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Council briefed on RHNA transfer and housing-element process; city preliminarily allocated 5,114 units
Summary
Planning staff explained the required transfer of a portion of the county's RHNA to Mountain House and the city's obligation to prepare a state-certified housing element. SJCOG's proposed allocation to the city is 5,114 units across income bands; staff plans a formal RHNA-transfer request on Nov. 12 and to award a housing-element consultant in January 2026.
Planning consultants told council the state'mandated Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) must be transferred from the county to Mountain House because the city incorporated after the SJCOG allocation was adopted. SJCOG's methodology yields a suggested transfer of 5,114 units to Mountain House for the 2023'2031 cycle, with the allocation divided across income categories (approximately 2,129 lower-income units and 2,985 above-moderate units under the proposed assignment).
Consultants explained that RHNA requires the city to plan for the allocated units (demonstrate capacity and sites) but does not obligate the city to build them. The housing-element process will include a sites inventory, special-needs analysis, constraints analysis, and a set of programs and implementation steps. A state-certified housing element is also prerequisite to some state and federal grant programs.
Staff told council they will return Nov. 12 with a formal RHNA-transfer request and anticipated awarding a contract to prepare the housing element in January 2026. Council members asked about reusing underutilized sites versus planned vacant parcels; consultants said Mountain House's remaining planned buildout area simplifies the inventory but the element will also consider redevelopment/underutilized parcels when appropriate.
The consultants emphasized that certification by the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) requires rigorous documentation and iterative responses; staff urged council that certification unlocks grant eligibility and recommended proceeding with consultant selection and public engagement.
