Draft Housing Element
Introduction - Purpose and Content of Housing Element
 
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Introduction
- Purpose and Content of Housing Element
- Community Context
- State Requirements
- Data Sources and Methodology
- Summary of Findings and Policies
- Public Participation
- General Plan Consistency
Community Profile
- Population and Household Characteristics
- Housing Stock Characteristics
- Employment Trends
- Special Housing Needs
- Analysis of Assisted Housing Projects At-Risk
- Opportunities for Energy Conservation
- Future Housing Needs
Resources and Constraints
  Available Land to Accommodate Housing
- Funding and Administrative Resources
- Constraints
Strategy
- Introduction
- Evaluation of Achievements (1993 Housing Element)
- Goals and Policies
- Implementation Programs
- Quantified Objectives
 
 

The Housing Element of the General Plan is designed to provide the City with a coordinated and comprehensive strategy for promoting the production of safe, decent, and affordable housing within the community. A priority of both State and local governments, Government Code Section 65580 states the intent of creating housing elements:

The availability of housing is of vital statewide importance, and the early attainment of decent housing and a suitable living environment for every California family is a priority of the highest order.

According to state law, the Housing Element has two main purposes:

(1) To provide an assessment of both current and future housing needs and constraints in meeting these needs;and
(2) To provide a strategy that establishes housing goals, policies, and programs.            

Beyond State law requirements, Grass Valley has areas of special priority that provide additional purpose to the Housing Element. The unique conditions and market forces in play in the local housing market require that the Housing Element focus on additional concerns, such as the high proportion of rental homes in the City versus the rest of the County, the lower average income of households versus other cities in the area, and environmental constraints to accommodating additional housing at higher densities due to topography and other factors. The State-mandated concerns and the local concerns combine to set the foundation upon which this Housing Element is built.

The Housing Element is a five-year plan for the 2003-2009 period, which differs from other General Plan elements, which cover the period of 1999-2020. The Housing Element serves as an integrated part of the General Plan, but is updated more frequently to ensure its relevancy and accuracy. The Housing Element identifies strategies and programs that focus on:

  • Matching housing supply with need;
  • Maximizing housing choice throughout the community;
  • Assisting in the provision of affordable housing;
  • Removing governmental and other constraints to housing investment; and
  • Promoting fair and equal housing opportunities.

The Housing Element consists of the following major components:

  • A profile and analysis of the City's demographics, housing characteristics, and existing and future housing needs (Chapter 2).
  • A review of the resources and constraints to housing production and maintenance. Resources include land available for new construction, as well as financial and administrative resources available for housing. Constraints include potential market, governmental, and environmental limitations to meeting the City's identified housing needs (Chapter 3).
  • A statement of the Housing Plan to address the City's identified housing needs, including an assessment of past accomplishments, and a formulation of housing goals, policies and programs (Chapter 4)