The 2009 Housing Element has been adopted by the Planning Commission, approved by the Board of Supervisors, and signed into law by Mayor Ed Lee! The Planning Commission unanimously adopted the 2009 Housing Element on Thursday March 24th 2011. The Board of Supervisors approved the Element on June 21, 2011 and signed into law by Mayor Edwin Lee on June 29, 2011. The 2009 Housing Element will become effective on July 29, 2011. PART I: Data & Needs Analysis PDF 8.5 MB (Effective 7-29-2011)   PART II: Objectives & Policies PDF 5 MB (Effective 7-29-2011) Click here to download the Housing Element Implementing Programs. To review materials from the planning process, including earlier drafts please refer to the Related Documents page.

Project Summary

The Housing Element is the component of the City’s General Plan that provides a five year vision for housing. San Francisco, along with all municipalities, is required by state law to update the Housing Element of the General Plan every five years.

The State of California Housing Element law, enacted in 1969, mandates that local governments adequately plan to meet the existing and projected housing needs of all economic segments of the community. The law acknowledges that, in order for the private market to adequately address housing needs and demand, local governments must adopt land use plans and regulatory systems which provide opportunities for, and do not unduly constrain, housing development.

Environmental Review

The Planning Department has completed an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) on the 2009 Housing Element. The Final EIR is available for review or purchase at the Planning Department, Planning Information Counter at 1660 Mission, and at several public libraries, and can be reviewed online here.

Additional Environmental Review materials can be found here.

Next Steps

The Approved 2009 Housing Element Update has been submitted to the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) for approval. The Planning Department, in conjunction with other relevant agencies, will work to implement the Housing Element.