necessary to address the recent HCD comments, and therefore as authorized by the City Council, can be submitted to the HCD by the Director of Economic and Development Services. Please reference the links below to review the 2021-2029 Housing Element (as revised).

Cover
Chapter 1 - Introduction
Chapter 2 - Community Profile
Chapter 3 - Housing Constraints, Resources, and Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing
Chapter 4 - Housing Plan (Revised 3/1/2023)
Appendix A - Review of Past Performance
Appendix B - Candidate Sites Analysis Overview (Revised 3/1/2023)
Appendix C - Summary of Community Engagement (Revised 3/1/2023)
Appendix D - Glossary of Housing Terms

Please email housing-element@costamesaca.gov for any questions.

City Council Public Hearing Housing Element Adoption (as updated pursuant to HCD comments) – November 15, 2022

In response to HCD’s April 5, 2022 review letter, staff has been working on addressing the items recommended by HCD. Staff has scheduled the revised Housing Element, as well as a Resolution to overrule the inconsistency determination made by the Airport Land Use Commission (ALUC), for review and consideration at their November 15^th Meeting. Please reference the links below to review the 2021-2029 Housing Element (as revised).

The agenda and staff report will be available in the below link, on the City Council’s November 15 meeting agenda.

City Council Public Hearing Initial Housing Element Adoption – February 1, 2022

On Tuesday, February 1, 2022 the City Council adopted the 2021-2029 Housing Element Update. On February 4, 2022, staff re-submitted the adopted 2021-2029 Housing Element to the State Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) for certification. On April 5, 2022, staff received HCD's review letter on the City's adopted Housing Element, with revisions necessary to comply with State Housing Element Law; staff is working on addressing the items from HCD's letter and will re-submit for certification.

February 1, 2022 City Council Agenda Report & Attachments

February 1, 2022 City Council Meeting Video

Housing Ad Hoc Committee Community Discussion – January 11, 2022 at 6PM

In October 2021, the City Council created a Housing Ad Hoc Committee (Mayor Pro Tem Marr, Councilmember Reynolds, and Councilmember Harlan) to participate and advise on City activities and actions pertaining to Housing Element implementation and ongoing compliance with State housing element law.

On December 3, 2021, the State Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) issued a letter to the City commenting on its Draft Housing Element and determined that Costa Mesa’s Measure Y (approved by voters in 2016) is a constraint to the development of housing and conflicts with State law. Measure Y requires a vote of the people for certain types of development in the City, including housing projects.

The Housing Ad Hoc Committee hosted a public meeting on January 11^th to take public input, understand the purpose and challenges of Measure Y, and discuss a viable path forward for the City’s Housing Element and housing goals. Click here to watch the Costa Mesa City Council Ad Hoc Committee Study Session meeting that took place on January 11, 2022.

Ad Hoc Committee Meeting Agenda

Planning Commission Public Hearings - November 8 & 22, 2021 & December 13, 2021

Following submittal of the Draft Housing Element to the State HCD for certification on October 6, 2021, the State issued a comment letter to the City on December 3, 2021

The Planning Commission held three public hearings regarding the Housing Element on November 8, 2021, November 22, 2021 and December 13, 2021.

On December 13, the Planning Commission reviewed and considered public comments, the State’s comment letter, the revised Draft Housing Element, and the Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND) and recommended approval to the City Council on a 6-1 vote.

The Planning Commission staff reports and meeting videos can be found here.

DRAFT Housing Element Submitted to the State Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) - October 6, 2021

On October 6, 2021, the City of Costa Mesa submitted its Draft 2021–2029 Housing Element to the State for their review. The sections below comprise the entire Draft Housing Element that was submitted.

On August 17^th, 2021 the City released its Draft Housing Element for public review. The public comment period concluded on September 15^th, 2021 and a City Council and Planning Commission Joint Study Session was conducted, where staff was directed to submit the draft Housing Element to the State. Public comments submitted on the draft housing element prior to submittal to HCD are incorporated into the Draft Housing Element, Appendix C (beginning on page 412).

On October 29, 2021, the draft of Initial Study / Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND) for the City of Costa Mesa 2021-2029 Housing Element Update was made available for public review and comment. The Draft IS/MND and appendices are available for viewing here.

Did you know the City of Costa Mesa is required by state law to update its Housing Element every eight years?

According to the Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) adopted by the Southern California Association of Government (SCAG), the City of Costa Mesa is expected to add 11,760 housing units to accommodate the City’s projected housing need for the 2021-2029 planning period.

BACKGROUND

Per State law, the City of Costa Mesa must update the Housing Element of our General Plan. This update will cover the housing planning period between 2021 and 2029, often referred to as the 6^th Cycle. This update started in fall of 2020.

What is a Housing Element?

The Housing Element is one of the 10 State-required “elements” or chapters of the City’s General Plan. It identifies policies and programs (to be implemented during the planning period) to meet existing and projected housing needs for all segments of the Costa Mesa community, including various household types, special needs populations, and all income levels in the City.

The Housing Element provides an in-depth analysis of the City’s population, economic, and housing stock characteristics as well as a comprehensive evaluation of programs and regulations related to housing. Through this evaluation and analysis, the City identifies priority goals, polices, and programs that directly address the housing needs of the City’s current and future residents.

