RHNA, “Equity and Climate for Homes”, and State Legislature

RHNA Methodology Finalized

On Friday, July 10, the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) voted to finalize and approve the methodology for distribution of the Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) determination from the state. The cities of Coronado, Imperial Beach, Lemon Grove and Solana Beach submitted appeals to the methodology that had previously been approved by the board in a weighted vote. After the appeals were rejected, the board once again voted by weighted vote as allowed by AB 805 to approve the final methodology. Several board representatives ‘walked out’ in protest of the weighted vote. The final methodology was approved with 7 votes in favor and 4 opposed. The plan will now be submitted to the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) for approval. Once approved by the state, the allocations that cities receive from the plan will be the basis for updating their 6th Cycle Housing Elements due to the state by April 15, 2021.

Circulate San Diego Releases “Equity and Climate for Homes” Report

A report released this month by Circulate San Diego, “Equity and Climate for Homes,” shows that a large percentage of projects under the City of San Diego’s Affordable Homes Bonus Program (AHBP) are located in transit priority areas and high opportunity areas. San Diego Housing Federation was involved in the development of the program and served on the advisory committee for this report. The report finds that 63% of AHBP projects are located in high or highest opportunity census tracts using the TCAC opportunity maps and 97% are within a half-mile of high-performing transit.

State Legislature racing to meet deadlines after pandemic closures

After several setbacks due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the California legislature is scheduled to reconvene on July 27 at the state capitol. Members were originally slated to return on July 13, but the date was delayed after two members of the Assembly tested positive for coronavirus. In order to meet the August 31 deadline to pass bills in a session that has already been impacted by a month-long shutdown in March, lawmakers are asking their colleagues to scale back the bills that they are pursuing this year. In addition to bills, the legislature will also need to review the state budget once revenue projections become clearer after the extended tax filing deadline of July 15.