McFarland council adopts 6th-cycle housing element, clears way for grant eligibility

The McFarland City Council on a unanimous vote approved Resolution 2025-14 adopting the city—s 6th-cycle 2023–2031 housing element.

The document, presented by Senior City Planner Brianna Heade Veil Leon, assesses local housing needs and lays out goals, objectives, policies and programs the city will use to meet its regional housing needs allocation. "The updated housing element would open doors for grant applications through California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD)," Heade Veil Leon said, noting HCD—s January 8 letter that the draft met statutory requirements.

The housing element plan, she said, went through multiple rounds of review with HCD, was posted for public review and comment, and was recommended to the council by the planning commission on Feb. 12. Mayor Yoon moved to open and close the public hearing with no speakers; there was no public testimony on the item.

Motion: Councilmember Gonzales moved approval; Vice Mayor Cano seconded. Roll call recorded Mary Young (Aye), Vice Mayor Cano (Aye), Councilmember Gonzales (Aye), Councilmember Perez (Aye) and Mayor Yoon (Aye). The motion passed.

Officials said the city does not expect a direct fiscal cost from adopting the housing element; staff noted it "benefits us because now we can apply for certain grants that require us to have an active housing element." The planner said final materials will be submitted to HCD for the final review and processing.

Background: Under California law, jurisdictions must maintain an up-to-date housing element describing how they will accommodate their regional housing needs. City staff told the council the element aligns with the 2040 McFarland General Plan and will be used to support grant applications.

The council—s approval completes the local adoption step required before the city files final materials with HCD.