The City Council adopted the 2021-2029 Housing Element on November 15, 2022.  On January 17, 2023, after the City made some minor technical changes to the Housing Element, HCD issued a conditional approval letter (HCD letter) which delayed full certification of the Housing Element until the City completed the rezoning described in Program 6 (Provision of Adequate Sites).  The required rezoning was completed on May 7, 2024 and, thus, the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) issued a letter officially certifying the City's 2021-2029 Housing Element on July 15th. The final version of the Housing Element can be viewed here.

HOUSING ELEMENT IMPLEMENTATION STATUS

City staff is currently working on implementation of the required zone changes and other Housing Element programs.  

• Housing Element Annual Progress Report. On March 19, 2024, City staff presented the 2023 Housing Element Annual Progress Report (APR) which details the status of all the Housing Element programs.  The staff report and 2023 APR can be viewed on the Agendas and Minutes page of the City website. 
• Rezoning. On May 7, 2024, the City Council adopted zone changes establishing a Mixed-Use Overlay and a Housing Overlay.  The staff report can be viewed on the Agendas and Minutes page of the City website. Additional information regarding the Housing Element implementation can be found on the City's Housing Division webpage and under future events below.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING STRATEGY STATUS

One of the priorities in the Housing Element implementation process, is to prepare a comprehensive Affordable Housing Strategic Plan to supplement and build upon the Housing Element and help the City meet its future housing goals.  A draft strategy was presented to Council on June 23, 2022.  A revised Strategic Plan was presented to Council and adopted on December 19, 2023. The City Council staff report can be found on the Agendas & Minutes page on City website. As of July 15, 2024, the City has entered into a contract with a consulting firm RSG, Inc. to assist with implementation of the Strategic Plan. The adopted Affordable Housing Strategic Plan can be viewed here.

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Future Events

None scheduled at this time.

Past Events

October 10, 2024 - Housing Community Meeting

On October 10, 2024, the City held a Housing Community Meeting during the regularly scheduled Planning Commission meeting. Staff will provided an update on the 2021-2029 Housing Element implementation, answered questions, and received input on housing-related topics.  The staff presentation for the meeting is available on the Agendas & Minutes page and here.  In addition, video of the meeting can be viewed here.

May 7, 2024 - City Council meeting

On May 7, 2024, the City Council held a second meeting on the implementation of Housing Element Program No. 6 (Provision of Adequate Sites) and Program No. 9 (El Segundo Municipal Code Amendments) and adopted an ordinance implementing the Zone Change and Zone Text Amendments. The staff report for this item is available on the Agendas & Minutes page on the City website and video of the meeting can be viewed here.

April 16, 2024 - City Council meeting

On April 16, 2024, the City Council considered a public hearing item on the implementation of Housing Element Program No. 6 (Provision of Adequate Sites) and Program No. 9 (El Segundo Municipal Code Amendments).  The item included a General Plan Amendment, Zone Change, and Zone Text Amendments to establish two new high-density overlay zones, rezone nine sites to Mixed-Use Overlay (MU-O) and Housing Overlay (H-O), and amendments to the Municipal Code to streamline and facilitate construction of affordable multiple-family housing.  At the conclusion of the public hearing, the City Council approved the General Plan Amendment and adopted an Addendum to the General Plan Environmental Impact Report for the project, which is available for review here.  The City Council also introduced and scheduled a second reading for adoption of an ordinance implementing the Zone Change and Zone Text Amendments. The staff report for this item is available on the Agendas & Minutes page on the City website and video of the meeting can be viewed here. 

March 28, 2024 - Planning Commission meeting

On March 28, 2024, the Planning Commission considered a public hearing item on the implementation of Housing Element Program No. 6 (Provision of Adequate Sites) and Program No. 9 (El Segundo Municipal Code Amendments).  The item included a General Plan Amendment, Zone Change, and Zone Text Amendments to establish two new high-density overlay zones, rezone nine sites to Mixed-Use Overlay (MU-O) and Housing Overlay (H-O), and amendments to the Municipal Code to streamline and facilitate construction of affordable multiple-family housing. At the conclusion of the hearing, the Planning Commission adopted a resolution recommending City Council approval of the proposed amendments. The public hearing notice including a map of the sites to be rezoned can be viewed here. The Planning Commission staff report and presentation can be found on the Agendas & Minutes page on the City website.  Video of the meeting can be viewed here.

March 13, 2024 - Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee (DEI)

On March 13, 2024, City staff updated the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee on the implementation of the City's Housing Element. The staff presentation at the DEI Committee meeting can be viewed here.

March 19, 2024 - City Council meeting

On March 19, 2024, the City Council received and filed the 2023 Housing Element Annual Progress Report (APR) which details the status of all the Housing Element programs.  The staff report and 2023 APR can be viewed on the Agendas and Minutes page of the City website.  

