San Mateo’s Updated Housing Element is Available for Public Review

 

The City’s Updated Housing Element, a state-mandated plan for how San Mateo can accommodate at least 7,015 new homes over the next eight years, has been revised in response to comments from the State Housing and Community development Department (HCD); and is available for second round of public review. The 2023-2031 Housing Element establishes goals, policies and programs to help address the City’s current and future housing needs. The second formal public review period is between December 30, 2022 and January 9, 2023. Following the public review period, the Planning Commission and City Council will hold public hearings to consider adoption of the Updated Housing Element.

How to Get Involved 

The Housing Element is available for public review at City Hall and posted online. 

Send written comments with subject line “Housing Element” 

• By email to: housing@cityofsanmateo.org  
• By mail to: Housing Manager, City of San Mateo, Planning Division, 330 West 20th Avenue, San Mateo, CA 94403 

• Online: on our Housing Element website 

Attend an upcoming public hearing:  

• Planning Commission – Tuesday, January 10 at 6 p.m. 
• City Council – Later in January, Date TBD 
  Meeting info will be posted on the Public Meeting Portal at least 72 hours in advance.

Background 

The State requires cities to plan for future growth by updating their Housing Elements every eight years. In this cycle, the City of San Mateo is required to demonstrate our zoning has enough capacity for at least 7,015 new housing units to meet our Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA). The Housing Element is the only element of our General Plan that is subject to State review and approval. 

Housing needs in the City are significant, especially for low- and middle-income households. These needs affect the entire community, but disproportionately impact our underrepresented and ethnically-diverse populations. Over the last year, we’ve conducted extensive community outreach to inform this Housing Element during 19 meetings, four surveys, two hearings, several study sessions, and numerous pop-up events. 

The plan articulates five goals to shape policy and programs moving forward: 

• Production: Facilitate the production and development of new housing at all income levels, especially affordable housing. 
• Preservation: Preserve existing housing that is affordable to lower- and middle-income residents. 
• Protection: Protect current residents to prevent displacement. 
• Promotion: Promote community engagement and public outreach to increase education and awareness.  
• Fair Housing: Ensure fair housing laws proactively protect residents: (Affirmatively further fair housing)