The City of San Jose has begun the process to update its Housing Element, which is a part of the San Jose 2020 General Plan that addresses housing issues and provides a comprehensive policy direction for accommodating San Jose’s housing needs through 2014. Rapid growth in the San Francisco Bay Area region is expected to generate a need for 214,500 additional housing units between 2007 and 2014. The State of California requires each city and county to plan for its fair share of the regional housing needs.
 
San Jose’s share for 2007-2014 is 34,721 units, including 19,271 units that should be affordable. The Housing Element Update will build on the framework of current San Jose 2020 General Plan Major Strategies to encourage higher density infill development near job centers and transit options within urbanized areas of the City. The revised Housing Element will include specific policies and actions related to housing, including new construction and rehabilitation, workforce housing development, first-time homebuyer programs, housing for seniors, and others with special needs in San Jose.  A draft of the revised Housing Element will be presented to the San Jose City Council and Planning Commission in late 2008 and will then be submitted to the California Department of Housing and Community Development for certification by June 30, 2009.
 
As part of the process, a Community Meeting to discuss the Housing Element has been scheduled for Wednesday, August 27, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. in the City Hall Council Wing, Room 118-119.  The City invites all members of the public to attend and learn more about the Housing Element Update.  
 
Please park in the City Hall Garage via the entrance on Sixth Street. Parking validation will be provided.

Contact Us and Get Involved

For information about the Housing Element Update process please contact  Allen Tai in the Planning
Division at 408 535-7866 or by email at allen.tai@sanjoseca.gov 

For questions about housing affordability requirements and the City’s housing programs, please contact Wayne Chen in the City’s Housing Department at 408 975-4442 or by email at wayne.chen@sanjoseca.gov