December 14, 2023 - Housing Community Meeting

On December 14, 2023, the City held a Housing Community Meeting during the regularly scheduled Planning Commission meeting. Staff provided an update on the 2021-2029 Housing Element implementation, answered questions, and received input on housing-related topics.  The staff presentation at the meeting can be viewed here.  Video of the meeting can be viewed here.

October 25, 2023 - Senior Citizen Housing Corporation Board meeting

On October 25, 2023, City staff provided an update the Senior Citizen Housing Corporation Board on the implementation of the City's Housing Element.  The staff presentation can be viewed here. 

March 21, 2023 - City Council meeting

On March 21, 2023, City staff presented the 2022 Housing Element Annual Progress Report (APR).  The staff report and APR can be viewed on the Agendas and Minutes page of the City website.

January 17, 2023 - HCD conditional approval

On October 27, 2022, City staff presented a revised 2021-2029 Housing Element to the Planning Commission for consideration at a public hearing.  After the Planning Commission considered the revised Housing Element it voted unanimously to recommend that the City Council adopt it.  The Planning Commission agenda and staff report is posted on the homepage of the city website.  The revised 2021-2029 Housing Element can be viewed here.   

June 23, 2022 - City Council meeting /presentation (Affordable Housing Strategy)

On June 23, 2022, the City Council considered a draft of the Affordable Housing Strategy presented by City staff and Many Mansions, the City's Affordable Housing Services Provider. Those wishing to review the meeting agenda and staff presentation can find it on the City website at www.elsegundo.org.  On the homepage, click on Agendas and Minutes to find the City Council June 23, 2022 agenda, including the presentation on the Affordable Housing Strategy.

April 8, 2022 - HCD comment letter (Housing Element update)

On April 8, 2022, HCD completed its review of the adopted Housing Element and requested revisions before it can be certified.  The HCD comment letter can be viewed here.

March 24, 2022 - Planning Commission meeting / public workshop (Affordable housing Strategy)

On March 24, 2022, the Planning Commission held a special study session and public workshop to discuss the City's Affordable Housing Strategy.   Those wishing to review the meeting agenda and staff presentation can find it on the City website at www.elsegundo.org.  On the homepage, click on Agendas and Minutes to find the Planning Commission March 24, 2022 agenda, including the presentation on the Affordable Housing Strategy.

February 1, 2022 - City Council hearing 

On February 1, 2022, the City Council adopted the 2021-2029 Housing Element at a public hearing held via Zoom.  The adopted Housing Element was submitted to the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) for review and Certification.  

January 13, 2022 - Planning Commission

On Thursday, January 13, 0222, the Planning Commission held a public hearing to consider a revised draft 2021-2029 Housing Element.  The revised draft 2021-2029 Housing Element can be viewed here.  The Planning Commission agenda and staff report for the January 13, 2022 hearing can be viewed here.  At the conclusion of the public hearing, the Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend City Council approval of the 2021-2029 housing Element.

December 8, 2021 - HCD review

On December 8, 2021, HCD completed its review and sent the City a comment letter requesting corrections and clarifications.   The HCD letter can be viewed here.  

November 26, 2021 - Draft Initial Study/Negative Declaration

On Friday, November 26, 2021, the City of El Segundo released a draft Initial Study/Negative Declaration (IS/ND) on the potential environmental impacts of the draft 2021-2029 Housing Element.  The IS/ND will be available to the public for review and the City will accept comments on the IS/ND for the period starting on November 26, 2021 and ending at 5 PM on December 27, 2021.  The Notice of Intent (NOI) to adopt an Initial Study/Negative Declaration as well the draft Initial Study/Negative Declaration is posted below: 

Notice of Intent to adopt an Initial Study/Negative Declaration

2021-2029 Housing Element - Initial Study/Negative Declaration

The public may submit comments and questions regarding the draft Is/ND by emailing Principal Planner, Paul Samaras at psamaras@elsegundo.org.

October 11, 2021 

On Monday, October 11, 2021, the City of El Segundo submitted the draft 2021-2029 Housing Element to the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) for review.  Comments from HCD are anticipated by December 10, 2021, at which point the City will prepare a final draft for Planning Commission and City Council review.  Please click on this link to review the draft 2021-2029 Housing Element that was submitted to HCD.  If you have comments or questions, you can email Principal Planner, Paul Samaras at psamaras@elsegundo.org. 

 September 30, 2021 

On September 30, 2021, the City held a Special Planning Commission on the draft Housing Element and obtain feedback from the public.  Those who missed the meeting can review the draft Housing Element presented at the meeting on this link, or they can view video of the meeting on this link. 

