Housing Elements Review 

Woodside most recently received their housing element review letter from the state department of Housing and Community Development. At an impressive 18 pages, this is the longest review letter HCD has yet sent to a city in San Mateo County. Many of the comments are similar to those we’ve seen in other review letters–not enough analysis of affirmatively furthering fair housing, policies and programs need clear dates and metrics, and more. Woodside’s letter is a tad longer than some others in large part because the city omitted a handful of legally required components of a housing element. 

However, most cities in San Mateo County that have received review letters from HCD have had similar comments to Woodside: Their housing elements provide so little analysis to justify their claims, HCD cannot even tell them that the housing elements’ claims are incorrect. Instead, HCD must at least give cities a chance to provide analysis justifying their housing elements’ claims before dictating that the analysis is insufficient and policy changes will be necessary. Cities cannot analyze their way to affordability, they need to implement new policies to make new affordable homes possible. 

On the other hand, San Bruno received a surprisingly extensive housing element review letter. Though HLC identified several areas of improvement for San Bruno’s first draft housing element in our initial public comment, we thought some sections were much better than other San Mateo jurisdictions. In particular, San Bruno’s affirmatively furthering fair housing (AFFH) analysis and associated programs to promote fair housing was much more specific and detailed than neighboring communities. Nonetheless, HCD wrote over a page of comments critiquing San Bruno’s AFFH, including a note that “The element must be revised to add or modify goals and actions based on the outcomes of a complete [AFFH] analysis.” The length of San Bruno’s letter speaks to the high standards of HCD’s review process. 

The County of San Mateo has also released a preliminary version of their housing element for planning commission review. Staff tell us that this version is very similar to the one that will be released for the 30-day review period. (Check here for a refresher on the housing element timeline). We’re still working on our review, but we’ll have comments to share in the coming weeks. 

Everyone in San Mateo County, whether you’re on incorporated or unincorporated land, has an interest in the County’s housing element. That’s because the County contributes Measure K funding to almost every affordable housing development that occurs within its borders. Therefore, the County’s affordable housing strategies and vision impacts every city. 

For the first time since May 2022, we do not have any first draft housing elements available for their 30-day public review period. However, we have updates on the status of other housing elements:

• Redwood City has submitted their second draft housing element to HCD, the first city in San Mateo County to do so. The Redwood City Pulse reports on HLC’s perspective.
• Colma, San Mateo, Foster City, San Bruno, and Woodside have all received review letters from HCD. None have yet released a second draft for public review. 
• Menlo Park, Atherton, Portola Valley, Belmont, South San Francisco, Brisbane, Hillsborough, and, most recently, San Carlos have all submitted first draft housing elements to HCD and are awaiting review. Millbrae is still making revisions to their first draft before initial submission. And Atherton’s letter is due on 10/31, HALLOWEEN. Will their letter have spooky surprises?

Keep up to date on housing elements around the county with HLC’s housing element tracking sheet. 

✧Redwood City Planning Commission Meeting - Transit District✧

On Tuesday, October 25th at 6 pm, your leaders on the Redwood City Planning Commission will be making a decision on the Subsequent Environmental Impact Report (SEIR) and changes to the Downtown Precise Plan. A “Yes” vote will take the City one step closer to making Sequoia Station a reality - bringing up to 1,100 (20% affordable) homes to Redwood City! 

This is your chance to let your leaders know that you want more homes for your community members. Make it happen and join your neighbors to voice your support!

Here’s what you’ll need to log into the meeting:

✧Menlo Park - Willow Village✧

Your leaders on the Menlo Park Planning Commission will be holding a discussion on the Willow Village proposal by Signature Development on Monday (10/24) at 7 pm. 

This proposal will include a partnership with Mercy Housing, a nonprofit with over 40 years of experience building and operating affordable (including senior) homes throughout the region, has been selected to build and manage 120  Very Low-Income and Extremely-Low Income  senior homes. In addition, Signature Properties will provide 200 inclusionary homes and make a $5 million contribution to Menlo Park’s affordable housing fund.  

You now have an opportunity to let your leaders know that you want more affordable, and senior, homes in your city! Take action now by:

1. Sending a letter by 12 pm Monday (10/24)
   1.  Feel free to add a personal touch in the message box!

OR

2. Joining your community members on Zoom to make a public comment in support! For your reference, here's the relevant login information for the 10/24 Planning Commission meeting:

Meeting Start Time: 7:00 pm

Zoom: https://zoom.us/join

Meeting ID: 871 4022 8110

Dial In: (669) 900-6833 

Press *9 to raise hand to speak

Please email Ken at kchan@hlcsmc.org for more details or if you have any questions.

Housing Leadership Day is today!

Check out live updates on our Instagram @housingsanmateocounty.  Thank you to everyone - members, attendees, staff, volunteers, sponsors, speakers, and workshop conveners for making this conference below! 

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