Housing Element Update

The City of La Mesa has completed an update to the City’s primary housing policy document, the Housing Element of the General Plan, in accordance with California law. La Mesa's Housing Element for the 6th Cycle Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) covers the eight-year period from April 2021 to April 2029.

Housing Element

Revised June 27, 2023

What is the Housing Element?

The Housing Element is a State-mandated policy document within the La Mesa General Plan that provides direction for the implementation of various programs to meet existing and projected future housing needs for all income levels within the City. The Housing Element provides policies, programs, and actions that accommodate growth, produce opportunity for the development of new housing units, preserve existing housing stock, and assist the existing population.

Background

The City’s Housing Element (5th Cycle) was adopted by the City Council in 2013 and certified by the State Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD). The 5th Cycle Housing Element covers the planning period from April 2013 through April 2021. The City’s 5th Cycle Housing Element has been recognized by the California State Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) as an exemplary Housing Element.

Process

To comply with State law, the City’s Housing Element must be updated to ensure the City’s policies and programs can accommodate estimated housing growth need identified in the San Diego County Association of Government’s RHNA allocation for the 2021-2029 planning period. After a community workshop in October 2020, the draft 6th Cycle Housing Element was presented to the Planning Commission for their comments. The draft Housing Element was updated to address comments received and presented to HCD for preliminary review for compliance with state law. HCD comments were incorporated into the draft document submitted for adoption by the City Council. The City Council adopted the 6th Cycle Housing Element, along with required environmental review documents, on July 27, 2021. Technical revisions subsequently requested by HCD have been completed. 

The City updated the HCD-recognized 5th Cycle Housing Element to comply with changes in State law since its adoption and to address the 6th Cycle RHNA. The City has engaged Veronica Tam & Associates to prepare the Housing Element and conduct the required environmental review. The update process followed the schedule below.

Community Workshop
The City conducted a workshop via Zoom on Thursday, October 15, 2020. During the workshop, the City provided an overview of the Housing Element requirements and update process. Participants were encouraged to discuss topics such as housing problems in La Mesa, underserved groups, and priority housing needs in the community. Participants were able to submit specific questions for the City and received live responses to their issues and concerns, and requests for information and clarifications. You can view a recording of the workshop here: October 15 Workshop Video

 Planning Commission
The draft Housing Element was presented to the Planning Commission for their comments and to receive further public input on February 10, 2021. The agenda and staff report are available on the "Agendas" webpage. 

Submit Draft Housing Element to HCD
The City’s consultant in coordination with staff updated the draft Housing Element to address the comments received from the community and the Planning Commission. The updated draft was then presented to HCD for preliminary review.

City Council
The final draft was presented to the City Council for adoption along with environmental review determination, consisting of a Negative Declaration. The City Council hearing to adopt the draft Housing Element occurred on July 27, 2021.

Contact Us

For more information about the City’s Housing Element update and process, please contact the Community Development Department at 619-667-1177 or planning@cityoflamesa.us.