State releases SB 423 streamlining update
SB 423 requires that jursidictions that have not made sufficient progress on their housing goals are subject to Streamlined Ministerial Approval Process (SMAP).for qualifying proposed developments. The California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) evaluates all jurisdictions half-way through each housing element cycle and at the end of each housing element cycle. HCD completed…
A Primer on Affordable Housing
There have always been portions of the population unable to afford market rate housing. At one time, the government directly financed, owned and managed housing projects for these populations, commonly referred to as public housing. While the government still manages some housing projects it often doesn’t do a good job at this – just look…
Housing Element Update – Dec 2023
Another important date in the housing element process is just around the corner. Jurisdictions that did not have their housing elements certified by May 31, 2023 must have all housing element rezonings completed by January 31st, 2024. Only Sausalito was certified by May 31, 2023, so they will have until January 2026 to complete their…
Lawsuits and Housing Production
Marin County has had the lowest rate of housing production in the Bay Area for over 50 years. Exclusionary zoning rules and creation of open space have slowed production, but arguably, lawsuits have been an even larger factor. Marin famously kicked off the conservation movement and the use of lawsuits to block development in the…