Housing Element Update

Due to scheduling requirements dictated by State law, the Housing Element Update will occur on a separate track from the other General Plan elements.  The Housing Element Update is expected to take approximately 12 months to complete.  Key Housing Element tasks are as follows:

• Housing Needs and Constraints (Winter and Spring 2009): City staff and consultants will assess existing population and housing characteristics, housing costs/affordability and constraints on housing development and will evaluate the effectiveness of the existing Housing Element.
• Housing Stakeholder Meeting (February 2009):  Housing developers, affordable housing advocates, city residents and other stakeholders will be invited to a Steering Committee meeting to provide input on housing issues in Novato. 
• Housing Sites Inventory Study Session (March 2009):  The City Council and Planning Commission will meet for a joint study session to review preliminary sites to accommodate the City’s fair share allocation of housing for all income levels.
• Draft Goals, Policies and Actions (May 2009): The Steering Committee will meet to review draft goals, policies and actions for the Housing Element.
• Public Review Draft Housing Element (August 2009):  Residents will have the opportunity to provide input on the draft Housing Element at a joint City Council/Planning Commission study session in the summer of 2009.
• Final Housing Element (Fall 2009):  The final Housing Element is expected to be completed and adopted by the City Council in the fall of 2009.  Residents will have the opportunity to comment on the draft final Housing Element at two City Council hearings.