Cotati 2023 Housing Element Update

The City recently updated the Housing Element of the City's General Plan to ensure that we're prepared to meet the future housing needs of Cotati. Under State law, every City and County in California is required to update its Housing Element to address specific requirements and submit the element to the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD). 

The Housing Element serves as Cotati’s blueprint for meeting the housing needs of our residents, including people living at all economic levels and those with unique or specific housing needs. 

The City of Cotati's 6th Cycle Draft Housing Element was submitted for review by the State Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) on November 18, 2022. Pursuant to AB 215 (Chapter 342, Statutes of 2021), a Public Review Draft of the Draft Housing Element was made available for public review for over 30 days (beginning September 27, 2022) and has been revised to address public comments. The City received formal comments on the draft 6th Cycle Housing Element from the State Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) on February 16, 2023.  The HCD comments requested additional information and/or supplemental analysis be added to the draft Housing Element before HCD could certify the document. In response, City staff has amended the documents (provided below in both redline/strikethrough and clean formats) to include this information and analysis, bringing the document into conformance with all elements of California housing law.  On June 2nd, 2023, the HCD certified the City of Cotati Housing Element

Certified Housing Element

Certified Housing Element Appendices

Certified Technical Background Report

Housing Element Final Addendum

Final Environment Impact Report

HCD Certification Letter

What is a Housing Element?

According to State law, the Housing Element must:

  • Provide goals, policies, quantified objectives and scheduled programs to preserve, improve and develop housing;
  • Identify and analyze existing and projected housing needs for all economic segments of the community;
  • Identify adequate sites that are zoned and available within the 8-year housing cycle to meet the city's fair share of regional housing needs at all income levels;
  • Be certified (approved) by the State Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) as complying with state law; and
  • Be internally consistent with other parts of the General Plan (meeting this requirement is critical to having a legally adequate General Plan).

What Is Included in the Update Process?

Income Chart for JurisdictionsThe update process includes a variety of opportunities for the community to be involved. Key features include:

  • Community workshops and public meetings;
  • Community surveys;
  • Comprehensive review of community demographics to reflect existing conditions;
  • Assessment of Adequacy of residential zoned land to address the 2023-2031 Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) allocation;
  • Public Hearings before the Planning Commission and City Council.

Based on Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) draft Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) methodology, what will be Cotati's fair share of RHNA?

Based on Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) draft RHNA Methodology, Cotati's fair share of the region's housing need is expected to be 234 new housing units, including at least 60 very-low income units (less than 50% of the Area Median Income (AMI)), 34 low income units (50%-80% of AMI), 39 moderate income units (80% to 120% of AMI), and the remaining being market rate units with no income restrictions or requirements.

ABAG's proposed RHNA methodology is not yet final. The ABAG Executive Board is anticipated to adopt a final RHNA methodology in December 2021, following the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) review and an appeal period.

Review ABAG's RHNA Draft Methodology Report (PDF).

Stay Informed!

To receive notifications on opportunities to participate in the Housing Element Update and key decision points, please sign up for notifications through the following form.

Housing Interest List

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