On Friday January 27, 2023, the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) provided a comment letter on the City's Draft Housing Element (linked below). Staff will revise the draft based on HCD comments. The revised draft (anticipated to be complete in March) will then be posted on this website for public review and feedback. The revised draft will also be reviewed by the Planning Commission and City Council in March or April 2023. Additional revisions may be necessary following review by the public, Commission, and Council. A revised draft will then be sent to HCD for additional review and certification.  

On October 31, 2022, the City of Gilroy submitted the Gilroy Draft 2023 - 2031 Housing Element to the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) for review. This revised draft supersedes the 1st Draft that was released on September 12th, 2022.

We want to acknowledge and express our deep appreciation for the many members of the public who completed surveys, participated in focus groups, attended online and in-person community meetings, and provided comments and recommendations on our draft Housing Element. Twenty-five letters and emails were received before, during, and after the official public review period. In response, the City added 5 new programs to the Housing Element and modified 7 proposed programs. These program revisions are discussed in the introductory chapter of the Housing Element.

We anticipate that HCD will take the full 90 days to review our draft, and thus anticipate receiving comments at the end of January 2023. We will update this webpage as soon as new information becomes available. Although the revised draft has been sent to HCD for review, we still encourage the public to email comments to Cindy McCormick via: cindy.mccormick@cityofgilroy.org or by mail to 7351 Rosanna Street Gilroy CA 95020 (Attn: Cindy McCormick). REVISIONS are anticipated prior to sending a FINAL Draft to HCD.   

What's Next?

Although the Gilroy Draft 2023 - 2031 Housing Element has been sent to HCD for review, we still encourage the public to email comments to Cindy McCormick via: cindy.mccormick@cityofgilroy.org or by mail to 7351 Rosanna Street Gilroy CA 95020 (Attn: Cindy McCormick). REVISIONS are anticipated prior to sending a FINAL Draft to HCD. 

What other community outreach efforts have occurred?

Watch the October 17, 2022 City Council Meeting Video

The in-person City Council public hearing included a brief presentation on the Draft Housing Element along with a summary of public comments received following the 9/12/22 publication. Next steps, including submitting a revised draft to the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) was also discussed.

10-17-22 Public Hearing - This item begins at approximately 1-hour and 6-minutes into the video.

Watch the October 20, 2022 Planning Commission Meeting Video

The in-person Planning Commission public hearing included a brief presentation on the Draft Housing Element along with a summary of public comments received following the 9/12/22 publication. Next steps, including submitting a revised draft to the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) was also discussed.  

10-20-22 Public Hearing

Watch the September 27, 2022 Community Meeting Video

The virtual Community Outreach meeting included a high-level overview of the Draft Housing Element chapters and appendices, the overall goals and programs, and then a brief description of some of the programs that could potentially have the highest impact on housing production, removal of governmental constraints, and meeting special housing needs. The meeting also included a question and answer session.

9-27-22 Community Meeting

Watch the August 29, 2022 Community Meeting Video

The in-person public study session with the City Council and Planning Commission was held in the City Council Chambers at City Hall. This bilingual meeting included a summary of proposed housing programs to address the identified needs of the community and a map of properties that are currently vacant or underutilized that may provide an opportunity for redevelopment with new housing. The meeting included comments from the public and also included a question and answer session with the Council and Planning Commission.

8-29-22 Meeting Video

8-29-22 Study Session Slides (English)

8-29-22 Study Session Slides (Spanish)

Watch the June 28, 2022 Community Meeting Video

The virtual Community Outreach meeting provided a high-level overview of State requirements, discussed the City’s housing allocation from the State, and discussed strategies to comply with state law, including potential housing programs. The meeting also included a question and answer session.

June 28th Community Meeting Video (English)

June 28th Community Meeting Video (Spanish)

Watch the March 30, 2022 Community Meeting Video

The virtual Community Outreach meeting provided an introduction to the Housing Element update process and surveyed audience members on housing concerns and needs for the City of Gilroy. The meeting also included a question and answer session. 

March 30th Workshop Video (English)

March 30th Workshop Video (Spanish)

Watch the August 11, 2021 Community Meeting Video

The purpose of this initial regional  (virtual) Community Meeting (via "Let's Talk Housing") was to provide information on the Housing Element update process. Attendees also joined a virtual breakout session to discuss specific housing needs in Gilroy. Watch the 09/11/21 Community Meeting Video

What other informational public meetings have occurred? 

On October 25, 2021, the City Council reviewed a menu of potential housing policies for consideration during the 2023-2031 Housing Element Update. The Draft Housing Element incorporates these policies as programs for the 2023-2031 planning period, with timelines for implementation.  For more info, including the staff report and a link to the meeting recording, visit this link: http://gilroyca.iqm2.com/Citizens/Detail_Meeting.aspx?ID=2032   

On January 12, 2022, the Housing and Neighborhood Revitalization Committee reviewed an update on the Housing Element update process and other housing policy updates. For more info, including the staff report, visit this link:  http://www.ci.gilroy.ca.us/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01122022-1937?html=true

WHAT IS A HOUSING ELEMENT?

The Housing Element is one of seven required chapters (“elements”) in the General Plan.  The City's Housing Element outlines Gilroy’s goals, policies, and implementation programs for the preservation, conservation, improvement, and production of housing. The Housing Element also identifies the specific actions the City will take to address existing and future housing needs.

WHY ARE WE UPDATING THE HOUSING ELEMENT?

The State’s Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) requires cities to update their Housing Elements every eight years. The current Housing Element covers the period from January 2015 to January 2023. The next period is from 2023 to 2031. The update process is an opportunity to reflect on Gilroy's changing needs, resources, and conditions. An effective housing element provides the necessary conditions for developing and preserving an adequate supply of housing, including housing affordable to seniors, families, and low-income workers. While the Housing Element must address specific state requirements, it is ultimately a local plan and should reflect the priority of the community. 

WHAT WILL BE INCLUDED IN THE HOUSING ELEMENT?

A successful Housing Element will outline the strategies the City will take over the 2023 - 2031 planning period and include:

1.  Community outreach and feedback will be a vital component of Gilroy's Housing Element update process.
2.  An analysis of existing and projected housing needs and available resources to address the City’s housing needs. The Housing Element will address special-needs populations such as farmworkers, large families, female-headed households, seniors, and people with physical or developmental disabilities.
3.  A sites inventory of land suitable for housing development.
4.  An identification and analysis of governmental constraints to maintaining, improving, or developing housing for all income types and special needs populations. Examples of constraints include zoning and land use controls, fees, and permitting procedures.
5.  A program of policies and goals that include specific steps to achieving the goals. Examples include equal housing opportunities and strategies to preserve affordable units from conversion to market-rate units.

Additional Housing Information

• California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD)
• Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) 
• Housing Element Site Inventory Guidebook
• Let's Talk Housing Santa Clara (letstalkhousingscc.org)
• Affordable Housing 101 and FAQs
• Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing 
• Housing in Gilroy
• Housing Laws 101