ONLINE SURVEY

Please take a short online survey. We would like to know what you think about affordable housing, housing conditions, senior population needs, and other housing-related concerns for the City of Gilroy. 

English: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GilroyHousingElementSurvey

Spanish: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ElementodeViviendadeGilroy

What other community outreach efforts have occurred?

Watch the June 28th Community Meeting Video

A Virtual Community Outreach meeting was held on June 28, 2022 to provide a high-level overview of State requirements, discuss the City’s housing allocation from the State, and discuss 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 30th Community Meeting Video

A Virtual Community Outreach meeting was held on March 30, 2022 to provide an introduction to the Housing Element update process and survey 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 first (virtual) Community Meeting was held on August 11th. The purpose of this meeting was to provide information on the update process. Attendees also joined a virtual breakout session to discuss 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 City's consultant will consider these potential policies as part of their background analysis. The analysis will be presented to the Council and the public at a future meeting (date TBD). 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

How else can I get involved?

The City hired a consultant team to lead the community outreach effort, including online surveys, stakeholder interviews, virtual workshops, and more.  The update process provides a variety of opportunities for community involvement, including:

Potential Housing Sites (coming soon)

Government Code Section 65583(a)(3) requires local governments to prepare an inventory of land suitable for residential development, including vacant sites and sites having the potential for redevelopment. The Housing Element must also include an analysis of the relationship of zoning and public facilities and services to these sites. The inventory of land suitable for residential development is used to identify sites that can be developed for housing within the planning period.

1. Adequate Sites Alternative
2. Analysis of Sites and Zoning
3. Inventory of Suitable Land
4. Accessory Dwelling Units
5. Opportunities for Energy Conservation
6. Zoning for a Variety of Housing Types

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