Every eight years, our cities and regional governments are required by state law to create a blueprint for housing development in concert with the California Department of Housing and Community Development. This process is called the Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA).
In 2023, the current (5th) cycle will end, and the 6th cycle will begin. Each cycle spans eight years and the 6th covers 2023-2030. LandWatch participated heavily in the allocation process for this 6th cycle – and came away with a big win.
In February, the Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments (AMBAG) voted to adopt a methodology that LandWatch promoted for the 6th cycle. By a vote of 18-5, AMBAG representatives from each city in Monterey and Santa Cruz counties selected “Option Z.”
Option Z is the plan that best meets LandWatch’s objectives of fostering climate-friendly, city-centered development rather than poorly planned projects away from cities. Our goals included allocating more units in “high-opportunity” areas within cities, that is, areas “whose characteristics have been shown by research to support positive economic, educational, and health outcomes for low-income families—particularly long-term outcomes for children.”
Each jurisdiction’s housing element must lay out plans and policies to achieve the RHNA housing numbers (page 84) adopted by AMBAG between 2023 and 2030, addressing climate impacts and fair housing practices more than ever before. As part of RHNA, the housing element for each jurisdiction is revised through a public process.
HNA Numbers
- Carmel-By-The-Sea – 349
- Del Rey Oaks – 184
- Gonzales – 1,266
- Greenfield – 730
- King City – 702
- Marina – 685
- Monterey – 3,654
- Pacific Grove – 1,125
- Salinas- 6,674
- Sand City – 260
- Seaside – 616
- Soledad – 724
- Unincorporated Monterey – 3,326
