Open Space Great America Santa Clara Mission Office Building Santa Clara University Trail Historical House

FAQs

Housing Element

What is a Housing Element?

A housing element is part of a general plan. State law requires that it be updated every five years and, therefore, it follows a different schedule from the rest of a general plan. Regional governments throughout the State (i.e. the Association of Bay Area Governments – ABAG – for the San Francisco Bay Area) estimate housing needs for localities within their region and allocate a specific number of units at varying household income levels to each city and county in the region. In turn, local governments must assess their existing housing stock, consider their regional housing allocations and develop policies that meet these housing goals. The housing element is prepared to meet State law requirements and achieve certification from the Department of Housing and Community Development. Click here to see the City of Santa Clara’s current Housing Element.