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Housing Element
Chino’s Housing Element Update: Ensuring Our Future Housing Needs Are Met
As our community grows, so does the need for housing that meets the diverse needs of residents in Chino. To ensure a balanced approach to development, California requires every city to adopt a Housing Element as part of their General Plan—a framework for local growth, safety, and livability. This vital component helps Chino identify housing needs, locate available land for future homes, and establish policies that promote both housing diversity and affordability.
Why Is the Housing Element So Important?
Think of the Housing Element as a roadmap for our housing future. It not only helps us plan for growth but also keeps local control over development. By adopting a certified Housing Element, Chino is meeting state requirements while preserving local zoning standards, which reduces the risk of costly fines or unwanted development. Without this document, the City would face challenges ranging from state penalties of up to $50,000 per month to a potential “Builder’s Remedy” that allows developers to override local zoning for projects that may not fit our community’s character.
- What happens if Chino doesn’t have a certified Housing Element?
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Without a certified Housing Element, Chino could face monthly fines up to $50,000, state restrictions on building permits, and loss of grant funds. Additionally, under the Builder’s Remedy, developers could bypass local rules to build higher-density projects on non-zoned properties, intended to encourage compliance with state housing laws.
- What is the Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) Process?
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The RHNA process is mandated by state law to quantify projected housing needs within a community. The process informs Chino's planning processes by identifying future housing need as a result of projected population, employment and household growth. For the 2021 to 2029 Planning Period, The City of Chino is allocated an estimated 6,978 units to accommodate growth by income category. The Housing Element must provide sites to accommodate this estimated growth.
2021 to 2029 City of Chino RHNA Housing Needs Allocation
Income Category Percent of Median Family Income Income Range: Minimum Income Range: Maximum RHNA Allocation (Housing Units) Very Low Income 0 to 50% N/A $37,650 2,113 Low Income 51 to 80% $37,651 $60,240 1,284 Moderate Income 81 to 120% $61,241 $90,360 1,203 Above Moderate Income More than 120% $90,361 More than $91,361 2,378 Total N/A N/A N/A 6,978
Note: Income range is based on the 2020 Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Median Family Income (MFI) for San Bernardino County of $75,300. - What did Measure Y do?
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Measure Y permitted the use of a “two overlay” strategy to address the RHNA requirement outlined in the City’s 2021 - 2029 Housing Element Update. This strategy keeps existing zoning of properties in place but adds the option to utilize the proposed overlays to allow for housing if the property owner chooses.
- What is a Housing Element?
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The Housing Element is a city-initiated policy document that identifies policies and programs to meet existing and projected future housing needs for all economic segments in the City of Chino. The 2021 to 2029 Housing Element identifies specific actions to be taken over the planning period to address local housing needs. Key features of the Housing Element include:
- Population and housing profile of Chino
- Evaluation of housing constraints and resources
- Evaluation of existing housing programs and policies
- Identification of sites appropriate to accommodate housing at all income levels
- Develop policies, programs and quantified objectives
- Why is the City updating the Housing Element?
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The City of Chino is required by state law to update its Housing Element every eight years. The current adopted Housing Element is for the 2013 to 2021 planning period. The City is now planning for the 2021 to 2029 planning period. Importance of updating the Housing Element:
- Ensures the City complies with state housing laws
- Allows the City to become eligible for state grants and funding sources
- Demonstrates the ability to meet future housing growth need
- Allows the community to further engage in the planning process
- What is included in the update process?
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The update process is community-based and will include a variety of activities to interface with the Chino community. Key features include:
- Multiple opportunities for the community to provide input in the process, both virtually and in-person
- Comprehensive review of demographics in the community to reflect existing conditions
- Completion of adequate sites analysis to meet 2021 to 2029 Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA)
- Public hearings before the Planning Commission and City Council
Housing Element Update Documents
Additional Documents
Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) Comment Letters
6th Cycle (2021-2029) Housing Element Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 12/17/2019 | RFP # 20196001 Issued with a submission deadline of 01/23/2020 |
| 3/17/2020 | City Council awarded contract to Kimley-Horn |
| 10/20/2020 | City Council Meeting - RHNA Appeal |
| 1/19/2021 | City Council Meeting - Introduction of HE Update |
| 3/2/2021 | City Council Meeting - Status Update on HE |
| 3/16/2021 | City Council Workshop - Sites Analysis Workshop |
| 5/4/2021 | CC Subcommittee Meeting |
| 6/15/2021 | City Council Workshop - Sites Analysis Workshop #2 |
| 7/19/2021 | Planning Commission Meeting - HE Public Review Draft Update |
| 7/20/2021 | City Council Meeting - HE Draft Review |
| 12/6/2021 | Planning Commission Meeting - HE Update and Negative Declaration |
| 1/4/2022 | City Council Meeting - Approval of Negative Declaration & Adopt Housing Element (Resolution 2022-003) |
| 1/4/2022 | City Council Meeting - Initiate Ballot Measure (Reso 2022-006) |
| 5/16/2022 | Planning Commission Meeting - Measure Y Presentation |
| 6/7/2022 | Voters approved Measure Y |
| 10/4/2022 | City Council Meeting - Amend PSA with Kimley-Horn adding $25,000 |
| 10/17/2022 | Planning Commission Meeting - HE Update |
| 1/17/2023 | City Council Workshop - HE Zone Ordinance Amendments and Inclusionary Requirement for Affordable Housing |
| 1/17/2023 | City Council Meeting - Amendment to HE Update (Resolution 2023-003) |
| 3/6/2023 | Planning Commission Meeting - GPA, ZC & ZOA, EBPBSPA, MSSPA & ECSPA re Overlay Districts |
| 3/20/2023 | Planning Commission Meeting - GPA, ZC & ZOA, EBPBSPA, MSSPA & ECSPA re Overlay Districts |
| 4/4/2023 | City Council Meeting - GPA, ZOA, EBPBSPA; MSSPA; EBPSPA re Overlay Districts (Resolution 2023-014; 02023-008; 02023-009; Resolution 2023-015; Resolution 2023-016) |
| 4/18/2023 | City Council Meeting - Second Reading re Overlay Districts Ordinance |
| 12/20/2023 | Planning Commission Meeting - HE Amendment & ZOA re Overlay Districts to address HCD comments |
| 2/6/2024 | City Council Meeting - Amendment to HE Update (Resolution 2024-004; 02024-003) |
| 2/13/2024 | City Council Workshop - Proposed Amendments to the HE Update and Zoning Ordinance Amendments related to Overlay Districts |
| 2/20/2024 | City Council Meeting - Amendment to HE Update (Resolution 2024-004; 02024-003) |
| 10/8/2024 | City Council Study Session - HE Update and Zone Ordinance Amendment |
| 11/19/2024 | Chino City Council adopts 2021-2029 Housing Element |
| 12/26/2024 | State of California certifies Chino's 2021-2029 Housing Element |
July 13 Housing Element Workshop
1st Housing Element Virtual Workshop
For More Information
For more information contact Michael Hitz, AICP, Principal Planner by calling 909-334-3448.