Housing Element

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What is a Housing Element? The Housing Element is a mandatory element, or chapter, of the General Plan that primarily addresses the housing needs of unincorporated Santa Clara County. Housing Element law requires local governments to adequately plan to meet their existing and projected housing needs, including their share of the Regional Housing Needs Allocation. To effectively plan for developing and preserving an adequate supply of housing, local jurisdictions must first understand the housing needs in their communities.

A Housing Element must be updated on an eight-year cycle or as otherwise determined by the California Department of Housing and Community Development. The County’s current Housing Element extends to 2022.