REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: JENNIFER CLARK, Director
Planning and Development Department
PHILIP SKEI, Assistant Director
Planning and Development Department
BY: MARIA CAMBRON, Housing Finance Manager
Planning and Development Department
SUBJECT
Title
HEARING to receive public comment on the 2024 Housing Element Annual Progress Report
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that City Council:
1. Hold a public hearing to receive public comment on the 2024 Housing Element Annual Progress Report; and
2. Accept the 2024 Housing Element Annual Progress Report.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
In accordance with Section 65400 of the California Government Code, local jurisdictions are required to submit an annual Housing Element (HE) Annual Progress Report (APR) that outlines the status of the City of Fresno’s 2023-2031 Housing Element and the progress made toward achieving its goals and policies. The 2024 APR covers the calendar year 2024, highlighting the City’s accomplishments in housing production and program implementation. The report must be submitted to the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) and the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research (OPR) by April 1st each year. The 2024 Housing Element APR is available online at: https://www.fresno.gov/planning/housing-community-development/#housing-finance-production <https://www.fresno.gov/planning/housing-community-development/>.
BACKGROUND
The Housing Element (HE) is one of the seven mandatory components of the General Plan and serves as the primary policy document for the City of Fresno, addressing housing development goals, policies, and programs. The current Housing Element, adopted for the 2023-2031 period, is designed to meet the housing needs of the City’s residents, ensure sufficient land availability for housing development, reduce constraints on housing production, and improve housing opportunities for special needs populations.
To comply with statutory requirements, the APR is organized into the following sections:
1. Table A - Housing Development Applications
2. Table A2 - Annual Building Activity Summary: New Construction, Entitled Units, Permits, and Completed Units
3. Table B - Regional Housing Needs: Permitted Units Issued by Affordability
4. Table C - Sites Identified or Rezoned to Accommodate Shortfall Housing Needs and No Net-Loss
5. Table D - Program Implementation Status
6. Table E - Commercial Development Bonus Approved
7. Table F - Units Rehabilitated, Preserved, and Acquired for Alternative Adequate Sites
8. Table F2 - Above Moderate-Income Units Converted to Moderate Income
9. Table G - Locally Owned Lands Included in the Housing Element Sites Inventory that have been Sold, Leased, or Otherwise Disposed of
10. Table H - Locally Owned Surplus Sites
11. Table J - Student Housing Development for Lower-Income Students Granted a Density Bonus Pursuant to Section 65915(b)(1)(F)
12. Table K - Tenant Preference Policy
13. Local Early Action Planning (LEAP) Reporting
The City of Fresno’s Housing Element, adopted in 2024 and certified by the State in January 2025, provides a comprehensive and coordinated strategy aimed at increasing the availability of safe, decent, and affordable housing for all residents. The Element, grounded in extensive community input and data, identifies key housing needs and establishes specific objectives, policies, and programs to address them. Spanning the years 2023 to 2031, the Housing Element includes 37 programs designed to achieve its objectives. The APR serves as a summary of the status of each of these programs for the 2024 calendar year, marking the conclusion of the sixth cycle of the Housing Element.
The City continues to make notable progress in implementing the 2023-2031 Housing Element’s goals, policies, and programs. Below are the key highlights from the 2024 Annual Progress Report.
2024 Annual Progress Report Highlights:
• Building Permits Issued: A total of 1,415 housing-related building permits were issued. Of these, 880 were for single-family homes, 87 for Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), 11 for mobile/manufactured homes, and 437 for multi-family dwelling units.
• Certificates of Occupancy: A total of 1,577 housing units received approval and finalization of certificates of occupancy.
• Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA): The City’s RHNA allocation for the 2023-2031 period is 36,866 housing units. As of 2024, 7% of the RHNA goal has been met, with a total of 2,428 units produced.
Status of Program Implementation Highlights:
• Local Housing Trust Fund: The City applied for $5 million in grant funding from California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) and actively engaged with the community to gather input.
• Down Payment Assistance Program: Assisted over 41 families with down payment assistance through PLHA funds, providing up to $100,000 per family.
• Landlord Voucher Incentive Program: Fresno Housing successfully added 88 new landlords, placed 256 families, and increased the number of Housing Choice Voucher holders in high-opportunity areas to 339.
• Local Mobile Home Park: Conducted 579 proactive maintenance inspections and launched the City’s Mobile Home Repair Program to support park residents.
• Public Infrastructure Projects: Completed 71 public infrastructure projects, with a total value of approximately $91 million, including parks, trails, active transportation initiatives, and neighborhood street improvements.
• Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs): Approved planning applications for 85 ADUs, issued 82 building permits, and completed 16 units.
Public Notice for March 27, 2025 Council Hearing:
A legal notice was published in the Fresno Bee to inform the public about the upcoming City Council hearing scheduled for March 27, 2025. The notice provided information regarding the availability of the APR and invited the public to submit comments. Additionally, the notice was sent to the City’s 750-person email list of residents interested in housing and planning issues.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
Pursuant to Section 15378 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, this item does not qualify as a “project” and is therefore exempt from the requirements of CEQA.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference does not apply to this item, as it does not involve a bid or award for construction or services contracts.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no direct impact on the City’s General Fund as a result of this action.
Attachments:
City of Fresno’s 2024 Housing Element Annual Progress Report
PowerPoint Presentation