Locally Adopted Housing Element 2023-2031

Locally Adopted Housing Element 2023-2031

Proposed Revisions to the Town of Ross May 31, 2023, Locally Adopted

Housing Element

Town of Ross Community Members and Interested Citizens:

The Town of Ross has been actively engaged in the State mandated process of updating its Housing Element since April of 2022. The Housing Element is one of seven base required elements of the Town’s General Plan, which is a community’s comprehensive guide for future growth and development.

The Housing Element includes policies and programs to address the housing needs of a local community. Currently, the State of California mandates local jurisdictions, like the Town of Ross, to update their Housing Elements every eight years. The State of California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) has specific guidelines, criteria, and timelines for updating Housing Elements. Additionally, HCD staff review locally adopted Housing Elements to assure that State requirements are satisfied for their actual certification by State HCD.

This current cycle of Housing Element Updates is referred to as the 6^th cycle, 2023-2031. The assigned target for new housing units for Ross during this period is 111 units. This is a very rigorous and complex process. The Town of Ross contracted with the firm of Dyett & Bhatia Urban and Regional Planners to assist with and help manage its 6^th cycle Housing Element Update process.

The Town of Ross Town Council adopted the Housing Element Update on May 31, 2023, and provided it to HCD for certification. Since then, Town staff and the Town’s consultant have worked iteratively with HCD staff to address comments from the State and ensure the document adequately addresses the requirements of California law. HCD formally requested additional information and clarifications be incorporated into the Housing Element by way of a letter sent to the Town on August 15, 2023. In response, the adopted Element was revised and resubmitted to HCD on November 15, 2023, and the Town Council amended the Element to incorporate revisions on December 8, 2023. HCD responded with a letter on January 11, 2024, requesting further information and clarifications be incorporated into the Housing Element. The Revised Housing Element dated April 9, 2024, responds to the latest HCD comment letter and is available on the Town website for public review (see link below). Please provide your comments regarding the proposed revisions to Roberta Feliciano, Town of Ross, by Thursday April 18, 2024 in writing to P.O. Box 320, Ross, California 94957, or rfeliciano@townofross.org.

Following close of the 7-day review period on the April 2024 revisions, the Revised Housing Element will be formally submitted to HCD for review and certification. It is anticipated, based on consultations with HCD staff, that within 60 days HCD will provide a letter finding the Town’s 2023-31 Housing Element in substantial compliance, contingent upon the Ross Town Council adopting the revised Housing Element. 

To view, click the links below.

1. Proposed Revisions to the Town of Ross May 31, 2023, Locally Adopted Housing Element: April 9, 2024 Revised HE 

Prior Versions

a. Proposed Revisions to the Town of Ross May 31, 2023, Locally Adopted Housing Element: January 3, 2024 Revised HE

b. Proposed Revisions to the Town of Ross May 31, 2023, Locally Adopted Housing Element: October 30, 2023 Revised HE

c. Locally Adopted Town of Ross Housing Element dated 5/31/23: Volume 1 (see below)

d. Locally Adopted Town of Ross Housing Element dated 5/31/23: Volume 2 (Appendices) (see below)