City of Los Altos Housing Element Accepted By State
Los Altos, Calif. — September 15, 2023 — The California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) has accepted the city of Los Altos’ 2023-2031 Housing Element Update (HEU) after finding it to be in substantial compliance with State housing law.
After a two-year process, including a 14-month initiative for input from residents and community groups, City Council, Commissions, housing consultants, and staff, Los Altos submitted its Housing Element Update to the State in January 2023. After revisions specified by the State, the City’s final version has been officially accepted.
“We are excited that HCD has approved the City’s Housing Element and recognized the hard work and dedication of the Los Altos community and team of staff, consultants, Commissions, and Council, which resulted in this important achievement. That said, approval is just one milestone, and the work of implementing programs we committed to in our Housing Element will be ongoing; we’ve already made significant progress this year. I know that by continuing to work together, we will facilitate housing creation in Los Altos while ensuring that this remains a special place to live, work, and play,” said Mayor Sally Meadows.
Among the next steps, the City has initiated hiring a housing services manager. This position will oversee the implementation of all programs outlined in the Housing Element in order to maintain the City’s certification. This will help to ensure Los Altos will not be subject to State-led rezoning of single-family districts; ‘Builder’s Remedy’, where State laws are enforced; and loss of funding from federal, state, and regional sources.
The HEU is part of the State’s overall effort to address the need for all types of housing for its residents. California updates mandatory housing elements for cities, towns, and counties throughout the State every eight years. In 2022, Los Altos received a directive from the State to make provisions for an additional 1958 residential units that could be built between 2023-2031, with units specifically stipulated to range from very-low income, low income, moderate income, to above-moderate income.
The adopted 6th Cycle Housing Element 2023-2031 is available at losaltosca.gov/housingelement.
Please direct media inquiries to Public Information Officer Sonia Lee at (650) 947-2611 or slee@losaltosca.gov.
