The California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) has specific timelines and noticing requirements for Housing Elements that the City must follow. One of those requirements is to release revisions to the Draft Housing Element for a 7-day public comment period. The City has revised Programs 6-4 and 6-8 (Pages H-31 and H-33) of the Second Draft Housing Element dated July 30, 2024 in response to HCD comments. The revisions were made to align with previous HCD comments, and City Council direction from their July 16, 2024 meeting in which the Council concluded not to pursue a ballot initiative related to Measure D, the City’s voter-approved residential growth limitation program. These edits are made in addition to edits proposed in the City’s revised draft of the Housing Element released on May 31, 2024 and necessitate the additional 7-day public notice period. 

The City Council is scheduled to review the Second Draft of the Cycle 6 Housing Element at their special meeting on Wednesday, August 7 at 6:00 pm. The agenda and staff report will be made available for public review by the evening of Friday, August 2. Following City Council’s review, staff anticipates submitting the Second Draft to HCD. HCD will have up to 60 days to send a response to the City regarding all proposed revisions. The Planning Commission and City Council will review HCD responses in Fall 2024, following the HCD 60-day review. 

All revisions can be viewed on the Housing Element website (www.hmbcity.com/housingelement).   

The HCD requires the formal public comment period to close on August 7, 2024, at 5 pm. Comments can be submitted via email at [email protected]. Comments received will be made part of the record and provided to HCD. The City continuously welcomes comments and questions about the Housing Element.