Planning and zoning: housing elements.

Assembly Member Mark González's housing element legislation introduces new requirements for California local governments to address housing inequities through targeted development in higher-income areas. The bill modifies existing housing element law to mandate that jurisdictions demonstrate meaningful allocation of their lower-income housing obligations within higher-income, racially exclusive neighborhoods where such areas exist.

The legislation establishes more rigorous analysis requirements for fair housing assessments. Local governments must complete these evaluations at least one year before adopting revised housing elements, incorporating direct consultation with protected classes and their representative organizations. The bill also requires jurisdictions to rezone sites within specified timeframes if their housing inventories fail to affirmatively further fair housing goals.

To ensure consistent implementation, the Department of Housing and Community Development must develop a standardized reporting format for jurisdictions to document their fair housing programs and actions. This format will track implementation timelines, responsible parties, dedicated resources, action areas, and potential impacts. Local governments must utilize this standardized reporting beginning with their seventh housing element revision.

The measure applies to all California cities, including charter cities, as the Legislature determines these provisions address matters of statewide concern rather than municipal affairs. While creating new local government obligations, the bill specifies that no state reimbursement is required, as jurisdictions maintain authority to levy fees and assessments to fund compliance.