The Town of Hillsborough has adopted a 2009 Housing Element

The State of California requires that all Bay Area jurisdictions adopt and forward a Housing Element to the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) by June 30, 2009.

A key part of every Housing Element cycle is the development of the Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) which is the number and affordability levels of housing units to be provided by each jurisdiction. The allocations have the potential to be very important for each jurisdiction since the Housing Elements, in order to be certified, need to demonstrate the way in which the units will be provided.

During the last Housing Element cycle (January 1, 1999 through June 30, 2006) the Town of Hillsborough was required to plan for the construction of 84 new housing units. State Housing Law does not require the construction of the allocated number of new units but rather the planning and opportunity for the allocated number of new units. The existing Housing Element documents the opportunity for construction of 138 new housing units within the 1999-2006 planning period. Additionally, the Town of Hillsborough issued permits for 98 new units (second dwelling units and net new residential units) during the 1999-2006 planning period. The Town's success can be attributed to the relaxation of the second unit program, vacant land opportunities, housing programs, and dedicated efforts in working with HCD by the Town Council and Staff.

For prepration and certification of the last Housing Element prepared in 2002, a fourteen member "Housing Element Steering Committee" was appointed to include citizens from different geographic areas and economic segments within the Town, financial and real estate professionals, decision-makers, etc., to identify key policies and develop strategies to maximize affordable housing opportunities for the community. The process was very successful and resulted in a Certified Housing Element. The Town used the same approach for the current Housing Element cycle by utilizing a similar format and making changes to the document only where needed.

On June 8, 2009 the City Council adopted the 2009 Hillsborough Housing Element. Additionally, on July 1, 2009 the California Department of Housing and Community Development found the adopted Housing Element to be in full compliance with State Hosuing law.

Please contact the Director of Building and Planning, Elizabeth Cullinan, at 650 375-7411 or ecullinan@hillsborough.net with any questions.

Click here to see the adopted June 8, 2009 Hillsborough Housing Element.

Click here to see the July 1, 2009 Letter of Compliance from the California Housing and Community Development Department.