League of California Cities Annual Conference & Expo, Sacramento Convention Center
September 19, 2013, 2:00 pm
HOUSING ELEMENTS: BEWARE OF WHAT YOU PROMISE
By December 31, 2015, the next round of housing elements will be prepared, with most due between October 2013 and October 2014. In this cycle there will be more pressure to adopt on time, because, in most regions, any city that fails to adopt its housing element within 120 days of the due date must adopt a housing element every four years rather than every eight.
This presentation will focus on recent litigation and new statutory requirements related to implementation of housing element programs. In particular, it will discuss claims being made in recent ‘failure to implement’ suits, preventive measures, and possible defenses. City attorneys can be proactive in preventing consultants and staff from making promises they won’t be able to fulfill. In addition, the presentation will discuss recent changes in HCD policy in reviewing housing elements, and fair housing claims made in connection with housing element litigation.