Starting 1969, California has required that all local governments (cities and counties) adequately plan to meet the housing needs of everyone in the community. California’s local governments meet this requirement by adopting housing plans as part of their “general plan” (also required by the state). General plans serve as the local government’s “blueprint” for how the city and/or county will grow and develop and include seven elements: land use, transportation, conservation, noise, open space, safety, and housing. California’s housing-element law acknowledges that, in order for the private market to adequately address the housing needs and demand of Californians, local governments must adopt plans and regulatory systems that provide opportunities for (and do not unduly constrain) housing development. As a result, housing policy in California rests largely on the effective implementation of local general plans and, in particular, local housing elements. – CA Department of Housing and Community Development

On November 24, 2021, the Los Angeles City Council acted to adopt the 2021-2029 Housing Element (CF 21-1230). Before the adopted Housing Element becomes final, the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD), the State’s oversight agency, must review and certify that the City of L.A.’s 2021-2029 Housing Element is compliant with state Housing Element Law. The City has submitted a copy of the adopted 2021-2029 Housing Element to HCD to initiate this step.

The Housing Department and City Planning collaboratively worked to create a bold Housing Element for the City of Los Angeles focused on expanding housing opportunities for all. The plan will set into motion a series of new policies and action steps that meaningfully address the housing shortage, maximize affordable housing, and create a more equitable distribution of housing across the city. The Housing Element addresses housing production strategies with focus on anti-displacement, housing stability and tenants’ protection policies. With the Housing Element adopted, the City can move to developing and adopting implementation programs as proposed in the housing element plan.