The Housing Element is one of nine state-mandated elements of the City’s General Plan. The Housing Element identifies the City’s housing needs and conditions, and establishes goals, objectives and policies that form the basis of the City’s vision and strategy for enhancing and preserving the community’s character, and expanding housing opportunities for all El Segundo’s community members. The element also contains in-depth analysis and evaluation of the City’s population, economics, household size, housing stock, housing programs, and regulations.

State Law establishes that each city accommodate its fair share of affordable housing as an approach to distributing housing needs throughout the state. State Housing Element law also recognizes that in order for the private sector to address housing needs and demand, local governments must adopt land-use plans and implement regulations that provide opportunities for, and do not unduly constrain, housing development by the private sector. State housing laws regarding Housing Elements are found in the California Government Code Sections 65580-65589. Unlike the other mandatory general plan elements, the housing element is required to be updated every eight years. It is also subject to detailed statutory requirements and mandatory review and approval by the State Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD).

According to State law, the Housing Element must:

• Provide goals, policies, quantified objectives and scheduled programs to preserve, improve and develop housing;

• Identify and analyze existing and projected housing needs for all economic segments of the community;

• Identify adequate sites that are zoned and available within the 8-year housing cycle to meet the city’s fair share of regional housing needs at all income levels;
• Be certified (approved) by the State Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) as complying with state law; and,

• Be internally consistent with other parts of the General Plan (and meeting this requirement is critical to having a legally adequate General

  Plan).

  WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF UPDATING A HOUSING ELEMENT?

  Maintaining a State-compliant Housing Element ensures that El Segundo is eligible for critical state and federal funds that require a certified Housing Element by HCD. Jurisdictions that do not maintain a compliant Housing Element are at risk of significant repercussions, including:

• Potential loss of local land use control;

• Carryover of unfulfilled allocations, increasing the total number of housing units that the City is responsible for accommodating;
• Ineligibility for various State-administered funds, including infrastructure, parks, housing, and planning funds: and,
• The City’s entire General Plan becomes vulnerable to legal challenge.

WHAT IS A REGIONAL HOUSING NEEDS ASSESSMENT (RHNA)?

The Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) is mandated by State law to quantify the need for housing throughout the State. This informs the local planning process to address existing and future housing need resulting from projected state-wide growth in population, employment, and households. The Housing Element Update must address the housing needs identified by the RHNA prepared by the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) for El Segundo.

As the Council of Governments (or regional planning agency), SCAG is responsible for overseeing the RHNA process for the Southern California region, which encompasses six counties (Imperial, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, and Ventura) and 191 cities in an area covering more than 38,000 square miles. SCAG is currently overseeing the 6th cycle RHNA for the 2021-2029 planning period.

El Segundo has been provided a final RHNA allocation for 492 units to accommodate an estimated growth need at various income levels. The Housing Element must provide sites to accommodate this estimated growth at each income level. The final RHNA allocation for El Segundo, as adopted by the SCAG Regional Council on March 4, 2021 (and approved by HCD on March 21, 2021), for El Segundo is as follows:

PROJECT TIMELINE

September 30, 2021 - Special Planning Commission / Community meeting

October 13-15, 2021 - Submittal of draft Housing Element to HCD for review 

December 2021/January 2022 - Finalize draft Housing Element

January 13 2022 - Planning Commission public hearing 

February 1, 2022 - City Council public hearing for Housing Element adoption

February 11, 2022 - Submit adopted Housing Element to HCD for Certification

April 8, 2022 - HCD completed its review and requested revisions to the Housing Element

October 27, 2022 - Planning Commission public hearing on revised Housing Element

November 15, 2022 - City Council public hearing on revised housing Element

November 2022 - Submit adopted revised Housing Element to HCD for Certification

January 17, 2023 - HCD issued letter conditionally approving the Housing Element

May 7, 2024 - City Council adopted the rezoning required in Housing Element Program No. 6

July 15, 2024 - HCD issued letter officially certifying the Housing Element

RESOURCES AND DOCUMENTS

• City of El Segundo - General Plan
• City of El Segundo - Land Use Element
• Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG): Detailed information related to Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA)
• California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD)
• Housing Element Update Outreach presentation
• Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration for the 2021-2029 Housing Element
• Draft 2021-2029 Housing Element (1-7-2022)
• Revised 2021-2029 Housing Element (10-18-2022)
• Final 2021-2029 Housing Element (1-17-2023)
• Affordable Housing Strategic Plan (12-19-2023)
• Addendum to the General Plan Environmental Impact Report
• HCD Certification Letter Dated July 15, 2024

For more information or questions about the Housing Element Update and the City's Affordable Housing Strategy, please email or call Paul Samaras, Principal Planner, at psamaras@elsegundo.org and (310) 524-2340