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La Habra Heights Takes Steps Toward Housing Law Compliance: What It Means for Residential Construction
Nov 19, 2024
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Author: SanCo Developments
Published: 3:50 PM PDT November 19, 2024
Updated: 4:37 PM PDT November 19, 2024
California has reached a pivotal agreement with the City of La Habra Heights to address the state’s pressing housing crisis. This settlement marks a significant turning point for a city that, until now, permitted only single-family homes and lacked provisions for multifamily or affordable housing. The agreement mandates the city to plan for 244 housing units, with 164 units designated as affordable for low- and very-low-income households.
A Step Forward for Housing Equity
Under pressure from California’s Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) and Attorney General Rob Bonta, La Habra Heights agreed to submit a compliant housing element. This step ensures the city contributes to statewide efforts to address housing shortages, particularly for lower-income families.
Attorney General Bonta emphasized the importance of the agreement, stating:
“The City of La Habra Heights has done the right thing. Instead of continuing to skirt California’s housing laws, the city has agreed to fulfill its legal obligation to plan for 244 housing units. My office will not rest until every local government in California plans for the future and addresses the housing crisis.”
Implications for La Habra Heights
Designated as a high-opportunity jurisdiction, La Habra Heights offers significant potential for families seeking quality housing options. However, its prior zoning laws restricted the development of affordable or multifamily housing. The city’s delay in adopting a compliant housing element past the October 2021 deadline led to penalties, including the loss of eligibility for state housing and homelessness funds and exposure to the Builder’s Remedy.
The Builder’s Remedy allows developers to bypass local zoning restrictions to construct affordable housing, giving builders greater flexibility to meet the community’s housing needs. Until the city fulfills its obligations, it cannot block these projects, effectively opening the door to new opportunities for developers and construction companies like SanCo Developments.
What This Agreement Means for Construction
The settlement between La Habra Heights and the state creates exciting possibilities for residential construction. By adopting a compliant housing element, the city will be required to facilitate multifamily and affordable housing projects. This move not only addresses critical housing shortages but also diversifies housing options in a community historically limited to single-family homes.
For companies like SanCo Developments, this shift represents a chance to contribute to transformative projects that align with the state’s housing goals. High-opportunity areas such as La Habra Heights offer a unique chance to create impactful developments that cater to families of all income levels while enhancing community resources.
Looking Ahead
La Habra Heights joins other cities, including San Bernardino, Coronado, Malibu, and Fullerton, in settling housing compliance disputes with California. As HCD Director Gustavo Velasquez stated:
“This agreement is a reminder that every city, regardless of size, must do its part to address California’s housing needs. Once La Habra Heights adopts a compliant housing element, it will open the door for multifamily and affordable housing, creating new opportunities for families in this high-resource community.”
At SanCo Developments, we remain committed to building quality housing that meets the needs of California’s diverse communities. As La Habra Heights prepares to embrace multifamily and affordable housing, we look forward to exploring new opportunities to contribute to its growth and development. Together, we can build a brighter future for all Californians.
