Senator Seyarto's housing legislation modifies the timeline for state-local consultation on regional housing needs, extending the required consultation period between the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) and most councils of governments from 26 to 38 months before scheduled housing element revisions.
The bill establishes a two-track timeline for the seventh revision cycle. Five specific councils of governments - including those in Humboldt, Lake, Mendocino, San Luis Obispo and San Diego counties - maintain the current 26-month consultation requirement. All other councils of governments must begin consultations with HCD at least 38 months before their revision deadline. For the eighth revision and beyond, the 38-month timeline applies uniformly to all regions.
The consultation process requires councils of governments to provide HCD with detailed regional data on household growth, overcrowding rates, vacancy rates, cost burden levels, and homelessness statistics. HCD then uses this information, along with Department of Finance population projections, to determine each region's existing and projected housing needs. Councils of governments may file objections to HCD's determinations within 30 days, proposing alternative calculations based on the agreed-upon methodology. The bill maintains current provisions preventing subsequent statutory changes from requiring revisions to final determinations once issued.
