Since 1969, California has required local governments (cities and counties) to adequately plan to meet their communities existing and projected housing needs, including their fair share of the Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA). Local governments meet this requirement by adopting housing plans, every eight years as part of their General Plan. The Housing Element not only establishes the housing need and demand goals, but also outlines a variety of housing programs the local jurisdiction will implement, as well as regulatory standards that are a hindrance to housing production that the local jurisdiction needs to remove. Once adopted, local governments will assess their progress towards meeting the Housing Element goals and submit an annual report to the California Department of Housing & Community Development (HCD).
To learn more about what the housing element is and why we need it, watch the 2 minute HCD video below
The Housing Element describes the needs and conditions of the City, assesses patterns of segregation and disparities and access to opportunities, identifies development sites to accommodate the City's Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) of 1,815 units, and establishes goals, policies, and implementation actions to improve future housing opportunities.
Housing Element Goals
H1:
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Facilitate the construction of a wide variety of housing types, for various income levels, in a manner that promotes environmental responsibility and long-term sustainability.
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H2:
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Conserve and improve the condition of the existing housing stock to enhance the livability of neighborhood(s) for all residents. |
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H3:
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Ensure housing is accessible and affordable to very-low-, low-, and moderate-income residents, with a priority for those with special needs. |
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H4:
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Ensure community members have equitable access to safe, sanitary and affordable housing as protected under State and Federal Fair Housing Laws. |
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H5:
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Reduce or remove governmental and nongovernmental constraints to the development, improvement, and maintenance of housing, where feasible. |
Annual Reports
By April 1 of each year the city must submit an annual report to HCD, that is reviewed and approved by the City Council, demonstrating progress on the Housing Element. A copy of the Annual Reports associated with the 2023-2031 Housing Element will be posted here.
On November 18, 2014, the Emeryville City Council unanimously adopted the 2015-2023 Housing Element of the General Plan and approved its submittal to the State Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) for certification. Emeryville was the only city in the Bay Area for which HCD required no changes during the initial review. The Housing Element examines demographic shifts, including significant population increases, and identifies development sites to accommodate the City's 2015-2023 regional housing needs allocation of 1,498 units.
The adopted 2015-2023 Housing Element is available.
- 2015-2023 Housing Element - Complete Document(PDF, 4MB)
- Cover and Table of Contents(PDF, 935KB)
- Chapter 1. Introduction(PDF, 3MB)
- Chapter 2. Housing Needs Assessment(PDF, 3MB)
- Chapter 3. Potential Constraints(PDF, 3MB)
- Chapter 4. Housing Resources(PDF, 2MB)
- Chapter 5. Achievement of 2009-2014 Housing Element Goals(PDF, 2MB)
- Chapter 6. Goals, Policies, and Programs(PDF, 2MB)
- Appendix A. List of Housing Developers, Advocacy Organizations, and Housing Resources(PDF, 165KB)
- Appendix B. Planning and Building Fee Schedule(PDF, 210KB)
- HCD Certification Submittal Letter(PDF, 34KB)
- HCD Streamlined Review Checklists(PDF, 481KB)
Annual Reports
By April 1 of each year, the City of Emeryville must submit an annual report of their progress on the Housing Element.
The 2009-2014 Housing Element was adopted by the City Council and certified by the California Department of Housing and Community Development in 2010.
Appendices