Key Features of the Housing Element:

Population and housing profile of Costa Mesa
Evaluation of housing constraints and resources
Evaluation of existing housing programs and policies
Identification of appropriate sites to accommodate housing at all income levels
Policies, programs and quantified objectives

What is the Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA)?

The Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) is mandated by State Housing Law as part of the periodic process of updating local housing elements of the General Plan. The State Department of Housing and Community Development identifies a Statewide projected housing need and apportions that needs to each metropolitan area in the State.

The City of Costa Mesa is located in the Southern California Association of Government (SCAG) region. SCAG adopted the final RHNA draft on November 3, 2020 and distributed a RHNA allocation to each jurisdiction in its region, including Costa Mesa.

For the 2021-2029 planning period, the City of Costa Mesa is allocated an estimated 11,760 housing units to accommodate the City’s projected housing needs. The Housing Element must identify “adequate sites” and set forth policies and programs that will accommodate this estimated growth. Although the City is required to provide the programs, policies and zoning to incentivize and allow for this growth, as well as report to the State annually as to its progress, the City is not required to produce, construct or develop these units itself.

2021 - 2029 City of Costa Mesa RHNA Housing Needs Allocation

Income Category	% of Median Family Income	Income Range *		RHNA Allocation (Housing Units)
Income Category	% of Median Family Income	Min.	Max.	RHNA Allocation (Housing Units)
Very Low Income	0 – 50%	--	$51,500	2,919 units
Low Income	51 – 80%	$51,501	$82,400	1,794 units
Moderate Income	81 – 120%	$82,401	$123,600	2,088 units
Above Moderate Income	> 120%	$123,601	> $123,601	4,959 units
Total:				11,760 units

* Income range is based on the 2020 HUD Median Family Income (MFI) for Orange County of $103,000.

The City submitted a formal appeal of its RHNA allocation to SCAG on October 26, 2020. The final RHNA was adopted by SCAG in March 2021.

Importance of Updating the Housing Element

The City is required to have an adopted Housing Element certified by HCD within 120 days of the statutory deadline (October 15, 2021).

Being a compliant City:

Allows the City to be eligible for State grants and funding sources
Demonstrates the City’s ability to meet future housing growth needs
Allows the community to further engage in the planning process

What is included in the Housing Element Update process?

The Housing Element update process is a community-based process and will include a variety of activities to interface with the Costa Mesa community. Key features include:

Multiple opportunities for the community to provide input in the process and share their views of the future of housing in Costa Mesa
Comprehensive review of demographics in the community to reflect existing conditions and future needs
Analysis of “adequate sites” to meet the City’s 2021-2029 RHNA allocation
Policy program that outlines City housing policy and identifies specific housing programs and actions that will be implemented during the planning period to achieve our housing goals
Public Hearings before the Planning Commission and City Council

Summary of Community Meetings

Townhall Meetings (November 18, 2020 & September 2, 2021)

The City conducted a virtual townhall meeting on November 18, 2020 for community members to come and learn about the Housing Element update process and provide initial feedback and guidance. The townhall was hosted in both Spanish and English. Advertising for the townhall included handouts and flyers, posts on the City’s website, doorknob hangers, social media posts, text and email blasts, and outreach to local community organizations and faith-based organizations.

The City conducted a second virtual townhall meeting on September 2, 2021, to provide information about the Public Review Draft and information on how the community can provide feedback. The townhall was hosted in both Spanish and English. Advertising for the townhall included city-wide mailer, posts on the City’s website, social media posts, text and email blasts, and outreach to local community organizations and faith-based organizations.

For more information on the presentations and the topics discussed at the meetings, please refer to the following:

September 2nd

PowerPoint presentation (English and Spanish)

November 18th

Townhall Q & A

PowerPoint presentation (English and Spanish)

Fact Sheet (English and Spanish)

Townhall Meeting videos

District Specific Meetings (February 17& 18, 2021)

The City hosted district-specific community outreach meetings on February 17 & 18, 2021 to discuss the future of housing as it pertains to specific Costa Mesa neighborhoods. The focus of these interactive workshops was to learn about each district’s unique opportunities and challenges from community members who experience these areas every day.

District 1 Virtual Meeting

District 2 Virtual Meeting

District 3 Virtual Meeting

District 4 Virtual Meeting

District 5 Virtual Meeting

District 6 Virtual Meeting

City Council and Planning Commission Joint Study Session (April 27, 2021)

On April 27, 2021, the City held a joint study session with the City Council and Planning Commission. The intent of the study session was to provide and update and request feedback on the Housing Element Update’s progress, including the Community Profile, opportunities and constraints to housing, and potential housing opportunities to meet the RHNA allocation. Click here for the April 27th Study Session Presentation.

City Council and Planning Commission Joint Study Session (September 13, 2021)

On September 13, 2021, the City held a joint study session with the City Council and Planning Commission. The intent of the study session was to provide an update on the Public Review Draft and request feedback prior to submission of the Draft Housing Element to the State Department of Housing and Community Development. Click here for the September 13^th Study Session Presentation.

Other Resources

Thanks to funding from the Regional Early Action Planning Grant Program (REAP), the Orange County Council of Governments (OCCOG) has developed a series of videos for those wanting to learn more about housing-related topics. Please click here to watch these videos and learn more about housing-related topics (Spanish version videos are also provided on the website).

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